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It's time to
stain when the sanding, buffing, vacuuming, and clean up is completed.
The
following instructions deal with oil-based stain, not water-born stain. If
you are using water-born stain, you will need to water-pop the floor prior
to staining. To water-pop is to slightly dampen the floor in the same manner
as you stain the floor, from wall to wall, in 2 - 3 foot sections. When it
is dry, then you stain the floor.
Oil-based
Staining
Many paint
stores sell pigmented stains. It is essential to stir pigment from the
bottom of the can thoroughly, mixing well to avoid a multi-color result. You
should stir any stain thoroughly, regardless. I like to dump my stain into a
larger container to keep it from splashing on the walls and other items in
the area I'm working in. In that way, you can combine containers of stain to
maintain color consistency on the floor.
Recommended Tools:
-Cotton
material t-shirts or rags
-Throw-away china bristle brushes
-Interior Pad Painter or lambs wool
-Non-marking Knee pads
-Respirator (as pictured to the left)
Work in
rectangular sections of the floor, 2 - 3 feet wide, from wall to wall, in
the same direction as the boards run, with the grain. This is essential
because otherwise stain irregularities can occur. Don't get ahead in wetting
the edges with stain before the middle areas.
Use the
brush to wet the edges, being careful to avoid trim and walls. Use the pad
painter or lambs wool to fill in the middle. Your goal is to get the entire
section wet with stain, and then wipe it dry completely with a cotton
rag.
Wipe on -
wipe off! Keep moving across the room, working your way out the door or exit
from the area.
Allow stain
to dry at least 4 hours or overnight before walking on, working with, or
using the floor any further.
Anytime you walk on or
otherwise use the floor after staining, extreme care should be used in
keeping it clean, dry, and dust-free. Debris or moisture can easily be
brought in from the bottom of your shoes, for example, with bad results.
From Staining to Finishing
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