If it makes you nervous, you can look up the recipe for mixing Boiled Linseed Oil and Paraffin Wax. A good protectant, and as safe as any you're likely to find anywhere. I kind of like the idea that there's no "mystery" chemicals in it. I found this recipe after using a commercial mix last Spring on my hoophouse, a bit too late to help. Now the stuff I used is starting to flake off... but no problems other than that.

Since we sell Zar, I KNOW how good this stain is...for EXACTLY this use!! (Return all your Therma*** stuff...) To ME, it's easy to control ZAR's color. * Once the stain has dried a day, I'd use any good OIL Spar-Varnish. * MINIMUM FOUR COATS. * Even FPE-Varnishes implore you to stay on top of your Poly'd "exposed woods"...meaning...stay AHEAD of the UV-damage by lightly sanding and applying a maintenance-coat every few years. * Depending on actual sun-exposure, I wouldn't let a door go 3 "off" years without a maintenance coat or 2! * If it's an East or North door, you could easily have 5 or 6 "off" years! Faron

You need a stain that is high in pigment (to protect from the sun) and high in resin (to bind the pigment to the wood). Most box store stains have as little as 3.5% pigment and 20% resin. I recommend using Wood-Tux Stain & Seal which has 10% pigment and 55-60% resin. You are doing the right thing with the wrong product. Woodrich Brand also has a restoration kit and excellent tech support. Here is a link that might be useful: Woodrich Brand

Your floors will be a classic colour. Yes they are more orange than you would have liked, but they will tone down a bit with the water based polyurethane. Oak will fade when exposed to UV lighting. A water based polyurethane will NOT add colour (we call it ambering and it drives me to drink!). That means you will achieve a lighter, less 'orange' floor as the wood ages. As a classic colour, you will quickly be able to ignore it as a 'design' element. It will quickly become 'a floor'. Which is what it is supposed to be. It is supposed to be the hardest wearing surface in your home that will outlast every paint choice, every carpet choice, every decor fad on the market. When working with a classic colour, you will soon discover the benefits of the classic tones. They don't change. Classic is classic. I think you will be happy with this floor - just give it time to grow on you. And remember: do NOT add area rugs for at least 6 months. Let the floor 'tone down' all together.