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Refinishing hardwood floors: water vs. oil NAL 11-02-2006
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Posted by on November 2, 2006, 3:48 pm



johnnymo wrote:
> On a side note....is there much of a cost difference between the two
> options?

I can't recall what the difference was. It might be that the water
base product is less expensive but Im not 100%. Here is some info I
found.

Red oak with oil-bottom,latex-top/urethane Surface Finishes - Surface
finishes are very popular today because they are durable,
water-resistant and require minimal maintenance. Surface finishes are
blends of synthetic resins. These finishes most often referred to as
urethanes or polyurethane's remain on the surface of the wood and form
a protective coating. They are generally available in high-gloss,
semi-gloss, satin and matte. Any one of the surface finishes are
appropriate for the kitchen.


There are basically five (5) main types of surface finishes:

1.Oil-modified urethane is generally the most common surface finish and
is easy to apply. It is a solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about
eight hours. This type of finish ambers with age.


2.Moisture-cure urethane is a solvent-base polyurethane that is more
durable and more moisture resistant than other surface finishes.
Moisture-cure urethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and
is generally available in satin or gloss. These finishes are extremely
difficult to apply, have a strong odor and are best left to the
professional.


3.Swedish finish or acid cure urethane is a clear and fast drying
finish. It is durable and non-yellowing. These finishes have an
extremely strong odor and should be applied by the highly skilled wood
flooring professional.


4.Water-based urethane is a waterborne urethane that dries by water
evaporation. These finishes are clear and non-yellowing. They have a
milder odor than oil-modified finishes have and they dry in about two
to three hours. Water-based urethanes are generally more expensive.


5.Alumiunum Oxide Finishes- The newest in wood floor finishes offers a
long lasting more durable coating than past wood floor finishes. These
finishes carry a limited 20 year wear warranties, and is the latest
trend by major prefinished wood floor manufacturers.

Penetrating Stain and Wax - This finish soaks into the pores of the
wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a
low-gloss satin sheen that wears only as the wood wears. It will not
chip or scratch and is generally maintained with additional thin
applications of wax. Usually, wax finishes are applied more often than
surface finishes. Only solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, buffing
pastes or cleaning liquids specifically made for wood floors should be
used.


Wax- The oldest, and in some ways the best. Wax is the easiest to
apply, least expensive, fastest drying, easiest to repair, and with
proper care will survive forever. Wax over a penetrating stain, and the
system is in the wood so you wear the wood, not the finish. Proper care
involves maintenance with colored waxes. Water will spot the waxed
surface and must be removed (or prevented). Buffing is required.
Periodically, wax must be added, and this conjures up the memory of
Grandma on her knees.


Looks like a good water based is more expensive than oil.


AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.
Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on November 2, 2006, 3:05 pm



> I'm refinishing (professionally) 36 year old floors that haven't been
> done since they were installed. I'm getting conflicting advice on
> whether to use oil or water based finish. I have two dogs that play a
> lot, so I want a finish that is the longest lasting. Any input? And
> thanks in advance for your help!
>

Once cured, no difference.

Water is clear and has no odor drying

Oil will have a yellow tint and will give off an odor for a couple of days.

Some people prefer the clarity of water based, others like the warm color of
the oil base. Oil, IMO, brings out hte grain of hte wood better. You may
want to try a dab of each in a corner and see if you have a preference. Many
pros are using water because of hte odor. In either case, it takes a couple
of weeks for the finish to be fully cured.



Posted by NAL on November 2, 2006, 3:11 pm


Thanks for all the response. The cost for the water is more than oil
by a little bit. The finishers seem to prefer the water because it's
quicker drying. If using water based, are there different qualities
(commercial use vs, residential)?


Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> > I'm refinishing (professionally) 36 year old floors that haven't been
> > done since they were installed. I'm getting conflicting advice on
> > whether to use oil or water based finish. I have two dogs that play a
> > lot, so I want a finish that is the longest lasting. Any input? And
> > thanks in advance for your help!
> >
>
> Once cured, no difference.
>
> Water is clear and has no odor drying
>
> Oil will have a yellow tint and will give off an odor for a couple of days.
>
> Some people prefer the clarity of water based, others like the warm color of
> the oil base. Oil, IMO, brings out hte grain of hte wood better. You may
> want to try a dab of each in a corner and see if you have a preference. Many
> pros are using water because of hte odor. In either case, it takes a couple
> of weeks for the finish to be fully cured.


Posted by jd karnes on November 2, 2006, 4:45 pm


NAL wrote:
> Thanks for all the response. The cost for the water is more than oil
> by a little bit. The finishers seem to prefer the water because it's
> quicker drying. If using water based, are there different qualities
> (commercial use vs, residential)?
>
>
> Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
>>
>>>I'm refinishing (professionally) 36 year old floors that haven't been
>>>done since they were installed. I'm getting conflicting advice on
>>>whether to use oil or water based finish. I have two dogs that play a
>>>lot, so I want a finish that is the longest lasting. Any input? And
>>>thanks in advance for your help!
>>>
>>
>>Once cured, no difference.
>>
>>Water is clear and has no odor drying
>>
>>Oil will have a yellow tint and will give off an odor for a couple of days.
>>
>>Some people prefer the clarity of water based, others like the warm color of
>>the oil base. Oil, IMO, brings out hte grain of hte wood better. You may
>>want to try a dab of each in a corner and see if you have a preference. Many
>>pros are using water because of hte odor. In either case, it takes a couple
>>of weeks for the finish to be fully cured.
>
>
also wait a few days longer than the refinish people say. especially for
any heavy furniture and use felt pads under everything.

Posted by on November 3, 2006, 8:09 pm


wrote:

[...]

>lso wait a few days longer than the refinish people say. especially for
>any heavy furniture and use felt pads under everything.

I have heard/read recently that felt is not the best, because it
somehow interacts with the floor. The clear plastic ones are better,
this theory holds.

Could someone straighten me out on this?



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