I hate my newly finished floors! Any options?

3 years ago

We made a terrible mistake on our floors. We purchased and had a pro install beautiful wide plank wire brushed white oak floors. We knew we did not want it stained, but rather a natural look finish. When our contractor advised us to choose a product, he showed us samples of oil based and water based polyurethane. The lighting was not the best, and the colors looked relatively similar...

We went with oil-based based on his recommendations surrounding durability. We should have done more research, as we realize now we’ve made a mistake. Today we saw the finished floors and noticed the very yellow tones. It is not at all what we want.

Is there anything short of sanding and refinishing with a water-based poly that will help? And any ideas what percentage of the original install and finish job this might cost us.

My husband doesn’t like the look either but I think he could live with it. This is a new construction, and I don’t think I can.

I appreciate any advice at all.

Thank you.

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Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Average cost of a full sand/refinish = $5/sf. The fact your floors have been FRESHLY sanded, your refinisher will have an easy job of the 'sanding' part. They just need to knock off the finish, finish up with finishing grit and come back with an EXPENSIVE TWO PART water based polyurethane.

I POINT OUT the 2part (aka 2K products) water based products. The reason: EXCELLENT DURABILITY. These new/expensive options are TOUGHER than the traditional oil based finishes.

Personally I would find another refinisher if you do this again. The reason: the original guy didn't listen to you. I'm ASSUMING you pointed out you did NOT want ORANGE! Oil based finishes are SUPPOSED to turn orange. They all do. So if your first guy suggested 'oil based' when you did not want to have orange, then I would say there is a communication issue here.

The other part: the guy is not aware of the SUPER TOUGH products currently on offer. I'm guessing he suggested the 'durability' of the oil based. When you compare the durability of the BIG BOYS (Bona Traffic HD or Loba 2K Supra AT) of water based vs. oil based finishes, then you will find you guy is wrong.

And to be perfectly clear, the current 'yellow' you see on your floor today WILL TURN ORANGE in the next year or so. If you are going to pay the piper you might as well do it now.

I'm a 'cheap-@ss' which means I normally suggest 'living with' the work until it needs redoing. But in this case, since you DO NOT WANT ORANGE, I suggest you do it now.

And ask for a quote for Bona Traffic HD or Loba 2K Supra AT.... Do not settle for any other Bona (many use Mega = lowest level of finish = turns yellow and not tough) nor any other Loba option (EasyFinish is not even CLOSE to the 2K Surpa AT...I guarantee you will be SUPER upset with this one).
PRO
kandela
Original Author
3 years ago
Ok. That detail is amazing and I’m grateful. As a side note, the water-based finish we were originally offered was neither of the two products you mentioned. I’m kicking myself for not doing the research first. We are discussing with our contractor tomorrow. Thank you.
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G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
Hire someone that knows how to do wire-brushing.

After they strip the floor. They need to wire-brush it, then burnish it. To take off the rough edges caused from the wire-brushing.
widdy23
3 years ago
@SJ McCarthy - When I look at the Bona website, Bona Traffic states it is non-yellowing and the Bona Traffic Natural is the closest to natural look floors. I've heard so many good things about Bona Traffic HD - in your experience does it yellow or bring out pink tones in white oak flooring? We are trying to keep our floors as natural looking as possible and matte finish as well.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
Bona Traffic is the original 2part format for this water based finish. The Bona Traffic HD is the UPGRADE. It is SUPER TOUGH. Once you live with the toughness of the HD, it is HARD to accept the limitations of the regular Traffic.

If you want natural then go with the lower grade (still a great finish...but not as good as HD) Traffic Natural. If you want SUPER TOUGH then go with the HD.

This has already been pointed out. You must make a sacrifice. I can't make the decision for you. I hate matte (can be hard to live with). I love the look of 'raw' but I will NOT sacrifice durability. I just won't. Those are MY decisions. You must make yours.

The Bona Traffic HD comes in 'Commercial Extra-Matte'. As your refinisher if s/he can access the Commercial grade Extra-matte as the final coat. If s/he specializes in residential properties then s/he may not be aware of the commercial product.

Again, you will start your first coating with HD 'gloss' and HD 'gloss' and then the FINAL layer will HD extra-matte.

Please be aware that you might have to pay extra to work with the commercial grade HD extra matte. Be prepared for an updated quote being needed before starting the project.

https://www.bona.com/en-CA/Professional1/Hardwood-Floors/Coatings/Waterborne-Finishes-and-Sealers/Bona-Traffic-HD/

I hate my newly finished floors! Any options?

Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy

kandela
Original Author

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I hate my newly finished floors! Any options?

Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy

kandelaOriginal Author

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widdy23

SJ McCarthy

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kandela
Original Author