Hi,

Will be purchasing a new house in which the wooden floors aren't in the
greatest of shape. As it's been a very long time since
I thought about this, would like to ask:

a. Is Polyurethane still the coating of choice ?

- If so, for a living and dining room floor, what do most folks use:
semi-gloss, or... ?

b. Is there any consensous on a "best brand" ?

c. After an initial thorough sanding, how many coats are usually applied
for a living or dining room ?

d. Is it necessary to (lightly) re-sand between ?

e. How long, typically, is the drying time for, between coats ?

Much thanks,
Bob

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 20:00:56 -0500, "Robert11"
wrote:

Hi,

Will be purchasing a new house in which the wooden floors aren't in the
greatest of shape. As it's been a very long time since
I thought about this, would like to ask:

a. Is Polyurethane still the coating of choice ?

Not for me, I prefer McCloskey GymSeal. It's durable, easy to work
with, repairable, isn't totally foul smelling, and adds an amber tint
via some Tung Oil. Waterlox is great, as well. Either is about $44
a gallon and applied with a lambs wool applicator pre-rinsed in
mineral spirits. I also use the same products on trim.


- If so, for a living and dining room floor, what do most folks use:
semi-gloss, or... ?

I prefer Satin, which is glossier in Gymseal than Satin poly, more
similar to semi-gloss.

c. After an initial thorough sanding, how many coats are usually applied
for a living or dining room ?

With GS, I use 3 for new wood, 2 for an existing floor. I also prefer
an orbital 12x18 pad sander, NOT a belt sander. It's slower, but
almost foolproof. Big belt sanders have a learning curve. G

d. Is it necessary to (lightly) re-sand between ?

Yes. I use a PC ROS and 220 grit discs, to very lightly sand. On my
hands and knees, I can scuff a 150 sq/ft room in about 15 minutes. I
also wipe the floor with mineral spirits after each sanding, including
the bare wood.

e. How long, typically, is the drying time for, between coats ?

One coat a day. It's a varnish, so the floor should be kept over 65
degrees, 70 is better. A 70 or above, you can walk on it in socks in
about 8 hrs.

Barry

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Will be purchasing a new house in which the wooden floors aren't in the
greatest of shape. As it's been a very long time since
I thought about this, would like to ask:

a. Is Polyurethane still the coating of choice ?

Polyurethane is very good. I like Varathane brand myself.

- If so, for a living and dining room floor, what do most folks use:
semi-gloss, or... ?

Depends on how much dust you want to show. :-) Generally speaking, the
higher the gloss, the more dust will show. I use semi-gloss.


b. Is there any consensous on a "best brand" ?

They're all pretty tough. I'd go with oil base though and stay away from
water base. Water base doesn't seem to bring out the color of the wood and
it looks flatter than oil base. I really do like Varathane brand best I
suppose.


c. After an initial thorough sanding, how many coats are usually applied
for a living or dining room ?

I use 4 thinned coats. Thinning allows it to flatten better and makes sure
all the bubbles come out. I thin about 25%. You can use a roller or a
lambs wool 9 inch applicator. If you use a roller, you have to thin to
avoid bubbles and a rough finish, with the lambs wool it's not necessary to
thin.

d. Is it necessary to (lightly) re-sand between ?

Yes! Use 220grit on a pad sander or an ROS sander. Don't over do it. You
just want to knock the rough stuff off.

e. How long, typically, is the drying time for, between coats ?

Depends on your temperature and air circulation. Give it at least a day.
Corners/edges take the longest to cure as they usually get less air
circulation. If it balls up at all when you sand, it's not cured so give it
some more time. You don't want to rush it. I vaccum and tack rag after
each sanding. Make sure you do this really good before the first coat too.

Bryan

In article ,
"DamnYankee*******" wrote:

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Will be purchasing a new house in which the wooden floors aren't in the
greatest of shape. As it's been a very long time since
I thought about this, would like to ask:

a. Is Polyurethane still the coating of choice ?

Polyurethane is very good. I like Varathane brand myself.

Last time I did a floor in the home we moved into 16 years ago, I
lightly sanded the dining room and living room and then used a product
"Last and Last" poly that a buddy who is a Luthier told me about and it
lived up to his raves. Not sure if it's made anymore.


- If so, for a living and dining room floor, what do most folks use:
semi-gloss, or... ?

Depends on how much dust you want to show. :-) Generally speaking, the
higher the gloss, the more dust will show. I use semi-gloss.

Semi-Gloss and matte finishes do have a rougher top surface when they
dry. So, they catch more dust and dirt which in the long run grinds down
the finish faster. I've had both satin and gloss and I'll take gloss any
time. Gloss also gives a richer color to the floor.


b. Is there any consensous on a "best brand" ?

They're all pretty tough. I'd go with oil base though and stay away from
water base. Water base doesn't seem to bring out the color of the wood and
it looks flatter than oil base. I really do like Varathane brand best I
suppose.


c. After an initial thorough sanding, how many coats are usually applied
for a living or dining room ?

I use 4 thinned coats. Thinning allows it to flatten better and makes sure
all the bubbles come out. I thin about 25%. You can use a roller or a
lambs wool 9 inch applicator. If you use a roller, you have to thin to
avoid bubbles and a rough finish, with the lambs wool it's not necessary to
thin.

With the "Last and Last" brand I never thinned the stuff. But I also
didn't use the lambs wool either as it gave loads of bubbles. I took and
old paint roller and got one of the red colored, short nap
rollers(mohair"????) and jammed a small nail in so it could not rotate
and used that to coat the floor and had no bubbles, marks etc.


d. Is it necessary to (lightly) re-sand between ?

Yes! Use 220grit on a pad sander or an ROS sander. Don't over do it. You
just want to knock the rough stuff off.

e. How long, typically, is the drying time for, between coats ?


Depends on your temperature and air circulation. Give it at least a day.
Corners/edges take the longest to cure as they usually get less air
circulation. If it balls up at all when you sand, it's not cured so give it
some more time. You don't want to rush it. I vaccum and tack rag after
each sanding. Make sure you do this really good before the first coat too.

Bryan

--
Thanks,
Ham