We finished our #2 grade red oak installation stained with Rubio monocoat smoke 5%. Here is a photo with the unfinished #2 red oak on left and the 25 year old dining room floor (smaller planks) on right. Overall, I love the smoked effect of the Rubio! I do regret not getting something a bit more dramatic in color though like a white or a darker brown. The redder planks of oak still look pinkish. I thought that the green of the 5% smoke would soften the pink. We will be installing the same oak in the other sitting room and kitchen and I would like to try a whiter shade or a darker shade to try and mask some of the pink. (I didn't waterpop and maybe that could have added a more opaque effect from the smoke 6%). Advice please: I bought UMO to add the extra level of protection and sheen. Tomorrow will be the 36hr curing time from the smoke 5% 2c to apply UMO. Should I just save the UMO for when we do the other rooms in a year or so? Is is possible to blend this smoke 5% floor with a new floor done with a different shade (a whiter or more medium brown shade)? Can a new shade be applied over this smoke 5% or should the floor be sanded? Thanks!

@Robin Morris, Im a bit confused between the terminology of "sealer" and "finish coat", but I love the look on your floors! Are they glossy or completely matte. I like the look in broad day light better than at night! Just to make sure, you applied one coat of Bona Birch and then 3 coats of another stain which is Bone Mega? (Looking at your samples picture, bone mega looked darker and orangier...) I'm trying to get my white oak cabinets to have a neutral look as well!

Water popping dry time - depending on the work environment. It can take anywhere from 1 hour to overnight. Best way to be sure is to use a moisture meter. Take a reference reading prior to water popping to indicate dry point. Water pop and allow to dry. Take a reading to see if, the dry point has returned to the original reading. If, it does, you know it is dry. Yes, water popping will allow the stain to penetrate deeper, resulting in a darker and richer color. Eliminating the need for a second coat, which can be detrimental to coating. Staining can take anywhere from 6 to over 72 hours to dry. You will need to check with the manufacturer for their recommendations for proper dry time and conditions. Darker pigments will take longer to dry compare to naturals. If, you mix colors allow the maximum time required. Dry time for Supra will depend on the square footage and how many hours in the day you are willing to work. The recommended dry time for Supra is 4-6 hours under good conditions. Humidity and low temperature will extend dry time. If, you have a lot of square footage example: 1000 square feet. I would allow overnight to dry. 1000 square feet coating will increase the indoor humidity, which will extend dry time. Multiple coats in 1 day is not advised. Compared to a 200 square feet coating where the humidity doesn't significantly increase. The dry time is more truer to what is suggested by mfg. Multiple coats is possible in one day. Your flooring contractor should know all this. If, not run for the hills.

Semigloss will reflect light more than satin, but if there’s no light to reflect that won’t help you. It may also accentuate any defects in the floor. If electrical upgrades aren’t an option can you bring in more lamps? Even with overhead lighting, lamps improve the ambiance significantly. Lighter paint also reflects light, but again you must have light to reflect. Whites really need natural light to look good in my opinion, otherwise they accentuate shadows and make the room feel dingy.