Chimiver Ecostar Review

Chimiver Ecostar Review

Protecting your wood floor starts right at the treatment stage, with the kind of finish that is applied onto the surface. Lacquers are used to set a barrier that shields the underlying floor from all the wear and tear that it is exposed to on a daily basis. Abrasive effects of foot traffic, scratches from pets’ claws or furniture, the sun’s effects on the installation, those occasional food and drinks pills that create stains, and risks of water damage when the wood floor absorbs excess moisture – it all affects the floor. Neglecting proper care can result in fast deterioration of the wood floor, and making repairs will be costly. You want your installation to retain its structural integrity for the long haul. Applying a protective finish is the first step in this. That’s where formulations like the Chimiver Ecostar come in. Here, we will focus on what you can expect from this product, and the measures you can take to get the most out of the formulation. 

Benefits Of The Chimiver Ecostar

• High solids content 

When it comes to performance in floor protection, this formulation delivers on its mandate. The high solids content of the Chimiver Ecostar provides superior durability. The lacquer sets a thick protective coating with a high resistance to wear and tear. This makes it ideal for high traffic areas as well. From hospital floors that need finishes that can withstand heavy foot traffic, gurneys, and equipment, schools and universities, where all that footfall leads to scuffs and scratches on floors, and restaurants that are faced with spills and heavy foot traffic, especially in dining areas and kitchens – the Chimiver Ecostar comes in to ensure that the installation receives the required protection. The tough finish also means there will be less resources going into maintenance. This is as reducing the frequency of subsequent recoatings translates into saving more time and money, which is beneficial for both residential and commercial spaces. 

• Brings a richer and more lustrous look to the floor

When looking for a floor finish, you also want a product that will enhance the aesthetics of the installation. You get that with Chimiver Ecostar. After all, part of the maintenance is getting the floor to last for long, and the other part is having the floor looking its optimal. The formulation brings a warm and slightly oxidised look to the floor, and you can set the finish in gloss levels ranging from LD that’s 60 gloss, SL at 40 gloss, OP at 20 gloss, and SUPER OP which is at 13 gloss. 

The aesthetic appeal from floors treated with Chimiver Ecostar enhances the look and feel of the home, making it more inviting. It accentuates the space, which is beneficial whether you’re simply looking to enhance your personal style, or are putting the house up on the market. Speaking of which, treating your floors with finishes like the Chimiver Ecostar adds to the property value, since potential buyers and tenants of the space will be more open to snapping up the property. Residential and commercial spaces with visually appealing floors will be easier to sell, and fetch higher prices in the market. 

In commercial spaces, the warm look from this water-based lacquer enhances the professional image of the space. The impact of Chimiver Ecostar is seen across the industries. Boutique hotels use it to invest in a unique and visually stunning lobby floor to stand out from their competitors. The floor finish sets a backdrop for brand logos that are applied to pop, whether it’s in consultancy offices, clothing stores or malls. High-end jewellery stores can treat their floors with the water-based lacquer to create a lux ambience, which enhances the perception of the products being sold. Even restaurants benefit from having aesthetically pleasing floors that contribute to creating a memorable dining experience for customers.

• Fast drying formulation 

When carrying out floor finishing projects, you want the process to flow smoothly, and to take as minimal time as possible. At home, it disrupts your usual daily routine, and inconveniences your family. After all, the rooms where the finishing process is being carried out will be out of bounds to the rest of the family. Things can get more difficult to manage with kids and pets around. In business environments, you don’t want your services being grinded to a halt for longer than expected. Sealing off entire sections of the establishment because the floors are all wet and tacky for days will be a hit to your productivity. In addition to lost revenue opportunities, there are also the potential liabilities that could result if someone were to slip and fall on wet or unfinished floors. 

