Problems with Rubio Monocoat

6 years ago

We had our 40 year old red oak floors professionally sanded to 100 grit and then pole sanded with a 120 grit screen. We applied Rubio Monocoat Bourbon with a buffer and red pads and seemed to get all of the excess off with a buffer using white pads and following up with the white buffer pad with cotton towels. However the end result is very blotchy. It does not seem to be cloudy as many people report but it appears the wood itself has shinier spots than others and seems related to the grain of the wood. We don't know if it is an unevenness in the wood fibers/grain or possibly uneven sanding. Possibly parts of the same board taking up more finish than other parts? We are wondering if applying a second coat of rubio would help or hurt the problem. Does anyone have suggestions as to what the problem is and how we may correct it? Currently it is difficult to get a picture showing the issue but I will try in the daylight. Thank you for your input and help in deciphering this problem.

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PRO

G & S Floor Service

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

If, the floor looks thirsty, apply a second coat. That will even out the uneven sheen. Also, it's possible you have uneven sanding with the 120 grit. You may have areas that have more closed pores with the 120 grit. And more open pores with the 100 grit.

Contractors should not be cleaning off the finish with cotton towels. He/she is probably removing the finish, before it can penetrate. There are different types of buffing pads that can be used. The final cleaning should be with a white "polishing" buffer pad. Polishing pads are much more dense pads which reduces slings.

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Comments (13)

PRO
Rubio Monocoat USA
6 years ago
Debbie,

We're sorry to hear you're having issues with your floors. Our technical dept is available to assist you in finding the proper course of action to take. They can be reached at 844-937-6862 Option 1 and are available M-F from 8-5 Eastern.
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Can I get my white oak floors this white color using rubio monocoat?
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Pallman is fine. There are two things I would change: Humidity - it is at the lower end of acceptable. Even though 35% is allowed, it is still going to show some problems with splitting and checking. Please get it up to 45% - 50%. That will really, really, really help the wood look health and beautiful. This should be done SLOWLY. About 5% increase every 7 days or so. Ditch the Minwax. It is low-end DIY stuff. If Pallmant makes stains, then get them to work with Pallman stains. Get them to redo the colour patches for you to decide on your colour...again going with a coat of finish over the stain patch so that you can see the depth of colour. That's it. They are stepping up and fixing a finish that was really rough. They buffed three times (I'm assuming the buffing was between every coat) and yet they still came up with a rough finish. So they are doing it over. Very nice. You have an stand-up group of guys there. If they won't switch out the Minwax - it probably isn't a huge deal. Many refinishers like to work with Minwax because the stains have remained the same for DECADES. I'm not a fan, but oil based stains work with oil based finishes all the time. The HUMIDITY is going to be your challenge as a homeowner. If you can bump it up to 45%, you will have a much happier floor. Much, much happier floor.
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Weve had Rubio on our floors and stairs for years, without a single issue! We’ve got kids and hunting dogs, so we are not easy on our floors This type of finish is also the most common in the world while what we do here in the states is not Most of the stains see in photos in this thread could be fixed in seconds with the rubio tanin remover. Any saying the rubio maintenance products are expensive dont realize the large bottle of soap will last a life time, as you use a cap full or less and not with every cleaning. it is important to understand that the look will be very different then the standard shinny floor you see in the U.S., rubio is basicall dead flat finish If you want gloss dont get rubio Also its far more repairable the a standard built-up finish Get a scratch on a rubio floor and you can hand sand it and put more rubio on Scratch a built-up finish and you have to refinish the whole floor Ill take rubio every time!
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Please share your Rubio Monocoat floor pictures with me :)
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Comments (5)
I have white oak floors, and used just “white” —as I recall cotton white has some yellow in it. Not sure how it will go on top of red oak, but I am sure you will try a sample in a closet or some obscure place? I love this product. I had just a natural polyurethane on red oak in a prior house and though pretty, they showed a lot of dust and dog hair. I cleaned religiously on my hands and knees every week. With these, I vacuum weekly and use a very mild cleaner from Rubio or just a damp rag, monthly. Be sure you do two coats. I only did one the first time and had a lot of problems with kitchen stains, ater, etc. the second coat did the trick! I just realized these photos aren’t great, I will try and take some more closer when I get home.
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That is not an appropriate protective cabinet finish. Not even close. You need one of the Italian 2Ks. Cabinets should be finished before installing.
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Greg Kaminski
4 years ago
Our Rubio Monocoat finished floors look beautiful - except where food or beverages are spilled. In these locations, the floor looks terrible. See photos of stains. These are everywhere in our kitchen and a various locations elsewhere.

