Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Waterbourne Poly application
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David Leonard
01-28-03, 07:17 AM
I am going to apply Varathane Waterbourne. I read the directions on the can, dip and spread. Also sent the vendor an e-mail. Is there an optimum method to apply this product? Dip and spread vice pour and spread using water based stick applicator. Brush OK or should pad applicator be used for corners?
kellyb
01-28-03, 07:02 PM
i havent used varathane but used valspar and minwax waterbase polys one time. the homeowner owned a hardware store and got it free. he insisted i use it. normally i would use a finish made for floors like www.bonakemi.com you can get it at www.floorstyle.com i put on the same way some people coat waterbase. with a 18" t- pad applicator.(waterbase applicator) i remember it would gum up your screens when you would abrade between coats. bonakemi makes waterbase applicators
David Leonard
01-30-03, 07:34 AM
Here are responses that I received from Flecto:
The way I apply this product is with the proper applicator pad and a paint pan. I just dip the pad into the product and allow some material to soak into the pad then I lift it straight up and tilt it to one side to allow the excess product to drip off. When I apply the product I always go with the grain of the wood. I never start right at the wall I start about a foot from the wall and pull the applicator pad back three to four feet then I lift the applicator pad and place it at the wall and pull back through the material that I already applied. With each dipping of the applicator pad I
get about 15 feet of material laid down. Another thing that I tell people is that when applying this material it is easy enough to lay down with two fingers, By this I mean when the applicator pad is placed on the floor you can hold the pole with two fingers and pull it and that is about enough pressure. I exaggerate a bit on this point but I am trying to stress that a light touch is required when applying this material. Never push the applicator pad always pull. Follow the spread rate recommendations the water based product spread rate is 400 sq ft per gallon. Do not over work or over brush the material. Another thing you can do is thin the Varathane up to 10% water for the water based Varathane.. This will slow the dry time but will allow the surface to remain open longer allowing the air bubbles to escape from the surface and allow the finish to flow out better.
We recommend waiting for 1 full week before using the water based Varathane over an oil based stain.
I would use the applicator pad as much as possible and the synthetic bristle brush where needed.
I would not thin the first couple of coats then evaluate the floor after two coats. If the finish is acceptable( good leveling and no bubbles) I would continue to use full strength. If the finish was not as smooth or if there were air bubbles I would not hesitate to thin the Varathane for the next two coats.
I usually overlap the last row I applied by a little. As long as you
maintain the wet edge there should be no problems overlapping. I'm sure once you start applying you will come up with a technique that works for you. The main thing is to maintain a wet edge.
The way I apply this product is with the proper applicator pad and a paint pan. I just dip the pad into the product and allow some material to soak into the pad then I lift it straight up and tilt it to one side to allow the excess product to drip off. When I apply the product I always go with the grain of the wood. I never start right at the wall I start about a foot from the wall and pull the applicator pad back three to four feet then I lift the applicator pad and place it at the wall and pull back through the material that I already applied. With each dipping of the applicator pad I
get about 15 feet of material laid down. Another thing that I tell people is that when applying this material it is easy enough to lay down with two fingers, By this I mean when the applicator pad is placed on the floor you can hold the pole with two fingers and pull it and that is about enough pressure. I exaggerate a bit on this point but I am trying to stress that a light touch is required when applying this material. Never push the applicator pad always pull. Follow the spread rate recommendations the water based product spread rate is 400 sq ft per gallon. Do not over work or over brush the material. Another thing you can do is thin the Varathane up to 10% water for the water based Varathane.. This will slow the dry time but will allow the surface to remain open longer allowing the air bubbles to escape from the surface and allow the finish to flow out better.
We recommend waiting for 1 full week before using the water based Varathane over an oil based stain.
I would use the applicator pad as much as possible and the synthetic bristle brush where needed.
I would not thin the first couple of coats then evaluate the floor after two coats. If the finish is acceptable( good leveling and no bubbles) I would continue to use full strength. If the finish was not as smooth or if there were air bubbles I would not hesitate to thin the Varathane for the next two coats.
I usually overlap the last row I applied by a little. As long as you
maintain the wet edge there should be no problems overlapping. I'm sure once you start applying you will come up with a technique that works for you. The main thing is to maintain a wet edge.