Glossary
Oil-based finish
An oil-based finish is a clear floor coat that uses a solvent to carry the finish onto the floor. It has a strong smell, dries slowly, and turns amber over the years, which gives many older floors their warm color.
What is an oil-based finish?
For a long time, oil-based polyurethane was the most common finish on wood floors. Many older homes still have it. You can often spot it by its warm, amber color. Oil-based finish starts out with a slight color and keeps turning more yellow or orange as it ages.
It has some downsides for the people living in the house. The smell is strong, and it takes a long time to dry, so families often leave home while it goes on.
Water-based finishes are different. They have much less odor, dry faster, and go on clear and stay clear. The FloorIt finish is a two-part, water-based urethane.
What does that mean for a recoat? A recoat cannot change the color of a floor. The amber color of an old oil-based finish is in the existing coat, and a clear coat on top will not remove it. If the homeowner loves the warm look, that is fine. If they want a lighter or different color, the floor needs a full sand and refinish.
The check before every job stays the same: real wood or LVP, finish still on it, and no wax or problem cleaners. If you are not sure what finish is on a floor, take clear photos in good light and ask the flooring company FloorIt partners with.
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