- Floors only need to be stained if you want to change their
color. If you are happy with your floor's color, skip this step!
Note: Since stain must be able to penetrate the wood
of the floor, stain can only be applied to new, unfinished flooring or
to floors that have been sanded according to the directions given
in the Sanding section for
"Floors that need a complete refinishing."
- Choose your stain color. (See
Wood Stain Chart)
- Test stain in an inconspicuous area of the floor to ensure that
the color is what you want. Remember that the clear polyurethane topcoat
that you will later apply to your floor will slightly amber the stain,
giving it a warmer tone.
- If your floor is made of soft wood, such as pine, pre-treat the floor
with pre-stain wood conditioner to ensure that the floor takes the color evenly. Apply stain within
two hours of pre-treatment.
- Applying stain is easy. Be sure to read and follow the label direction
and cautions.
- Stir stain thoroughly before and occasionally during use.
- Start in a back corner, and apply the stain with a natural bristle brush
or clean cloth. Follow the label directions. Be careful to plan your exit
so you don't stain yourself into a corner!
- Apply the stain in the direction of the grain. Let the stain penetrate
until you achieve the desired color. Remove excess stain with a clean cloth.
If a darker color is desired, wait 4-6 hours, then apply a second coat,
repeating the same steps you used for the first.
- Once the floor is stained, let it dry for at least eight hours before
applying polyurethane for floors.
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