OLD BLACK FLOORBOARDS HELP

[TIMBO]

We have just started work on a Flint cottage (1850 ish),Having removed the layers of carpet and ancient lino (hand painted?), We are presented with some wide squiqly floorboards, some are breaking up along the edges and some have been partially replaced with moderner timber bits.(not a nice look!)
I do not wish to loose the lovely old boards, So wish to repair and make the newer bits fit in nicely.
The boards are black, They do not look to have been painted, maybe blackened with age?
Sorry to prattle on, but any help most appreciated.
Tim.

 

[biffvernon]

Dunno about the boards but did you hear the programme about flint this afternoon? Listen again from here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/apprenticetothepast/pip/i00a7/ Interesting stuff with implications wider than just flint walled houses.

 

[NT]

Pictures might help

NT

 

[biffvernon]

No, it was on the radio.

 

[CHRIS]

Some people say I have a face for radio!!!!!!

 

[geoff]

They've probably been stained or waxed if it's original - some of the Victorian finishes were very dark and then some layers of dirt made it even darker. You might have to be a bit brutal and sand off some of the surface. I had to do this on some boards (various types of wood - oak, ash, alder, old pine) but did it by hand with a belt sander and orbital sander, which meant I could keep the softer shape (they were not completely flat) and some of the marks and indentations. Where infill was needed, I used resawn old pine boards. After rewaxing with a dark oak wax, the result is very good and looks suitably period - the boards blend together nicely. If you just want to colour the infill boards, try the darkest oak wax or stain (like 'tudor oak' from liberon). If they are very white modern boards this may not be very convincing. The darker old pine boards seem much better for this.

 

[TIMBO]

Thanks everybody, Listening to the radio on my compuetr is most excellent (I have led a sheltered life)
I found the Flint knappers story most interesting and can only agree with the statement about todays apprentices (I have had three apprentices and none of them seem to have any interest any more, A distinct lack of enthusiasm and lots of backchat, Maybe I am getting old or something)
I have been cleaning up the floor boards using some liquid gold and this seems to work wonders, Most impressive.
The boards remind me a great deal of the ones in the Tudor house that I grew up in.Maybe The house is older than we realise?
I have been crawling about in the roof space where some excellent ancient timbers are present.
The house has a marvellous large open fireplace that you can stand up in.
I am thinking that maybe it has parts of an earlier origin.
I shall post some pictures when I have taken some for you all to cast your eye over.
Hopefully I can delve into the innermost of your minds and retrieve some valuable info.
I am going down the well tomorrow to investigate, I am liking the exploration side of this, I am all excited!
Thanks again Tim. :wink:

 

[BenFriman]

Timbo,

I see you've just about answered your own question but here is my experience of this anyway: In one room of our 1820 town house, the floor had been spared the curse of the sander and an old black bituminous paint was covering about half of the floor.

I found that solvent-based paint stripper (like Nitromors) softened it enough to enable me to scrape the paint off the surface without damaging the wood underneath. Of course, it still left the wood a dark colour as some had soaked in. However, that was quite an attractive dark colour.

Next, I wondered what to do about the parts of the floor which were bare, as I wanted a uniform finish over the whole floor. I re-dissolved some of the scraped-off paint in a little white spirit and brushed that onto the bare floor boards. The effect was almost an exact match. Finally, I polished the floor with a wax furniture polish and now has a deep lustre. I just wish all the wooden floors could be like that, but unfortunately, the previous owner did unspeakable damage with a rotary sander and thick layers of shiny varnish.

 

[Moo]

I re-dissolved some of the scraped-off paint in a little white spirit and brushed that onto the bare floor boards. The effect was almost an exact match. .

That is an absolutely brilliant bit of thinking! Elegant in its total simplicity. And environmentally friendly (recycling scraped-off varnish must be a Good Thing).
Thanks so much.

 

[TIMBO]

Hi Ben, I shall just repeat Moo's comments 'marvellous'
Talking of varnish, It's everywhere.
I have been busy removing it from all over everything, A nice thick yellowy coating, Most unpleasant.
Cheers