How to Lacquer/Varnish Pine Floorboards

Pine floorboard lacquering/varnishing

 

Congratulations!

You’ve successfully followed the instructions on our “how to sand floorboards” blog and you’re ready to apply a finish on the floor to protect the floorboards.  Read This Blog Here

 

To stain or not to stain? 

Now you have sanded your floorboards, they are mostly likely looking fairly pale and I’m sure they look great, but they don’t look the normal colour you would associate with pine.

These boards are in a raw state which is currently a very popular look.

If you applied a standard primer and lacquer now, the colour would change to the normal “yellowish” tone that you typically see with pine floors and furniture.

The primer just enhances the natural colour of the wood, the same as if you just applied water to the floor.

 

Scandinavian style finish “raw effect” 

To achieve this you need to apply specific products that give you the raw look.

We use Pallmann x330 pure primer followed by 2 coats of Pall x pure 2k lacquer.

A few other brands also offer the raw effect products such as loba, junckers, blanchon - all of which also give you this effect.

 

Stains

Applying a stain opens up the chance to completely change the appearance of the floor, we find a darker stain tends to take a lot better to floorboards rather than lighter colour. The dark colour can also hide any impurities that haven’t been able to be removed through the sanding process.

Most stains will still require priming afterward, to ensure the lacquer will adhere to the wood. A minimum of 2 coats of lacquer is required with most brands.

 

So you’ve sanded the floor and chosen the colour, it’s now time to apply the primer and lacquer/varnish. 

 

What you need:

  • Paint brush for the edges and corners.
  • Roller handle and clean roller.
  • Bucket
  • Lacquer bag

 

Plan your exit! 

Plan were to start so you can work your way out of the room without having to walk over the floor you have just primed.

Ensure the primer has been mixed well and empty into the bucket with a lacquer bag inside.

Using the paint brush apply some primer down the edges a few inches out. Start with only a few boards at a time until you are comfortable with the rolling stages.

Now with the roller make sure it’s fully submerged so the roller has primer all over the roller.

Roll against the grain of the wood 2-3 boards at a time for now, then roll again with the grain making sure to lift the roller while still moving to prevent pools of primer sitting where you stop rolling.

Complete this process throughout the floor. Wash out the brush and roller.

 

Leave to dry!

Check the data sheet of the primer. Most need 1-2 hours before you can apply a lacquer over the top.

 

Time to apply the 1st coat of lacquer.

Check the data sheet for any mixing instructions and dry time.

Follow the same application process as the primer, applying a good even coat throughout the floor, again against the grain then with the grain, working out of the room.

Check data sheet of the product to see the dry time before you can apply the finish coats of lacquer.

This can vary from 2 hours to overnight.

Most lacquers will require screening before applying the finish coat.

This will flatten any grain raise caused by the primer or lacquer and also key the 1st coat of lacquer for the finish coat to be applied.

Apply the final coat of lacquer following the same process as the previous coats.

Time again to check that data sheet for full cure times so you know when you can move the furniture back in and enjoy your newly finished floor! 

 

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