Here’s the problem.. New timber floor boards,all cypress,supposedly well seasoned,have been allowed to rest ‘in site’ for a few weeks,have been laid,sanded,…looked great,then three coats of polyurethane later,almost like a developed negative in photography,a ‘path’ has appeared in the finish,starting from the front entrance,then meandering into the other rooms,almost following what would be normal traffic flow patterns.
Feeling is that it might be something ‘left behind’ by the other trade guys,but one would have thought the sanding would have removed all or most of that.
The colour is natural [no tint in the PU,no stain on the floor],so in the already pale blond floor is this paler ‘pathway’.
Any body struck something like this?
And for $64,000….Any ideas how to overcome this?
I know,I know…sand it all off, carefully mix & stain the affected area,then go again!Was hoping to hear of a miracle fix.:-)
On bended knee,
Robin
Replies
from here, it sounds like the floor had some damage embossed in the wood(compressed the fibers). when you sanded the floor, you made everything smoothed. When you applied the finished, the compressed fibers swelled leaving high spots from the original damage.
This what you talkin about?
M,that could be,I guess.Supplier not much help in the info departmant!
Thank you for your thoughts
Robin
I probably won't be able to give you a fix but these questions might come up by others...
How long between the application of the finish and the occurence of the discoloration ?
Could the finish have been dulled by foot traffic ?
Was a protective surface put on the floor where it has discolored while it was still curing ? Just a guess but different curing conditions could have caused differences in color ?
UV damage from sunlight shining through the front entrance ?
All good questions,Chucky.As I said to Migraine,the supplier wasn't very forthcoming.The owner swears nothing compromising happened between the laying and the finishing,but whatever,it's there!
Thank you for wasting your brainpower on this one.I appreciate it.
Robin
Out of curiosity, i googled "polyurethane floor discoloration" and found this article
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Flooring-Carpeting-1621/2008/10/area-rugs-wood-laminate.htm
It seems to indicate that polyurethane finishes have stabilizers that evaporate during curing. If the evaporation is uneven due to a covering, it may lead to some discoloration.
Maybe the homeowner covered the traffic area with plastic runners.
What a good thought you had.That sure is an interesting article..pretty much to the point,I think.
Well done,and thanks again.
R
No help here, but that's why floors don't go in until after the trades are through and only minor installations are left. Then you put down protection.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Yep,that's the logical thing to do.Owner is quite savvy,a stonemason,and he tells me that only light work followed the laying,but to a guy carting lumps of stone around all day,what's light!?
Thanks anyway,and to you other gentlemen,
Robin