What product to seal sanded floorboards?

[David Angel]

I have had a good search through the forum, but can't find a specific answer.

I have just sanded some hallway/bedroom pine floorboards from a 1820's house and now want to seal them. Ideally, I don't want any type of varnish or shiny finish, just the least amount of colour darkening as possible. I assume I can't just leave them and need to seal them somehow. I can't find any sealant in Focus or the like so guess I need to look somewhere more specialist.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ljn]

a lot of people are usaing Osmo Polyx. it's easy to apply, darkens trhe wood a alittle, but doesn't turn orange over time and is available in matt that leaves the surface completly naatural looking

http://www.osmouk.com/galresult2.cfm?subject=ALL&price=ALL&date=ALL&artist=Clear%20treatment%20with%20Osmo%20Polyx-Oil&start=0&category=welflor.gif

 

[CHRIS]

I can recommend the OSMO stuff as it gives the look you are after, when you first put it on it looks a bit shiny but after a few weeks it dulls down to a nice matt finish (not that nasty yellow-orange that happens with varnish).

I have an extra tin of it as I ordered too much if you are near!

 

[Big Dave]

Hi Mate

Some of the best products available are from a company called bona, they are swedish but have a uk distributor in Milton keynes. there R&D is second to none and they have products which don't discolour the boards. Since you mentioned the floor is in the hallway you want something hard wearing and with minimal maitenance.
Ive not tried the osmo product mentioned but I tried the osmo osoil and found that there were easier products to use which gave a better result.

Hope this helps.

 

[GeoffP]

Hi David,
I used Bona products on my sanded floorboards in my kitchen which has a high volume of traffic including the high heels of my daughters and I am very impressed.

After staining to the required colour, I applied two coats of Bona Seal, let it dry and then put on three (or was it four?) coats of Bona Traffic. Best to leave it a few days if you can before walking on it.

Although it’s colourless, it will darken the wood very slightly.

Useful sites:

http://www.0845floorco.com/images/productinformation/Bona/Traffic%20Product%20Description.pdf

http://www.woodenflooringsales.com/bonakemifloorlacquers/

http://www.stripwoodenflooring.com/case.htm

Hope this helps.

GeoffP

 

[ljn]

Bonakemi traffic is an excellent varnish. It is very tough and hardley changes the colour of the wood.

It is a varnish though, and so the wood will be covered by a film of plastic material. It lasts a long time, but when it does get scratched, it will look bad and the whole floor will need sanding again and re-sealing. After time it tends to go a bit yellow.

The Osmo Polyx option darkens the wood similar to the color of the wood when wet, but the product soaks into the wood, so you don't get a "synthetic" surface. When it wears, you can apply more product and conduct spot repairs.