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Flooring Design Dilemma

Bona sealer help?

3 years ago

I have ash floors that were laid recently and have never been stained. I am debating using Bona natural sealer to achieve the White Oak lighter look..like the photo I’ve posted

(hubby doesn’t like white or gray.) I’ve been mixing stains for many months and haven’t come up with any.

i was told to try Mono-coat Rubio product but hubby is not interested in all the maintenance with the oil finish. Help please 🙏🏻

Featured Answer

Timothy Winzell

3 years ago

To achieve that light brown on Ash you'll either have to stain or apply a custom tinted sealer/urethane. I don't think any of the Bona sealers would be that brown.

For a stain I'd suggest something like DuraSeal Golden Oak or maybe Chestnut diluted with natural. Either one would probably benefit from mixing in a bit of Country White to soften the look. Water popping before staining would reduce the graininess.

I have a finisher who tints Bona sealers and urethanes regularly though that would be my second choice. It may turn out you'll need to use a combination of the two processes, a custom stain topped with tinted clear coats. If it's hard to reduce the yellow tones from the Ash, a little purple tint can give it a more brown cast.

Comments (13)

Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
I’ve read a lot of your answers and you seem super knowledgeable in this regard @sjmccarthy Any tips? I’ve run out of ideas 😢
PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
Staining depends, on which color Ash you have.
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White Oak often requires a sealant....but that depends on the stain manufacturer. Some stains do NOT require a sealant (over white oak) whereas others MUST have sealant. As you can see, this gets weird really quickly. Did you know that Bona makes their own stains? Does your REFINISHER know this? Someone who has been trained on the Bona Systems (there are more than one...just for fun!) they will have ALL of this information already in their head! A two part polyurethane is much higher quality than a single component. Bona has several single components which the refinishers LOVE to use (because it makes them more money and are super easy to use) and Bona makes 2 part (2K) products that are difficult and expensive to use....but produce a far superior finish (as mentioned above). If you are not hearing what you want to hear...then find someone else. You are welcome to use the National Wood Flooring Association's website to find your nearest Certified Sander/Refinisher. These guys have all the training you could ever wish for. They will use whatever you choose - and do it properly. www.nwfa.org If you are not hearing what you want to hear...then find someone else. You are welcome to use the National Wood Flooring Association's website to find your nearest Certified Sander/Refinisher. These guys have all the training you could ever wish for. They will use whatever you choose - and do it properly. Please check your quote. An NWFA professional, using all the best finishes/stains/sealants will charge $5/sf. Anything less than that and you KNOW they are not fully aware of what they are using and are not fully aware of the work/costs ahead of them. It is a simple way to double check without confrontation.
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Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
it’s a range from pale straw to medium brown. After a year of being laid and no stain or sealer, the blonde pieces have gone yellow. We will sand before finishing. @G & S Floor Service
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
Looks like white Ash. Naturaseal will give you a nice pale look, no stain needed. If, you do add a stain. It will resemble much like stained oak.

White Ash has some yellowing to it. The Naturaseal will tone it down.
Stacey thanked G & S Floor Service
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
The above photo is a pic of our floors.
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
I called Bona yesterday and the fellow told me if I wet the wood with water that would be the colour. i tired that and my wood looked yellowish. what I’m really after is a natural finish with a hint of brown. All the natural stains I’ve tried bring out the yellow. I’d love to try both Bona intense and natural but no Sample sizes.
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
@G & S Floor Service so you think the natural or intense would do the trick?
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
My preference Is to get close to the second photo posted.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
Intenseal and AMberseal will cast too much yellow. You maybe able to get away with Classic seal but, it will still pull yellow. Using Classic seal or Natural seal is keeping it simple. Then protect it with Bona Traffic HD extra matte.

You can get more complex with craft oil system. You can use Neutral and Frost or Ash and Frost mix. Then top coat with Bona Traffic HD for extra protection.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
You have natural wood right now. NaturalSeal is as good as it gets without going to NordicSeal. NordicSeal offers a hint of frosting with ONE coat. If you want it WHITER than you can add a second coat without issue.

I would then follow any Bona Sealer with Bona Traffic HD. I prefer satin but the trend right now is matte.
Stacey thanked SJ McCarthy
Stacey
Original Author
3 years ago
@Timothy Winzell Thank you so much for your response! Definitely going to look into this asap.

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