With the Chimiver Ecostar, you won’t have to worry about prolonged delays and frustrating inconveniences. It has been formulated to dry quickly, resulting in a floor that’s ready to use in hours, not days. In just 40 minutes, it will be dust dry. This means that, by this short period the lacquer will have dried enough to prevent dust or other debris from sticking to it. Within 2 hours, it will be fingerprint dry. The surface will be ready for overcoating in just 2-4 hours after the first coat has been applied. Note that these specific time intervals are measured for when conditions are at 20°C for the temperature and 65% for the R.H. The actual time for your particular situation will depend on the prevailing conditions when the treatment is applied. 

Using the Chimiver Ecostar together with primers like the acrylic-polyurethane Ecorapid can also speed up the drying process. This primer in particular is a single-component and water-based agent that accelerates the lacquering process, allowing you to finish the task within just a day. Start by applying two coats of the primer, with a 30-minute drying time between them. Give this treatment 2 hours to dry, then proceed to apply the Ecostar formulation. 

How To Use The Chimiver Ecostar

The floor being worked on should be cleaned, sanded and vacuumed. Dirt and debris that’s on the surface would be an impediment to the bonding process between the Chimiver Ecostar and the wood floor. Patches of old finish would result in an uneven finish. Sanding the floor will also reveal any hidden damage or imperfections in the wood. These can be repaired before applying the new treatment, to deliver optimal results. 

Note: 

• It’s recommended that you shake the Chimiver Ecostar well in its container before use
• If you’re uncertain about the suitability of the finish for your particular situation, first carry out a spot test on an inconspicuous area. This also applies when you’re using the lacquer on wood that has tannin. 

Once ready, proceed with these steps:

1. Spread the first coat of the lacquer onto the surface. Ensure that you have achieved a uniform coat. You can use tools like a trowel for the application. 

Applying a uniform coat ensures that you give the floor an even appearance. After all, you don’t want any patchy areas.  It also ensures that the protective attributes of the water-based lacquer are consistent across the entire surface, and prolong the lifetime of the applied finish. 

Also, note that the Chimiver Ecostar is a ready-to-use formulation, so you won’t need to dilute it. 

2. Give the first coat 2 to 4 hours to dry. This is ample time for the first layer to bond properly with the wood surface for optimal durability. It also sets the stage for the second coat to be applied evenly, which is the next step.
3. Spread another coat of the Chimiver Ecostar onto the floor. 

Note: If this second layer is applied after just 2-4 hours, you won’t need to sand the surface. 

If 12-24 hours have passed since the first layer was applied, then you will need to sand the floor. Use 220 grit sandpaper for this.  

4. Allow the floor to dry. A third coat can be applied, but after allowing the existing treatment to dry.  

Alternative Application Cycle

The Chimiver Ecostar is also suitable for those cases where you’re working with a “Primer + Finish” cycle. Here, use it together with the Ecocrom formulation, a water-based primer.

Get More Out Of The Chimiver Ecostar With These Tips

• Before applying the lacquer on the floor, shake it well within its container. Over time, the heavier ingredients could have settled to the bottom of the container. Shaking the bottle thoroughly mixes up the ingredients. It also redistributes the pigments within the solution. This ensures a consistent and uniform finish.
• Ensure that the sanding carried out before the Chimiver Ecostar application is thorough, and blemishes like scratches and dents are resolved. The goal of the sanding is to wind up with a smooth surface, and also open up the pores of the wood. That way the lacquer can penetrate deeply into the material. However, be careful not to ‘oversand the floor’ as this will block those pores of wood, and ruin the quality of the results.
• You can improve the final outcome by lightly sanding the finish after each coat has been applied

The Brand Behind Ecostar

When you’re in the market for a wood floor finish, choosing the right brand can make all the difference. What’s the reputation of the brand, and how available are its products?  Trying out products from an unknown brand can be disappointing.  You don’t want to experiment with just any floor care product, since it’s already an expensive undertaking. If you get disappointed with the results, you end up having to redo the process – and this usually involves sanding down to the bare wood to apply fresh new coats. You want to be sure of the quality of the brand’s product from the moment you make the purchase. Check out reviews from past clients who have used their products, and also look into recommendations by professional floor care contractors. Dig through their social media pages and see what users have to say. Are the comments mostly positive? In case of any customer complaints, how were they addressed? Looking through these will enable you to paint a picture about the quality of the brand. 

What about product availability? There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a product, only to find out it’s no longer available when you need to replace it. Here, you want to get your floor care solutions from a brand with a strong distribution network. That way, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to find it when you need it.

The brand behind the Chimiver Ecostar under review has a great track record. Since its founding in the 1960s by Mr. Giovanni Panseri and his wife Franca, it has grown to become the leading manufacturer of glueing, treatment, cleaning, and maintenance products for different kinds of surfaces – ranging from wooden floors to resin and parquet surfaces, for indoor and outdoor setups. The brand even has formulations that have been developed for use on synthetic grass turf. 

In regards to reach, it has established its presence in 60 countries around the world. Heavy investments into its R&D processes have seen the brand deliver a wide range of products to be used on residential and commercial floors. In fact, by 1982, the brand had already begun producing adhesives for parquet floors.  Just three years later, it was providing solutions for furniture items and carpentry products.  In 1995, the brand’s UV varnishing system began production, where the formulas hardened after being exposed to ultraviolet light for just a couple of seconds. Fast forward to 2014, the brand began developing product lines for resilient floors and resin floors. All this was done with strict quality control standards – an aspect that saw it get ISO 9001 certification. 

The surface care industry is highly competitive. Having survived and thrived in it for over half a century is testament to the value that customers place in the brand, as well as the continued trust in its products. This also applies to the Chimiver Ecostar under review here, which gives you a value return for every buck spent on it.

Threats To Your Wood Floor – And How Chimiver Ecostar Helps

• The Moisture Menace 

Excessive moisture is one of the biggest threats to wood floors. It causes the wood to warp, swell, or even rot. This can be caused by spills, leaks, or high humidity levels. Anything from drink spills that were ignored, a plumbing leak that resulted in flooding incidents, all through to simply leaving a wet umbrella on the floor for an extended period increases the chances of water damage. Finishes like the Chimiver Ecostar come in to increase the resistance of the floor to this kind of damage. However, that doesn’t mean that you should allow the spilled liquids to remain on the floor for long. Clear them up as soon as possible.

• Heavy Foot Traffic

Over time, heavy foot traffic can wear down the finish of a wood floor, causing it to look dull and dingy. This is especially true in high-traffic areas like hallways, entryways, and living rooms. From busy homes with kids running around and playing with their toys, to restaurants and retail stores that handle a lot of foot traffic on a daily basis – they all need protection. Here, it’s imperative to work with a floor finish whose wear resistance attributes match the traffic levels witnessed. The durability you get with the Chimiver Ecostar wards off the wear and tear effects, allowing your floor to remain in optimal condition for longer. 

• Furniture weight and scratches

Moving furniture across a wood floor can cause scratches and dents in the wood. From the dining chair that is frequently dragged across the room, to those miniscule movements of the heavy sets in the living room -they all affect the floor. You can prevent this by placing felt pads under furniture legs or by using furniture sliders when moving heavy pieces. That’s in addition to the round-the-clock protection the floor receives from the Chimiver Ecostar layers that have been applied on the floor. 

• The sun beaming down on the floor

Direct sunlight on the other hand causes wood floors to fade and lose their colour over time. This is a result of UV rays breaking down the finish of the wood. This can be prevented by using curtains or blinds to block out the sun or by using UV-blocking window film. The kind of finish that the floor is treated with also matters, where you want a formulation that can resist the effects of the radiation – where you look for attributes like a “non-yellowing effect”

• Wear and tear from your furry friend

Are there cats or dogs in the property? Pets are a notorious threat to wood floors. Their claws scratch the surface of the wood, and those spills at the drinking bowl can cause moisture damage. Urine stains are also a concern. They can seep into the wood and cause discoloration. The urine is corrosive, and can break down the wood tissue. 

You can protect your floor by using rugs and mats: Place them in high-traffic areas or areas where pets spend a lot of time, like entryways, hallways, and living rooms. This helps protect against scratches and stains. Trim Fluffy’s nails as well, to minimise the amount of damage that they can do.

Clean up the spills and urine accidents your pets cause immediately. When doing so, use pet-friendly floor cleaners. Avoid harsh chemicals or cleaners that could end up damaging the wood or breaking down the Chimiver Ecostar treatment that has been applied. It’s recommended that you create a designated pet area for your furry friend to play and relax, such as a crate or playpen. This can help keep them off the open floor and minimise damage. Also train your pet to avoid certain areas of the house where the floors are particularly susceptible to damage, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behaviour.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting The Right Floor Finish 

The success of your floor treatment project depends on the kind of product that you use for the task. There are plenty of choices to go with, each suited for specific needs. Here is a guide to how you can identify the right formulation for your situation:

• Type of finish

First on your priority list is picking finishes that match your floor care needs. Take oil-based finishes for instance. These are a traditional choice, and are known for the rich and warm look that they bring to wood floors. These formulations have been made using natural oils and resins, which penetrate into the wood to deliver their protective and aesthetic attributes. However, they take longer to dry compared to water-based finishes, and are notorious for releasing strong odours and high VOC content compared to water-based finishes. They also tend to yellow over time. 

Water-based finishes on the other hand have become widely popular for their protective attributes, the low VOC content as well as being environmentally friendly. With formulations like Chimiver Ecostar, you get to enhance the durability and aesthetics of your floor without posing a risk to persons in the persons or the surrounding biodiversity. They also dry fast – usually in just a few hours. With these formulations, you won’t have to worry about them yellowing, making them ideal for situations where you want to maintain the original colour of the wood floor. When it comes to maintenance, water-based finishes require more upkeep than oil-based finishes, but they’re still relatively easy to maintain. Regular cleaning with a damp mop and occasional recoating will keep your floors looking great for years to come.

With wax-based finishes, you’ll find them more in antique establishments or historic homes. They are made using natural waxes and oils, and deliver a low lustre finish. They are also particularly easy to apply and you can buff them to a high shine. However, they are less durable compared to oil- or water-based finishes. You end up having to take them through frequent maintenance cycles to keep them looking good – in the long run costing you more time and money. Also note that these finishes are not water-resistant, which makes them more susceptible to damage by spills or moisture.

• Expected performance and durability

For a finish that can handle daily wear and tear, polyurethane or varnish are good choices. They’ll protect your floors from scratches, stains, and dents. This is especially important if you have pets or a big family.

Polyurethane is a synthetic finish that’s especially popular for high-traffic areas. It’s resistant to scratches, stains, and water, making it perfect for areas like hallways, living rooms, and kitchens. There are different types of polyurethane finishes to choose from, so you can find the one that suits your needs – whether you want an oil-based finish for a warm, amber glow, or a water-based one like Chimiver Ecostar. Varnish is also a durable option. It’s made from resins, oils, and solvents, and forms a hard, glossy finish on your floors. However, it’s a bit less durable than polyurethane. 

• Appearance

The finish you choose can affect how your floors look, so think about the gloss level and colour. A clear matte finish can enhance the natural colour of your wood floors and complement your decor. This is for those who are more laid-back and want a look that’s easy on the eyes. High gloss finishes deliver more shine and reflection. Stain finishes are like a middle ground between the two. Also, you want your floor finish to complement your decor, not clash with it. If your room has a lot of warm tones, choose a finish that enhances the natural warmth of the wood. This is like the warm and slightly oxidised look you get with the Chimiver Ecostar. High-gloss finishes also tend to give a more futuristic feel to the space. Next is choosing between clear and stained looks. Clear finishes will allow the beauty of the natural wood to shine through, while stained finishes give you a more consistent look across the entire floor. 

