Everyone wants to own and enjoy the perfect looking wooden floor. In fact, wood floors are naturally beautiful, but they also need proper treatment and upkeep to keep their beauty for longer and enjoy lasting durability. The key to enjoying your wooden floor in tip-top condition and attractive-looking is making sure it is treated properly and professionally starting from its installation.
A great way to maintain the beauty of your floor or completely transform its look is by staining it in a colour of your choice. However, before the floor is stained, it is the first time for some high-quality wood primers to prepare the wood for the process of staining and ensure the dye will be applied evenly and will last for longer.
Now, you are probably wondering what exactly are wood primers and how your floor will benefit from wood primers? Are wood primers really that necessary for your floor or wood primers are something you can live without? Let's answer all your questions in this helpful guide to wood primers.
What Are Wood Primers?
Wood primers explained
Wood primers are essentially professional products you use before staining the wooden floor or other woodwork. Wood primers are applied before the wood floor dye or stain. Wood primers are described as an undercoat or preparatory coating. You can apply wood primers even if you don't stain or paint wood, however, the usage of wood primers before staining a wooden floor is necessary for achieving an even and uniform look. In addition, wood primers help for the application of other products on top, allowing for smooth and easy application.
Wood primers are further benefits for the durability of the staining job. Wood primers help the wood floor stain or dye to last longer and ensure better adhesion of the colour pigments to the surface of the wooden floor. Finally, wood primers are also beneficial for the wood itself, because wood primers further protect the surface of your floor and preserve its initial condition, natural colour, and texture. Wood primers will further help you make sure the floor doesn't experience too much wear and tear, as well as imperfections such as micro-scratches, dents, and marks.
When to Use Wood Primers?
Wood primers - when to use
As we have already mentioned, wood primers are applied before the wooden floor or wood is stained. For newly installed floors, this would usually mean that wood primers should be used on a clean and dry surface, next you can continue with the application of wood primers. When it comes to an older and worn wooden floor, however, you would like to first have the floor sanded and then continue with the application of wood primers. Wood floor sanding is essential for preparing the floor for staining and refinishing. It strips off the old finish and stain of the floor along with all imperfections on the surface such as scratches, stains, dirt buildup, marks, dents, and more. By sanding the floor you are creating a smooth and even surface, opening the pores of the wood and ensuring even and uniform application of wood primers, stains, dyes, and finishing products.
What Sorts of Wood Primers to Use?
What wood primers to use
There are different types of wood primers available on the market. You should choose the right wood primers depending on the type of wooden floor you work with and its general condition and age. Professional recommends treating newly installed wooden floors that have not been stained previously with high-quality latex wood primers and oil-based wood primers. In case your wooden floor has already been stained in the past, you would like to use stain-blocking wood primers after sanding the floor. In case your wooden floor is pretty old and shows some signs of wear and tear, you need to use high-quality latex wood primers and oil-based wood primers too.
How to Use Wood Primers?
Wood primers - how to use
Before applying and working with wood primers, you want to make sure the surface of the floor is thoroughly cleaned, especially if the floor has been sanded beforehand, which is a process that creates a lot of dust and mess. It is really important to remove even the last dust and dirt particle, otherwise, they will remain trapped in the wood primers once you apply them to the surface of the floor. Use a vacuum machine for thoroughly cleaning the floor. Do not forget that when vacuuming a wooden floor, you always want to use the attachment of the vacuum machine that is designed for hardwood flooring. It comes with softer bristles that prevent scratching the surface of the floor while cleaning it.
Next, you can use a slightly damp rag or mop to collect the rest of the dust and dirt remaining on the surface of the floor. Never use an excessive amount of water or liquids while cleaning as this will make the wooden floorboards expand and swollen. Once you are done cleaning the floor, let it get completely dry and then you can continue with the application of wood primers. When using wood primers, you would usually apply two coats of the product of your choice. Once wood primers get dry, they usually have this slightly chalky feel that will let you know the product is dry and you can continue with the application of wood floor stains, dyes, and refinishing products.
Overall, the application is wood primers is pretty easy and quick. It is similar to when you are applying wood floor stains and finishes. You can use a tool of your choice for the application of wood primers, usually, this would be a brush. Make sure the entire surface of the floor is thoroughly covered with the product and no corner or nook is missed during the process. This will later ensure that the staining and refinishing products will also cover the floor evenly and you will get the perfect, flawless look you are going for your favourite wooden floor.
What are wood primers? When to use wood primers? What sorts of wood primers to use? How to use wood primers?