Do it yourself
In order to completely change the natural color of the parquet and give it a new, unrecognizable look, you don’t need to pay an expensive specialist. You can make the changes yourself, you only need to get special tinting materials and follow basic workflows.
For the secondary toning of the parquet, you can use colored varnish or natural oils with hard wax. The last method is the most ecological, since vegetable oils and natural wax are used for it. Unlike varnish, which forms a protective film on the surface, oil penetrates deep into the wood and wax forms the surface protection. Thus, the oil coating increases the wear resistance of the wood and protects it from moisture.
Stages in independent work with flower oils.
Color selection
Since the color and texture of the parquet have a decisive role in the interior design, it is important when choosing the color to know what effect you want to achieve.
With the help of the oil you can:
– To keep the color of the natural wood. In this case, the treatment of the floor is limited to the application of two layers of colorless oil with hard wax;
– To achieve toning imitating expensive wood species;
– To paint the floor with a bright color – for example red. For colorful and transparent toning, choose tones close to the natural color of the wood or slightly darker.
– If you want to get a more saturated color effect, use specially developed oils for this purpose.
Tip: The final result can be affected by the properties and degree of processing of the wood, so it is recommended to make a color sample on a small section of the parquet.
Coloring process
The full cycle of wood staining at home includes the following three stages:
1. Surface preparation;
2. Toning with colored oil;
3.Finish with the colorless hard wax oil.
Preparation
A complete cycle of the wooden floor is required:
When installing a new parquet that has no finish applied in production conditions;
When repairing an old floor, if the surface is completely or partially worn, gray and stained;
To remove the old varnish coating;
If the wooden floor has large dents, deformations or defects.
To do the sanding you need a sander. You can rent it.
Toning
Before using the material, carefully mix the contents in the box with a wooden stirrer. Apply a coat of the color oil to the clean surface using a microfiber roller or a stiff natural bristle brush. Apply the oil in a thin and even layer in the direction of the wood fibers. The excess should be removed. Let it dry completely, with good ventilation you will need about 12 hours. For a more intense color, use specially developed oils that can be applied in two layers.
Finish coating
After you are sure that the color oil is completely dry, start working on the finish. Varnish is not recommended for parquet treated with colored oil. For the finish, use a colorless oil with a hard wax. Apply a thin layer in the direction of the wood grain. For 20 – 30 minutes you can make corrections on the wet surface. Allow to dry for 8-12 hours with good ventilation. The next day you can already walk on the parquet. The oil with hard wax acquires its final hardness after 10-14 days. After 2-3 weeks you can cover it with a carpet.
Cleaning and maintenance of the wooden floor
– You can maintain the tinted parquet by wiping it periodically with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
– It is good to put soft plugs on the legs of the table and chairs so that they do not pierce the finish of the parquet. You will keep its good appearance if you treat it with special means several times a year. Special compositions allow to remove small scratches and restore the color along the running lines.
– If after a few years you decide to renew the interior, simply cover the parquet with oil in a different color. An oil-coated surface does not need to be re-cycled, unlike varnish.
If you can’t handle all this, just contact us.
You can read more information about natural parquets here!