• Health and safety

Your goal is to protect the floor and enhance its appeal – not have the indoor spaces being choke-full of toxic agents. VOCs are a key concern. These are chemicals that can be released into the air and can cause a range of health problems, from eye, nose, and throat irritation to more serious respiratory issues. Low-VOC or no-VOC finishes are better for your health and for the environment in general. Check for certifications from organisations like Greenguard or Green Seal. These ensure that products meet strict environmental and health standards.

Water-based finishes are in particular a great choice for families with children or pets. They contain fewer VOCs than oil-based finishes and are more environmentally friendly. They also dry faster and have a milder odour, making them more pleasant to work with.

Are there kids or elderly persons on the premises? Then the slip resistance of the finish can be a factor to consider. Here, get a finish that won’t be too slippery when wet. 

• Application

What kind of tools are you working with? Which processes will be more convenient for your situation? You have different options to work with here. For instance, self-levelling polyurethane finishes are ideal for those seeking an easy-to-apply finish that dries rapidly. They are single-component finishes that do not require mixing, levels out on their own, and can be applied in multiple coats on the same day. 

Regarding the tools, some finishes are applied with brushes – where you need a high-quality brush to avoid leaving streaks or brush marks. Spray-on finishes on the other hand are ideal for covering a large area. They are quick and easy to apply and can provide a smooth, even finish. However, they can be messy and require some practice to get right.

Avoid These Mistakes When Applying The Wood Floor Finish 

1. Failing to prepare the surface properly

Don’t rush the preparation, or take shortcuts. This can lead to issues such as uneven application or poor adhesion of the finish to the wood. For instance, if you don’t sand or clean the floor properly, the lacquer may not adhere evenly to the surface, resulting in an uneven appearance.  Contaminants like dirt or oils prevent the Chimiver Ecostar from adhering well to the surface. The poor adhesion can end up causing the finish to peel or flake over time. Any debris on the floor that gets trapped under the finish coats will ruin the appearance of the finish. Stains or discolouration will also show through, negatively affecting the aesthetics of your floor. 

2. Over-applying the lacquer

This can result in a thick, uneven coating that will take longer to dry – meaning the entire project will be extended. The appearance can also get uneven, with some areas being thicker or lighter than others. When excess material is used, which will need to be removed or sanded down, this would amount to being wasted material.  The Chimiver Ecostar in particular has a coverage rate of 80-100 g/m². This wide coverage rate also has the welcome benefit of reducing the overall costs that go into the floor finishing project. 

3. Not allowing the finish to dry properly

The last thing you want in your freshly finished floor is bubbles or uneven streaks forming. Such imperfections can only be removed by resanding the affected coats, costing you more time and money.  Rushing to add more coats without allowing the initial ones to sufficiently dry can also compromise the durability and longevity of the finish. This ends up making it more susceptible to damage from foot traffic, spills, and other wear and tear. 

For instance, even though the Chimiver Ecostar will be dust dry in under an hour, you should still allow the 2 to 4-hour period before top coating it. Also allow the finish to fully dry and cure before placing carpets or other floor covering on it, or wet cleaning the area. 

4. Applying the finish in the wrong conditions

There’s a reason why the manufacturer insists on the Chimiver Ecostar being applied when the temperature is between 10°C and 25° C. The prevailing conditions affect the drying and curing process – so be keen on the temperature and humidity that are there before proceeding with the application. For example, if the air is too humid, the wood floor lacquer will take longer to dry or cure. This can lead to imperfections like bubbles or blisters. This is caused by the excess moisture in the air preventing the finish from properly bonding with the wood surface. It starts bubbling up or forming blisters as it dries. High humidity can cause uneven drying, leading to inconsistent finish. On the other hand, if the air is too dry, the wood floor finish can dry too quickly.  Moisture evaporating from the coats of finish too fast can also cause bubbles.

Chimiver Ecostar Review