Clear Varnish for Floor

Lex Luthor

I'm currently in the final stages of my bedroom renovation, all the floors are sanded and I'm putting down a few coats of oak coloured stain.

To finish it off I'll be putting down a gloss clear varnish, probably 2-3 coats when the stain has completely dried and I'm happy enough.

I've been pricing clear varnish and currently Ronseal has 2 products on the market.
- Ronseal Diamond Hard Interior Varnish
- Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish

The Floor Varnish I priced is €12 more expensive for 2.5litres. Is it that much better to warrant the price difference in anyones opinions?

Or is there any other recommendations out there that people would suggest over Ronseal products?

Thanks

antoinolachtnai

This is what I used the last time, a few years ago and is what I would probably use again.

http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Rustins_Plastic_Floor_Coating.html

It is solvent-based rather than water-based. There is quite a stink, but it dries very quick. I cannot honestly say it is really better than the water-based products because I have very little experience with the water-based products.

Underfoot is a very specialised application and I would definitely recommend you use a product that was specifically marketed as being designed for floor use. (Ie I would use the floor varnish rather than the general purpose varnish.)

These are highly engineered products, and there are differences between them.

You could probably get away with the cheaper general purpose stuff for a bedroom floor because the use is light enough, but if it were me, I would want to do the job to a standard such that you don't have to redo it for years.

I hope everything goes well.

Lex Luthor

Thanks for the info
Reading online I think I need to stay clear of this Ronseal Diamnond Varnish as its water based and I'm using an oil based stain. Dont really want to risk mixing the 2 and having problems down the road.
Considering the Ronseal Ultra Tough Hardglave Polyurethane Gloss Varnish
Like you say I dont want to repeat this down the road

antoinolachtnai

Well, the Ronseal is also a polyurethane acrylic thing. http://www.albany.ie/images/stories/downloads/ronsealdiamondhardfloorvarnishtds.pdf

The hard glaze isn't really designed to be specified as a floor finish as far as I know. That said, it would work fine.

I would ring Ronseal's technical line and ask for their advice if you are in doubt. There is a uk phone number at the bottom of the technical sheet.

These are expensive, technical products and there is no shame in ringing up and asking the manufacturer what they recommend.

Lex Luthor

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

Well, the Ronseal is also a polyurethane acrylic thing. http://www.albany.ie/images/stories/downloads/ronsealdiamondhardfloorvarnishtds.pdf

The hard glaze isn't really designed to be specified as a floor finish as far as I know. That said, it would work fine.

I would ring Ronseal's technical line and ask for their advice if you are in doubt. There is a uk phone number at the bottom of the technical sheet.

These are expensive, technical products and there is no shame in ringing up and asking the manufacturer what they recommend.

I just called this helpline...complete waste of time if I'm honest
Asked first about the Diamond Hard Floor Varnish..."just a second I'll check..." she said. Came back and said no its not compatible.
So I asked about their Ultratough Polyurethane Clear Varnish and same answer....wont work over a stain but will over a dye or bare wood.
Now thats complete nonsence as I have a floor with an oak woodstain covered in Ultratough Polyurethane Clear Varnish for 18yrs and no problems

I dont know where to go now...they are saying it will peel and crack, I think they are just sitting on the fence here to be honest

I already took a small piece of wood and put 3 coats or the stain and 2 coats of the Ultratough Polyurethane Clear Varnish on it to see what it would turn out like and its sticking fine to the stain, no issues...

I'm going to leave the final coat of stain cure for another few more days and need to make a decision then as I need to get started on this..so any more advice in the meantime would be great

Lex Luthor

came across this while googling
http://www.rustins.eu/ProdData/Poly%20Floor%20Seal%20PDS.pdf

Think I'll run with it
I dont mind that it slightly darkens the color...