And the Winner of the BEST Wood Finishing Product Award Is…
Gettin’ ready to stain and urethane the floor after sanding it. I was looking at the wide variety of products available, looking and looking on the internet, and felt that familiar feeling of confusion come over me.
Last time I re-did a floor, it was a lot easier — there were only a handful of products at the time. Not so now. Boy, oh boy!
Then I got to thinkin’ of you guys, and thought I’d bend your ear and ask for your opinions, tales of woe and triumph.
So, let’s hear it. What type, what Brand Name, what Finish, etc., are you most happy/unhappy with. What would you use in your house? What would you tell your best friend to use in their house? What would you use in your mother-in-law’s house!!???? (that oughta get some good responses!)
Megan
and Gabby, the cat
Replies
oil base poly....three coats, fourth if wood looks dry or in housing areas with sand or higher wear situations. If oil stain is used, apply to sanded floor and rag off, park job for next day to allow cure of stain.
Lenmar good quality, excellent flow / leveling characteristics
Fabulon bit more durable, little more money
Use gloss for first coat, hardest poly for durability, next two coats your choice, gloss, semi or satin. satin most popular, shows damage the least....use of gloss first coat also reduces chance of opaque look that can occur w three coats of satin. don't use sanding sealers, they are a softer poly to make screeninging easier after first coat, less durable, good for installer not so good for you....don't not thin poly with mineral spririts etc., weakens finish
water borne....
Trek Plus by absolute coatings, new rochelle ny
commercial grade coating....non-yellowing formula (reason for lot of refinishes is dark ambered up color of old poly)
one coat their non-yellowing XL sealer (not needed if a stain has been applied to wood, but park stain job one day to cure up)
then three coats of Trek Plus...they say can use two coats, but third coat brings out the floor. inexspensive for third coat, each successive coat takes less chemical as surface is already sealed and leveled out
sealer doesn't seem to have the coverage they say, so get extra gallon, trek plus poly goes farther than the 450sf on label, 500-550sf
Ok, let me ask specifics.
How about Minwax? Any nay-sayers or supporters?
Or how do you feel about Perma products?
I see that Benjamin Moore has a product, too.
I have pretty much decided on Solvent-based (instead of water-based) unless I hear otherwize.
So, whatcha think? Who's urethane or polyurethane is best? Whose should be avoided? And does it matter who's stain is used underneath?
I am curious about what you all say about the Wood Conditioners that are supposed to make the stain go on better.
I know there are some opinions out there, and a lot of darned good expertise, and I am sure looking forward to reading it all!
Megan (Gabby is still here, too!)