Hello and welcome to another Woodfloor-Renovations Blog Post
Today I'd like to talk about about a subject that is oft ignored, even by many pro's, today's offering is:
'Floor Lacquer Systems... What are they ??'
A floor lacquer system is the correct application of the proper primer coat and subsequent coats of either lacquer or oil.
Now dependant on some of the many variables involved with the floor sanding and sealing process, such as floor species, desired finish [sheen level] site conditions, time-frame, etc. etc. [the list is long] certain primers are more suitable than others for certain timbers and certain finishes.
For example, if the end user has properly prepared a Beech strip floor and wants a deep rich natural colourization of the timber, then an Oil based primer may be the ideal primer to use, but using this primer may not be practical if the job needs to be completed in a day as oil based primers have much longer drying times [6-8hrs in some cases]
Now if the same floor HAS to be done in a day then you can use a solvent based primer such as Junckers Baseprime, or Blanchon Fond Du, these types of primers almost give the same kind of depth of colour to the timber but dry in about an hour, so very often, a capable professional can apply 1 x coat of primer and 2 x coats of lacquer in around 3-4 hrs in reasonable site drying conditions.
So you have now applied your primer coat, the wood floor looks great, now's the time to apply the lacquer to finish off the system, for examples sake again lets say this project is a domestic situation and the space is a busy living area belonging to a busy family. If this imaginary project was for one of my clients I would have recommended 1 x Primer Coat followed by 2 x High Traffic Lacquer, or maybe even 3 x High Traffic Lacquer.
With wood floor lacquer systems its about horses for courses, some situations demand a harder wearing finish which will cost a bit more initially, but will be more cost effective in the longer term as it will just wear better than a more standard lacquer finish.
Conversely the clients may have a low traffic environment and not need the high traffic finish, in which case a mid range product such as Bona Mega or Junckers Strong would be eminently suitable.
In reality its up to the end user to decide whether a 3 coat or 4 coat system best suits their particular needs, if you are in any doubt ask your floor sanding professional.
Hope that helps - Thanks for reading
Hello and welcome to another WFR Blog Post.
Today's offering will be fairly short but for you Diy-ers out there its something you should know and act upon.
The question [sent in via email] is "When can I walk on my Newly Sealed Hardwood Floor ? "
If you have applied a good quality flooring lacquer, such as Junckers Strong or Bona Mega, and you have for examples sake finished applying the coats of lacquer in the late afternoon, I would recommend waiting a minimum of 3-4 hours before walking on the newly overcoated floor.
The general rule of thumb is that the longer you leave the floor to dry/cure the better, if you do finish properly applying the lacquers late in the afternoon then I would heartily recommend leaving the area until the following day before you go back into the room to inspect your handiwork, the room will then almost certainly be perfectly dry and ready for light foot traffic.
I realize that this isn't always possible, if for example the area you are renovating is an Entrance Hallway that leads through to other area's of your property where you need access, if this is the case then you really do need to leave the floor for 3-4 hrs to dry properly before re-using the area, but I will say only lightly use the area, and then as little as possible, the last thing you want is an unsightly footprint in the middle of your newly sealed floor.....because if the lacquer is still tacky then a foot-mark WILL show up when it dries.....
Although the lacquer may be dry to the touch it won't be fully cured for between 48-72 hours after the product has been applied, sometimes longer depending on the site drying conditions. Some manufacturers products have even longer curing times than 72hrs, but which ever product you are using do your homework and read through the instructions on both application and drying/curing times for your product......Knowledge is power....
This example is for a Lacquered finish on a Red Oak floor, if the seal you have applied to your floor is an Oil then the drying times are likely to be longer, check with the product manufacturers website for the correct drying times.
Hope this helps......Thanks for reading.
Hello and Welcome to another WFR Blog Post.
Today's question isn't something that I get asked too often, but its a fairly straightforward answer so we'll go with the flow.
The question is "Can I Change the Sheen level of the Lacquer Between Coats ?"
Short answer is YES, but there are of course some proviso's.....In this instance our DIYer has applied 2 coats of Junckers Strong Gloss lacquer onto his Maple Strip flooring and has decided its too shiny.
