Varnishing new floor boards

youth_leader

I've done three coats and it still seems like bare wood?  

GDB2222

youth_leader said:

I've done three coats and it still seems like bare wood?  

Matt or gloss varnish? Which varnish?

Bendy_House

You mopped it all on. And then you mopped it all off

Photo?

youth_leader

Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish, satin, I stirred it really well for each coat. 

Mops haven't arrived yet so I used a 4" brush, left 2 hours between coats, and sanded lightly before coat 3.  

Just taken a photo on my phone, posting next.

youth_leader

Just has a very slight sheen.  Perhaps I wasn't applying it thick enough, are the boards supposed to be white?  I was brushing them down until it was clear? 

Wes121708

What look are you going? Is it the clear? I don't expect it would change it much.

GDB2222

You maybe ought to try some gloss varnish. 

Rosa_Damascena

Bendy_House said:

I'd now go with DRP's suggestion too...

You haven't started on it, have you, Yoof?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49V3lR1vFqw

 Want some of this stuff! 

Correction: I wish I'd known about it a fortnight ago and used it this summer. Satin finish for me!

GDB2222

Satin finish is a bit too subtle and sophisticated for me.

Bendy_House

youth_leader said:

Just has a very slight sheen.  Perhaps I wasn't applying it thick enough, are the boards supposed to be white?  I was brushing them down until it was clear? 

You probably have been brushing it out too thinly, but that's not a bad thing - that looks stunning.

Water-based varnish will tend to give a much lighter - less affected - finish to the timber, whereas oil-based will tend to 'yellow' it more.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting the finish 'perfect'. You are obviously going to a lot of trouble over this, even tho' it'll likely be covered over at some point. Just remind yourself that folk come in and see the overall effect of your wooden floor, and don't usually go down on their knees to check out the quality of de-nibbing.

It looks great - very natural. It'll change slowly over time, but that's all good too.

With the next room you do, apply it more generously, brushing it out to get it pretty even, but not out 'thinly'. See what it looks like when it dries, and take your cue on further coats from that.