My client can not decide which flavor of oil poly for her new white pine floor (an attic renovation into “studio” space). I recommended three coats of satin. While she mulls it over, she’s talked to the goon at the paint store, called her best friend in Florida, consulted with her glass blowing instructor, and probably asked her Ouiji board. Her research leads her to ask me “isn’t gloss finish harder?”, and “wouldn’t four coats be better?” My response was “I’ll look into it”.
So, does anyone know whether or not a gloss finish is any “harder” than semi- or satin?
Also, I’ve never done more than three coats of oil poly on a floor. It is my understanding that this is pretty much the industry standard. Any thoughts on the cost/benefit of one more layer (sure it’ll cost more, but is it worth it?).
Thanks
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I can't speak to the gloss hardness question, but the standard my GC uses is 4 coats. 3 right after install, then protect, do everything else, and a final coat just before move-in. All I can say is that I like the results :-)
Yep, gloss is harder. For anything other than gloss it's better to have the first couple of coats gloss, saving the dull finish for last.
As for the number of coats, one man's three coats might be as thick as another's 2 coats, or 4 coats. An additional coat would wear slightly longer, but I would suggest that by the time three coats has taken a beating it's in pretty rough shape (scratches, dings, etc.) so it's better to refinish the floors at that time rather than try to build up an unusually thick coat to start with.
Something is added to gloss to get satin or flat. I think it's silica. But at any rate, it's basically filler and allegedly weakens the product slightly. It also has to be stirred to keep it in suspension. Additionally, it obscures the wood grain and is slightly murky. So, I think you want gloss untill the final coat.
gloss may be harder by a negligable bit, but the scratches and mars show up faster than they do on satin or semigloss, and would make me crazy wanting to constantly buff.
thanks to much help from this board, i refinished my floors last summer and they look great. i used first 2 coats gloss; not for hardness isues, but to keep from clouding up the appearance as has already been mentioned. final coat satin. if the client will be happier with 4 coats and wants to pay for it, do it as long as all undercoats are gloss.
as long as the coats are allowed to cure properly before use and a good product is used, the hardness should be fine.
I will add my voice to the good advice you have received thus far.A gloss is more durable, for all the reasons mentioned earlier. And if you want a satin or semi-gloss finish overall, it should only be applied as the top coat. Also, you'll get an argument from some around here, but I still think an alkyd based product will last longer and look better than a water-based.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I would say a water base coat looks rather different that oil base. Oil base is more yellow looking. Also if you have a floor that
cannot be sanded down again, you can get some improvment by using
the coating to level the minor mars and scratches as you would
in filling and sanding a car fender. 4 coats flattened well between
layers can fill in the holes and you end up with a flat top surface.
No, it isnt perfect but it looks pretty good considering.
Given that you're going over a white pine floor, I'm not convinced that the hardness of the finish will matter. The pine will dent regardless of the gloss level of the poly. And the higher the gloss, the more the surface imperfections will show.
You might be better served by using an oil finish. In this case, I think softer is probably better.
If you can get some scraps from the flooring, make up some sample pieces for her to look at. The oil based poly will give it an amber tint and the water based poly stays clear.