NT wrote:
On Aug 28, 3:31 pm, geraldthehamster wrote:
Will a clear polyeurethane varnish like Ronseal Diamond Hard bring
down the colour of newly sanded old pine floorboards?

In my last house I used a polyeurethane varnish (I wish I could
remember what, but I left the near-empty tin behind when we moved) on
sanded pine floorboards dating from 1908 (ie, they were nice and old
and seasoned). Obviously, when sanded, the boards had the colour of
new wood, but the varnish took this down to a pleasant golden colour.

I'm now in the latter stages of sanding the pine floorboards in the
hall of my new house, which were laid in 1963. They've come up well
with a belt sander. I want to varnish them with a hardwearing satin
or matt varnish, but would like to achieve the same golden colour as
on the previous occasion. I don't want to use a coloured varnish, or
to stain the wood if I can help it.

Has anyone used one of the modern water-based polyeurethane
varnishes, like Ronseal Diamond Hard, and if so, can you tell me if
they affect the colour of sanded pine floorboards? If not, what kind
of varnish would?

Regards
Richard

Stay away from tinted varnishes, as the floor wears normally the
varnish chips, and light marks on dark wood look awful.

Stain might get you what you want, but I prefer to leave them pale
initially and let them darken naturally. It doesnt take long to start
looking good, and the result is much better imho

You could try the old ploy of spraying a mild alkali over the boards, this
brings out that nice mellow colour in minutes. Half a teaspoon of caustic
soda to a litre of water in a plant sprayer, mist it over, allow to dry.
Works a treat.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk