Hardwood Floors June/July 2018

AT THE SITE Stains and Colorants (Continued)

Other chemicals have also been used in the past to chemically alter the color of wood, but most of those were seriously poisonous and are not used anymore. Another process that has been used by artistically inclined woodworkers is by using a concoction called iron acetate, which is homemade by putting steel wool and white vinegar in a jar and allowing this to “brew” for a certain amount of time. The resulting iron acetate liquid is then filtered and applied to tannin-rich wood to “ebonize” the wood. Since wood produced from one species typically has varying levels of tannic acid from one tree to another, one must be aware that the results may vary wildly from one board to another when using chemical reactive stains. This may be desirable and provide an aesthetically pleasing result with varying degrees of color variations within a wood floor. However, if a more uniform color is desirable, then it is obvious that the use on a chemical reactive stain may not be the right choice. In that case, it is better to select a standard stain or a combination of dye and stain. One important fact about using chemical reactive stains is that the initial derived color will change over time and mellow out, it is normal and to be expected that color fading/change will take place. When wood has been stained, dyed and stained, or has been treated with a chemical reactive stain it needs to be finished to protect that treatment. As long as that treatment has been allowed to thoroughly dry, finishing is typically no problem. However, with chemical reactive stains, one must be cautious with using a water-based finish over that treatment as most waterborne finishes have an additive in their formulation that is known as a “PH balancer or adjuster,” which can chemically react and completely change the color of the reactive stain result. It is best to consult with the selected finish manufacturer and inquire which “tannin block sealer” is most effective in combination with the selected finish and next test the effectiveness of the whole finishing system before commencing with completing the floor in question.

HARD WAX OIL AND PENETRATING OIL FINISHES This group of products includes products that are available as a “stain and finish” all-in-one product. These products provide a color and finish within the same system. Color options may range from one manufacturer to another, and are often just as diverse as many dyes and stains (with more than 60 color options to begin with). In addition, there are optional pre-treatment products available from some of the manufacturers of this product category that raise the decorative color options and effects exponentially. Understanding how to use a variety of finishes is an excellent way to offer your customers a unique look and feel and can set you apart from your competition. The NWFA Intermediate and Advanced level schools also give students the opportunity to learn about these different processes and play with some products that otherwise you may not have the time or ability to try. Full details on education opportunities are available to NWFA members at NWFA.org. Johannes Boonstra is MI Territory Manager and Industrial Finishes at Rubio Monocoat. He can be reached at johannes@ rubiomonocoatusa.com.

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