I am about to finish about 1000 sq.ft. of oak flooring in my house, and I am considering using Waterlox. In fact, I became aware of Waterlox through this forum, and it sounds pretty good.
Having done some research (primarily printing the Waterlox white paper and product specs) I am concerned about the time needed to cure. If you follow their directions strictly, you really can’t start treating your new floor like a floor until 14 days after the last coat goes on. Since this area is the center of the entire house and all access for both floors goes through her, we would have to stay out of the house for an additional two weeks. I’m not sure we could stand that.
So I am looking for some help.
Do I really have to wait 14 days?
Is the extra time worth the wait?
Is there another rpoduct that gets as tough but requires less time?
I appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks.
Jeff
Replies
you can walk on it after day or two - use some mats and throw rugs or cardboard
When i had the floor finished in the house I was remodeling, the floor contractor used a water based poly, and the next day (with his approval) I laid down walk mats made of sheet vinyl flooring. I went to Lowes and bought some retuned stuff, or end of a roll, I forget exactly, for really cheap, and just rolled it out along th main path. Worked great. I kept several pieces for future use. I had two types, one a cushion back and the other a plain vanilla vinyl. The cushion back I liked better, cuz it layed flat by itself and was better quality, but both worked well.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Jeff:
You won't need to wait 14 days. Probably a day or two on sock feet. However, I'd be wary of using waterlox on oak. Due to the big pores in oak, you will probably find that waterlox will "leak" out of the pores as it is drying and leave you with some weird looking spots. Try a test piece before you go nuts. Usually poly is a better choice for oak because it is thick enough to span the pores and avoid this problem. A lot depends on the actualy wood you are using though.
J Painter
It does take alot longer to cure than poly...how much time in your particular case will depend on the humidity, temperature, and how much airflow you can get accross it.
I put three coats on oak, 24 hours apart, and it took 3 - 4 days before I could even think of walking on it. But this in a house under DIY construction with relatively cool, rainy days, so I had to keep the windows closed most time except when I was there..only 3- 4 hours evenings and most all day on weekends.
I don't particularly care for the color it imparts to the oak...too dark brown...or the rather strong, sweet smell.
Try to get ahold of a quart and do a sample that you can leave in the same room for a few days.
Particularly for a nonprofessional, the stuff is fabulous to use. And, it looks beautiful.
Be sure to use their lambswool applicator pads to use when doing your floor job. Faster than brushing, you can work mostly standing up, and much better results.
"Is the extra time worth the wait?"
Yes. If you start walking on it after it is dry but before it is cured the oil will pick up and hold a lot of dirt. After it is cured it doesn't pick up the dirt so easily and it can be cleaned.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.