OK, here’s the deal as it stands. It seems that of the couple whose floors we’re refinishing only one understood what a natural finish would be… the other thought that the original (but worn out) pickled/whitewashed look was natural (where do I find these people?).
I’ve never whitewashed/pickled a floor and haven’t seen any stains for it other than a waterbased which strikes me as a bad idea. Suggestions?
Replies
There are oil based "Pickled" stains available. I've used Sherwin Williams Wood Classics with good success, has good body to it and color is consistent. One I didn't care for was Benjamin Moore Pickled Oak, was too thin and took 2 coats to get a decent coverage.
Water based stains also work well if you stick with quality brands.
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I've never pickled a floor, but Minwax used to make some stain in shades of white they called "pastel stain" if I remember correctly, I think one was called "Winter White". You could probably just paint or wipe on any good oil-based white paint and rub it into the pores and wipe off the rest to get the effect you want. If it's too much, you can wipe again with a rag soaked with mineral spirits or thinner. You could add other colors too--even tint with artists' oil paint in tubes.
I made a pickled oak kitchen, but used white tint base lacquer. I'd think it could be used with Deft and a slow thinner and brushed on ( wide 4" brush) and then poly'd over. I'd use a WB /water clear Poly like Hydrocoat's Polyshield. Otherwise the amber hue would look bad IMO.
But, I think the pickled look is outdated already..it was a passing fad. I hope.