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Keeping white oak white

seacoast property management consulting

6 years ago

Hello. I could use some advice and have searched hi and low on the web. (All the threads are old) I have white oak floors that have been sanded down to the natural wood. I love the lightness of the wood, but it turns yellow and darkens with water based and oil based poly. Is there someway to keep them white. If I seal the wood first then used water based poly, will that work? Other option I looked at is a low voc water based finish w a white tint like Rubio 5% or similar white tinted water base finish. (Bono traffic,etc) Can anyone tell me the best way to go? Help!

Featured Answer

PRO

Johnson Flooring Co Inc

6 years ago

Look into Bona NordicSeal followed by one of their non-yellowing urethanes. One or two coats of the sealer will yield you either a raw wood look or somewhat whiter. Making it white like your picture would require something more like bleaching and pickling.

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Comments (12)

User
6 years ago
Many woods turn color when aging, and white oak does. The best (of which I know) is to use a water based floor poly with a UV additive and limit direct sunlight on the floors.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
There are numerous ways to achieve it. Depends on your budget and what level white you are trying to achieve. Post your inspiration pictures to help narrow it down.
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PRO
seacoast property management consulting
Original Author
6 years ago
PRO
seacoast property management consulting
Original Author
6 years ago
Similar to this.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
NordicSeal would be the fastest way to go. Your contractor needs to know how to apply it. It's not an easy finish to repair.

The other alternatives is to use a hard wax oil system or stain and non-yellowing water base poly system. Like Johnson mentioned, bleaching may be required depending on the intensity you are trying to achieve. If, you really want it white, use sport line paint.
Amy Saivetz
6 years ago
I am using Bona Craft oil in Frost and when they show the sample on white oak it looks like what's in your picture.
PRO
seacoast property management consulting
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for all the great ideas. Think I will go with the Nordicseal. Hoping for the best. Also hoping it comes out a lighter white oak not looking white washed. (Worried about resell on a whitewashed floor in Massachusetts). I was able to see a sample and it looked pretty subtle. Also looked into Rubio 5% and Vermeister white. They were double the price and I wasn’t able to see a sample in person. I’ll share a photo when finished for others out there looking.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
6 years ago
Imessina12, If, you need help. We are located in the North Shore of Mass.
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
White Oak has "tannin pull" when exposed to water based polyurethane. If your HIGH END flooring professional uses a "sealant" prior to using the water based polyurethane (as is required over White Oak), you should be able to keep the pale look you currently see right now.

The SEALANT is the key to white oak + water based polyurethane.
PRO
seacoast property management consulting
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you!
bowmeister67
3 years ago
I am curious if you accomplished this and how and would love to see a photo of how they look 2 years later!

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