What I have recommended he do is as follows.....The floor surface in the room will need to be 'Cut Back' which in layman's terms is a light abrading of the lacquer surface, with say a 120 or 150 grit level sanding screen or abrasive, this 'Keys' the surface of the lacquer in readiness to accept the following coats of seal. Then obviously vacuum the surface thoroughly and then tack cloth to remove any fine particles of dust and debris.
You are now ready to apply the next coat of lacquer, in our friends case he was going to use Junckers Strong Matt finish, You really must use products from the same manufacturer when you are applying a different sheen level, they are basically the same products with different levels of matting agents in them, so the chances of the intercoat adhesion failing is remote if the correct procedures are carried out.
Its also not a bad idea to use a new roller to apply the next coat of seal, either that or make sure that the roller or applicator you used to apply the previous coats has been properly washed out.
Hope that helps....Thanks for Reading.
Hello and Welcome to another WFR Blog Post.
Today's diatribe is an aspect of Floor Sanding I'm not asked alot but is an important question for the DIY enthusiasts out there, and as we all know, Knowledge is power.....
The question is "How many coats of floor lacquer can I put on my wood floor in a day ?"
A fair question deserving of a proper answer.
Any self respecting professional flooring contractor/company will quote for and apply 3 coats of a good quality floor lacquer as standard, very often the three coats of lacquer can be applied in anything from 3-6 hrs depending on A. Site Conditions and B. The lacquer specification being used.
For example a High Traffic 2 component lacquer eg. Bona Traffic or Junckers HP Commercial will take longer to dry than a single component lacquer such as Junckers Strong or Bona Mega, typically between 2-3hrs per coat for a 2 component high traffic lacquer, and between 1-2 hrs per coat for the single component products in reasonable drying conditions.
Site conditions play a big part in how many coats of floor lacquer can be applied in a day, for example if its a nice warm day outside and the room you are applying the lacquer to is at a nice ambient temperature then the lacquer should dry within the manufacturers stated time-frame [probably quicker] This is taking into account also that the lacquer has been applied properly at the correct coverage rate for the product.
The flip side is when the weather is cold and wet, both these elements will slow the lacquer drying times down, putting the central heating on will certainly help lacquer drying times, lacquer likes the warm, but doesn't like cold and damp conditions, so if its pouring down with rain outside, that can also have an impact on drying times inside, so many different elements determine how many coats of lacquer can be applied in a day.
If you are a DIYer and are undertaking for example a 25m2 Lounge [270 sq ft] and have taken a day to properly prepare your wood floor, give yourself the next day to properly apply the lacquer and of course the primer as the first coat. If you want to apply an extra coat you simply have to give yourself more time...
Don't forget to allow the correct drying / curing times before moving furniture back into the area, ALWAYS read and carefully follow the manufacturers instructions.
We have more Floor Sanding Review Pages on our website Here
Hope this helps....Thanks for reading
Hello and welcome to another Woodfloor-Renovations Blogpost.
Today's Blog is a question I've been asked many times, and the subject matter concerns the 2 heavyweight champions of the High Traffic Flooring Lacquer market here in the UK, Bona Traffic & Junckers HP Sport.
The question is ...."What's the Difference ??"
Firstly these giants of the Floor Lacquer world are both superb products, and if you are contemplating using a high traffic finish for your wood flooring project you could do alot worse than use either of them, and if you apply them properly you will have a hard wearing, great looking durable finish that will last you for many years.
Trying to choose between Bona Traffic & Junckers HP Sport is a bit like picking a favourite horse, both are really really good but which one to go for.....do you favour Shergar or Red Rum ??....The analogy is a horse racing one but I'm sure you get the meaning....
Both these lacquers have enviable reputations in the Floor Sanding and Sealing world, they set the standards and others follow, the manufacturers Bona & Junckers are both excellent companies with great product ranges and really good technical departments who will answer any questions you have about their Lacquers and oils.
Expect to pay somewhere between £70-£90 for a 5 litre can of these 2 component lacquers, typically the Junckers HP Sport is around £10 per 5L can cheaper than Bona Traffic, shop around online for a good deal.
Remember to properly read and follow the manufacturers instructions before you use any of these products.
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