Is Minwax gel stain an easy option?
I have old oak flooring in pretty good shape. APPX 500 sq ft. I've had anywhere from $700-1800 quotes to refurbish. There's about 1800 reasons not to go this route. HELP!! I've been told Minwax Gel stain was a good option. FYI bad knee issues.
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Hi, I found this article
https://repurposelifeblog.com/restaining-hardwood-floors-the-easy-way/
Stain is stain and will change the color. I use polyurethane to seal, protect and shine up the floor. I have found that the polyurethane with out any added color/ stain still changes the shade a little bit, as you would expect : a bit more yellow/ orange. Depending on the color you like that might be enough and you could skip the stain, and Just polyurethane. I have not used any actual WAX product on the floors in years. I have used a minwax " polyshades" product which combines stain and polyurethane in the same can in store bought pre-mixed proportions of stain and poly so you get a pretty uniform color - you still need to stir!
What was included in the price quotes you got? A gallon of polyurethane is now i think around $35? plus the brush separate (smallish) paper or plastic bucket ( so you don't risk contamination of the whole gallon)and mineral spirits and rags/ soap water eventual cleanup. Wearing disposable gloves is smart and maybe disposable/ don't care long pants and socks. Oops forgot some sandpaper - and a block of wood ? if you plan to do that " very light " sanding in between coats.
If you are thinking that you need power sanding; that is a different level of work and a bigger level of mess!
Sorry about your knee issues! now that I re-read the question.. well- i would be doing this basically right down there on the floor and the knees would take a bit of a beating, I sort of scoot around on the floor with knees tucked under me. I have tried to apply Polyurethane with a lambswool spreader and a roller. and was sort of horrified at how much product is " soaked up " into the roller, so i went back to the brush. I know other people use those tools , making it more like moping the floor, but I have never done it myself.
Who is going to move furniture out of the way and back into place?
Thank you so much for your insight. Just Another quick question. Do you hire out? I'm really joking(a little bit)I'm truly so thankful for the information you've provided.