Help with floor finish - Woodworking Talk

woodworks · 02-20-2008, 07:57 AM

Hello All
I just finished making & installing my own oak flooring in my kitchen. I would like some advice on what to finish it with. I want a clear finish with no stain. I really like the look of the plain oak. I would also like to keep the cost down as low as possible.
Also, is it possible to spray on the finish? This is my first floor project even though I have done woodworking & remodeling for over 35 yrs. I would like to have names of the brands that seem to have a commonality with most woodworkers.

Thank you for any and all help.

Big Dave · 02-20-2008, 08:51 PM

I just put the final coat of finish on 1100 square feet of pine flooring today. I use Bona Kemi's line of products. You will need to seal it with Bonaseal and then at least two coats of their Mega on top of that. It is a water based finish so I would use a natural stain. If you don't stain it with a natural stain then it will bleach out too much. Let it dry overnight then coat with the Bonaseal first. After about 5 hours you should be able to put the first coat of Mega on. I like to put three coats of Mega so the next morning I would put one more coat of Mega and stop there. I would finish all of your cabinets and trim and get everything done that could damage the floor before you put the last coat on. You will need to scuff the floor with about a 320 grit sandpaper. I use a maroon scotchbrite pad which is about the same grit. Vacuum, tack the floor with a lightly damp rag and put the last coat of Mega on. 8 hours after that you can walk on it and 48 hours after the last coat you can move furniture in. Make sure and use felt pads on all chairs and table legs.

If you have any other questions just ask.

woodworks · 02-21-2008, 08:54 AM

Thanks for the reply. I would ask where to get the finish from and what kind of stain you think I could use that will give the best look of natural oak. I really don't want anything dark or even near dark.

Big Dave · 02-21-2008, 09:17 AM

I buy mine locally from a place that sells hardwood floors. You could buy it online. A gallon covers about 400 square feet. Their website might tell you where you can purchase it locally.

http://www.bonakemi.com/mpdealers/mpd-masterep.asp

Any stain will work just buy what is called a natural stain. It doesn't have any pigment in it but it will help keep the water based finish from bleaching it out too much. You could buy the finish and test it on some scrap and if your happy with the look then don't bother staining at all but it's your call.