I see Rubio Monocoat USA is commenting in this thread. I've heard that you plan to introduce a coating to solve this problem. Is this true?
PRO
Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Again another Rubio failure. We’re seeing this more and more out there in the field. I’d reccommend sanding it all down and choosing another finish that is better suited for you. I also see Rubio is on damage control because they won’t man up and fix or reimburse homeowners. Rubio Monocoat even with two coats still won’t perform much better. Spot repairs as they claim aren’t that easy at all. They really need to pull off the market until they come out with a viable finish. $250-$275 a litre that covers 300-500 sq ft is quite rediculous. Bottom line is do your research please folks !!
PRO
Rubio Monocoat USA
4 years ago
Greg, the results you are experiencing are not typical results. Wood floor finish failure can be caused by a number of variables. Our customer service team would be happy to help assess the cause and identify the best way to move forward. They are available M-F from 8am-4pm central time via Live Chat, phone or email. 844-ZERO-VOC (937-6862) info@rubiomonocoatusa.com.

In response to your question about another coating being introduced, it is not something in the works. Our finish has been successfully used in the United States for over 10 years now. When applied and maintained properly, our finish has been successful in both residential and commercial applications.
PRO
Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd
4 years ago
Here’s another Rubio failure forum running right now...
PRO
Rubio Monocoat USA
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
We are happy to help anyone who has problems with Rubio Monocoat products.

Live Chat: Access

Phone: 844-ZERO-VOC (937-6862)

Email: info@rubiomonocoatusa.com

It is our policy not to argue with our competitors on social platforms, but for those looking for assistance, we are here and happy to discuss our products with anyone.
Stacy Jastram
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Another rubio failure. Used it on my butcherblock- looked great. Had to "repair" a couple of areas. Sanded those areas with 60, 80, 100, 120, and water popped as sugested. Newly sanded areas will not accept the color. What a mess. I dont want white birch areas in my dark brown counter tops. If sanding as directed to bare wood wont get the wood to accept more oil, I am going to be stuck with crappy birch colored countertops.

Wish I had gone with a different product.
PRO
ULTIMATE HARDWOOD LTD
4 years ago
Rubio is junk. Its not food safe especially if it’s a coloured oil. Sand it off and go with odies oil clear. Sand upto whatever grit you want and don’t waterpop.
PRO
Rubio Monocoat USA
4 years ago
Stacy, have you reached out to customer service? We would be happy to assist with troubleshooting. Support is available M-F from 8am-4pm central.

Live Chat: Access

Phone: 844-ZERO-VOC (937-6862)

Email: info@rubiomonocoatusa.com
Odies User
4 years ago
Rubio is garbage. They wont help.
kimcartyjd
3 years ago
I agree! We noticed problems with Rubio right away. It is a thin layer with no sealer that scratched when we slid a box across the floor and the box was on a protective thin layer of cardboard. Our 20 pound dogs have scratched the floor and, since we have gone through a full year of seasons, it is apparent that the color did not penetrate the sides of the boards. Our floors didn't even last a few months! I CANNOT recommend them at all.
PRO
Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd
3 years ago
i wish I could help you out Kim smh

Problems with Rubio Monocoat

G & S Floor Service

Comments (13)

Rubio Monocoat USA

Related Discussions

Greg Kaminski

Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd

Rubio Monocoat USA

Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd

Rubio Monocoat USA

Stacy Jastram

ULTIMATE HARDWOOD LTD

Rubio Monocoat USA

Odies User

kimcartyjd

Luxury Wide Plank Floors Ltd

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