Varnish for floorboards, Which is best?

Lady_K

Poppy9 wrote: »

It goes on quickly and easily. I just used a paint brush and did the whole room (about 30ft long by 15ft wide) in about 1 hour. I repeated the next day. It wasn't tacky or slippery. I didn't polish the floor because it didn't need it. To keep it clean I sweep it or hoover it and I use a wooden floor mop from Wilkinsons. Any spills I just wipe up with a damp cloth.

Thanx it sounds great I'm going to order some but not sure from which site yet as its sold on a few some are cheaper than others.

I was thinking about ordering an application brush but it you say an ordinary paintbrush is ok I'll use that as getting all the other bits bumps it up. I didnt know wether to get the maintenance kit too but is it really necessary?

So it would be ok just to apply twice then not do any of the polishing stuff then and thats it?

It said about a brush cleaner but I suppose its cheaper to use a painbrush and throw it away than bother with that.

The room is about 12ft by 12ft give or take and I was thinking of getting the smaller tin but I will prob need the 2.5 lt by the looks of it.

Did you wash the floor first? as theres prob a lot of dust from foam backed underlay that was on before and my stepmujm said to wash it first

Poppy9

I bought mine from my local painter and decorators trade shop as they give 10% discount to Council employees so paid about £40 for the big tin. The SA told me he had used it and put in on with a sweeping brush. Only when I came to apply it did I realise how easy it goes on and could see that it could be done with a big brush. I used a large paintbrush from a multi pack. You don't have to worry about going in a certain direction or brush marks as there aren't any. It's very liquid, more so than paint, so the application is quick and easy. In between 1st and 2nd coat I put brush in cling film without washing and it was fine the next day.

I didn't buy any other cleaning or maintenance products as we had just sanded the floor in the room as we had put down some reclaimed oak flooring in the extension and wanted the floor to match. I wet mopped the floor the previous day to get up all the dust from sanding.

I have recommended this product to a few friends and they are all amazed at how easy it is to use and how far the tin goes. When you've used it come back and tell us how good it was as you will never varnish anything again. It really brings out the best in the wood as I was worried that my oak floor would stay too white after sanding and not go back to the lovely mellow colour it was before. The wax though put the warmth back into it without having to stain it.

Lady_K

Yes I'll come back and tell you what I think of it, might not be for a little while though as I'm up to my neck in the decorating yet and then the floor is going to have to be done by one half of the room first then the other half after so really I'll have 4 drying times to wait for. It's because I cant move the bed out of the room or a big desk that cant be moved either

Lady_K

I realised I never came back to say how I found the polyx oil on my floorboards. I loved it! The ease of use and maintenance is brilliant, so many pluses for this product compared to varnish, well there is no comparison really and its almost maddness for anyone to use varnish when this stuff is around. I used 2 coats and it was perfect for me the finish is beautifull and I have not had to touch it up at all in over a year. I've dragged furniture over it, sat on a computer chair and wheeled over the other side of the room on it, and the morning of the second coat going on I was walking all over it with no stickiness or tackiness and had a step ladder in the middle of the room sorting the light fitting out, I couldnt believe how quick I could walk on it with total confidence. It is totally stain proof and water resistant, there has even been blood on it which just wiped away. You use it, and forget it, no concerns about rubbing down to maintain, its just a dream.

I am now about to try the coloured one to do my dining room as I want it to match my wood. I think I will try the walnut but its a different name to this polyx oil so I hope its as good. Its the 'Osmo wood wax stain' Am I right in thinking its the only thing I'll need and not a top coat of the polyx too?

Just wanted to add I just used an ordinary wilko value paintbrush to apply the polyx oil and there really is no need to buy any special brush you dont see any brushmarks at all and I love the way that the osmo becomes part of the wood and not something that sits on the surface like varnish does. Its more expensive than varnish to buy but by far the least expensive in the long run.

I would highly recommend osmo polyx and hope once I try the osmo wood wax stain I will be able to say the same about that. If anyone has tried the stainer waxes please let me know your experience.

Lady_K

Has anyone tried any of the colour wax stainers or similar? I'm still looking into it and don't know which is the best to use or if I need to get the polyx to do a coat or 2 on top of the stain. Theres the 'wood wax stain' on vannilla woods and I found another product on a different site that I'm not sure if its the same product or not but on vannilla woods its not saying that you have to use the polyx oil on top or not but the other one does. I also want to know about touching up these stained waxes if its as easy as just the polyx oil.

I want to do mine either walnut or dark oak has anyone used these stain products please?

http://www.vanillawoodfloors.co.uk/index.php?cPath=24_79_81

http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/wood-finishes/wood-waxes/osmo-wood-wax-finish-transparent.htm#colour-tab-jump

salbot

I used Wilko's own brand, it has been great for me - am sure others will disagree but I have been impressed with it.

trevort_2

I've down a few floors and the best I've found is Aqualac - got it from Screwfix last time. Water based, hard wearing (dining room/playroom & kids bedroom) and quick drying - second coat withi few hours and hardened within 24.
Also, and the bit I really liked:j , was it is much cheaper than varnish or polyurethane finishes (but just as hard).

john0612

i use dulux diamond glaze, it's not cheap at £90something for a gallon tin , but it's x10times tougher.

never let me down.

aaron772

I used aqualac from screwfix its pretty good and applies really well..

____________________________
Dont be too quick to judge

Hippygirl

Lady_K wrote: »

Has anyone tried any of the colour wax stainers or similar? I'm still looking into it and don't know which is the best to use or if I need to get the polyx to do a coat or 2 on top of the stain. Theres the 'wood wax stain' on vannilla woods and I found another product on a different site that I'm not sure if its the same product or not but on vannilla woods its not saying that you have to use the polyx oil on top or not but the other one does. I also want to know about touching up these stained waxes if its as easy as just the polyx oil.

I want to do mine either walnut or dark oak has anyone used these stain products please?

http://www.vanillawoodfloors.co.uk/index.php?cPath=24_79_81

http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/products/wood-finishes/wood-waxes/osmo-wood-wax-finish-transparent.htm#colour-tab-jump

Just wondered whether you had done your floor and tried these stains, and if so what you thought?

I am about to sand 2 floors and it looks as though this will be the product to try. I was planning on using the osmo polyx in the bedroom, but wondering about using the light oak in the sitting room and on the stairs as these boards are a bit uneven (both colour and levels) and I thought a stain might help to disguise this.