Protection That Keeps Your Wood Floor Lasting For Long

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Protection That Keeps Your Wood Floor Lasting For Long

Wood floors have plenty going for them. They are sturdy, capable of handling high traffic, which is why they are used in establishments that witness heavy footfall. They bring a natural charm to the surface, and this is actually one of their most appealing traits. Each wood species comes with its particular character, and the floorboards themselves have different grain patterns and marks, meaning that no two boards are ever truly identical. This brings a unique look and feel to the space. Moreover, there is a wide range of wood stains and finishes that can be applied to the floor, enabling you to end up with a stylish look that meets your own individual preferences. Add this to attributes like the insulation properties where they reduce the amount of heat loss from the building – which is key in cutting down your monthly energy bills, to aspects such as the numerous times the floor can be renovated without having to pull out the boards. Definitely, the wood floor was a pricy installation and you want it to last for as long as it can. Applying protective treatments is key for this, and that’s where formulations like the Carver Omeg-Art Floor Lacquer come in. 

The Application Process

First, the floor needs to be prepared. The existing finishes need to be removed. Sand it down to the bare wood, getting rid of any oil, varnish, or wax that are on it. Blemishes such as deep scratches and gaps can be resolved at this stage as well, using a mixture of the sanding dust and the preferred filler product in order to give the mixture properties that are similar to the rest of the flooring. The grit sequence to be followed during the sanding will vary based on the condition of the floor, but it is recommended that you use grit 100-120 for the final pass. Vacuum away the dust and clean the surface with an anti-static cloth to get rid of any residual particles before proceeding. 

With the floor ready, you can proceed with the treatment process following these steps:

1. Shake the Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer in its bottle. This is to redistribute any solids which may have settled at the bottom. 
2. Pour the lacquer into a container that will hold the treatment to be applied. Add IDRO2 hardener to the Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer by slowly pouring it into the container while mixing it. 

Ensure that the hardener has completely been dissolved in the finish. You will notice an increase in the viscosity of the mixture, and this is normal. 

3. Give this catalysed mixture 15 minutes for the required reactions to occur within it. 
4. Apply the first coat, spreading the mixture generously over the surface. 

Note that when it comes to refinishing old floors, and also cases where the wood tissue is very dry, then you should add 10% water to the mixture that will be used for applying the first coat.

The number of coats to be applied will depend on the cycle being used, and the desired end result. This will also affect the waiting periods before the sanding and applying the topcoat. Here are some of the scenarios:

• Using the Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer with the FAST water-based primer for a rapid water cycle
• Working with either FONDO 300, AQUAHIT MAT or EPSILON MAT as the primers, and adding 1-2 coats of the Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer. This finishing process will retain the natural colour of the wood.
• The Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer lacquer can be used directly on light coloured woods, applying two coats of the product then adding 1 extra coat of any of the other three versions of the lacquer to finish it. 
• If you want to change the colour of the wood with an effect similar to applying a solvent-based varnish, then use the water-based RAFFELLO as a primer, followed by 1 or 2 coats of the Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer

5. Allow the treatment to dry. While it will have dried to the touch in under an hour, give the floor at least 24 hours drying time before allowing light traffic back onto it. 

Pointers To Take Note Of During Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer Application

• The atmospheric conditions have an impact on the drying and curing process. For optimal results, apply the product when temperatures are between 15°C and 35°C, and the relative humidity is between 35% to 75%.

Is the weather really hot in your area? Then you can delay the drying process by adding 5-10% water to the catalysed finish, or topping it up with 2% of DILUENTE GRIP.

• The waiting periods indicated are vital and should not be ignored. 

• When the recoating is being carried out without the surface being sanded, then you should not exceed a 6-hour waiting period after the first coat is applied. 
• If the surface is being sanded after the first coat is applied, then the subsequent Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer should be applied within a 30-hour window. 

Should this be exceeded, then the floor will first need to be washed using IDROCLEANER (also from the same brand). In addition, top up the catalysed finish with 5% of the DILUENTE GRIP and mix well. 

• After each sanding stage, be it at the onset when you’re preparing the floor, or the light sanding that is carried out in between consecutive coats, the surface should the thoroughly vacuumed. Dust particles remaining on the floor will be trapped by the wet Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer coats, which will affect the quality of the results. 

Maintaining Floors Treated with Chimiver Ecostar 2K Floor Lacquer

Routine dusting is needed, to prevent the particles from building up on the surface and becoming abrasive underfoot. It is recommended that you work with antistatic cloths for this. You can also use a vacuum sweeper. 

When it comes to the cleaning, you can use a diluted DETER PARQUET solution, working with a soft cloth. You can follow this with a POLISH PARQUET treatment depending on the kind of traffic handled by the floor. The latter formulation is also used for the routine maintenance of the surface.

Protection That Keeps Your Wood Floor Lasting For Long