Varnishing new floor boards

youth_leader

Thank you very much Bendy_House.  I've got the bigger back bedroom to do tomorrow, I'll be more generous as you suggest.  I have watched about ten videos but unfortunately they are using a coloured varnish.  

youth_leader

I just wanted to give you a chuckle. 

As the floor replacement was so expensive, I was determined to do everything 'properly' and do two coats, sand, then a third coat. I'm using clear varnish.

I had a young handyman here yesterday, who gave the two bedrooms the first coat of varnish with the 4" brush. The bedrooms are 10' 6" x 13', and 12' x 15' 6". It took him just over an hour and a half.  He was worth every penny.

Two hours later I started the second coat on the bigger of the bedrooms, with the brush.  It took me far longer than the handyman, at least an hour and a half. I was boiling hot in the mask, the knees had worn out of my paper overalls, everything hurt especially my bottom.

As my furniture was coming back on Friday I knew I had to second coat the smaller bedroom but could hardly move. 

The mops I'd ordered hadn't arrived and I couldn't face kneeling with the brush, then I remembered I'd bought a foam roller and stick.

I just poured the varnish into the tray and rollered it all over the floor like a demon, think it took 20 minutes.  Way to go!

Not sanding and doing a third coat.  Shoes off at the front door in future for everyone! 

GDB2222

Pleased it's going well. Personally, I'd slosh on the varnish, and get it done. You can agonise (literally!) over getting it done perfectly, but good enough seems to work very well. 

If you are doing a lot of kneeling, then Vitrex 338160 Tiling Knee Pads are very good, They cost around £10, Or, an old cushion or pillow. 

youth_leader

Thank you for all the encouragement everyone. 

I've finally finished the three coats on the hall, and hope I never have to do a job like it again.  The Evri man arrived just in time with the mops while the second coat was drying, so I had an easy sand with the pole sander, then a quick mop over for the third coat.

Thanks for the mop and knee pad recommendation GDB2222, as everything is packed I couldn't access any cushions or pillows.  Bed coming back on Monday, I can't wait, this blow up bed has done the job but such a struggle to get off it.

GDB2222

So you spent hours on your knees without any sort of padding? You are very brave. 

youth_leader

Stupid of me, I have deep red marks on both knees, I've grazed my toe joints, and my middle finger knuckle is bruised.  I've been in the varnishing wars!