What does varnish actually look like

kylith

I've sanded and filled the floor and, after the room is painted, the next step is to varnish it. It seems to be an old pine floor and, frankly, I'm not mad on pine and the way it yellows as it ages. I'd like to use a varnish to darken it a little bit, but it's difficult to know which one to go for because you never know what it'll come out like. I quite like the look of walnut floors, but if it's too dark then it's a massive job to get rid of it.

I guess what I'm asking is can anyone advise on a not-too-dark varnish for what looks to be a pine floor? Or somewhere that will show 'this is what Ronseal will look like"?

Thanks in advance.

dokjas457

Yeah i am looking forward to hear about it..

NIMAN

Recently did the same, and was looking for some walnut varnish, but couldn't find any locally, so put down 3 coats of Diamond Hard Dark Oak

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=579830

To be honest it was only a quick job I tried as I am a totally useless DIY'er, but happy wnoug with the result. The sander left a few spirals on the surface and the varnishing job needs a bit of touching up in some corners etc, but overall when the furniture goes in and rugs etc, then it will be grand for my purposes (it only an occasional use home office).

kylith

That's one that I was looking at. Would it be terribly cheeky to ask you to put up a pic so I can see how it turned out?

I know this is kind of a silly thread, but I'm kind of at a standstill in the decorating because I'm so nervous about making the wrong choice and having to sand it back and start over again.

NIMAN

If you PM me your email address address I will send some pics on to you, rather than post them up here.

As I say, I am sure a pro could have made a far better job than I did, but I wanted to have a go at it, and I found it all a bit straight forward (but it still took me about 6 months to motivate myself to do it all!!!).

I found the varnish went on well and easy enough, but you really have to try to keep the strokes smooth and try not to end them abruptly otherwise you will see joining lines between your coats.

irelandspurs

Don't buy a quick drying Varnish (Water based) otherwise you'll have a nightmare go for an oil based as this gives you longer to play with it and less brush marks.

romaderwdcsax

kylith wrote: »

I've sanded and filled the floor and, after the room is painted, the next step is to varnish it. It seems to be an old pine floor and, frankly, I'm not mad on pine and the way it yellows as it ages. I'd like to use a varnish to darken it a little bit, but it's difficult to know which one to go for because you never know what it'll come out like. I quite like the look of walnut floors, but if it's too dark then it's a massive job to get rid of it.

I guess what I'm asking is can anyone advise on a not-too-dark varnish for what looks to be a pine floor? Or somewhere that will show 'this is what Ronseal will look like"?

Thanks in advance.

There are alot of nice stains on the market at the moment, ones that u apply by cloth. Just ask in any major paint shop for advice or samples. Also get a a couple of waste bits of timber to apply the stain to 1st so you get an idea of what your looking for. Simply varnish/laquer on top of the stain then.

North West

Hi Kylith
What you have is a red deal floor.( Most people call it pine ) you will have to be careful as the red deal floor or pine as you call it has a natural pigment in the wood which colours up like you floor was. Be very careful when using a dye. I would suggest you get a piece of board if you have any left over after putting floor down and try a few different colours. Then it's trial and error to the colour you want.
Start very light - going darker as you wish. Any trial piece will take about 3 weeks to colour properly.
To what ever colour you use - the timber will automatically colour from the pigments in the wood.
NW

NIMAN

Did you ever receive the photos I sent you?