How to match the stain on my timber floors?

[RenoPause]

Hi there!

I’ve recently removed the old carpet from my bedroom. Once sanded I want the timber colour to be the same and gloss like the rest of the floors in my place (Second photo is what I’m aiming for). I need some help as I’m not sure what paints including colours to use!

Any help will be appreciated!

 

 

[Jason]

Hi @RenoPause,

Welcome to the wonderful Bunnings Workshop community. We're confident you will get loads of helpful information, advice and inspiration for all your projects around the house and garden from our clever and creative members.

You floorboards look wonderful. Do you know what kind of timber they are? I would imagine our members are going to struggle to identify the right colour stain to use without actually seeing your floorboards. You might want to consider getting a flooring specialist in to complete the sanding and sealing. 

Let me tag the ever-helpful @EricL for his thoughts. 

Jason

[StevieB]

Welcome @RenoPause.

Let me also tag @MitchellMc, who will be back on the site on Friday, and @TedBear for their thoughts.

Stevie

[TedBear]

Hi @RenoPause , although impossible to be certain from a photo, the 2nd pic looks a lot like an Oak stain to me.  You may be able to get a sample chip to check and if it looks right, perhaps get a small tin to try in an inconspicuous area. Give that area a sand by hand first, since the final job will be sanded back to remove any patchiness before staining and coating.  The Bunnings guys, Mitchel or Eric will know more about the best products to use than I know.

[RenoPause]

Thanks @Jason @StevieB @TedBear!!

I would really be interested in finding out what products I should buy for the stain and coating. But I’m kinda lost with all the varieties available. I understand it’s difficult to determine the exact colour stain from a photo but if there’s any suggestions about a similar colour or brand that would be terrific! 

Looking forward to hear from Mitchell or Eric on their thoughts.

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

Hi @RenoPause,

That's Cypress Pine which was commonly laid in many homes in the 70's/80's. It is a mass installation type deal, and I don't believe any stain would have been added to the coating. It's likely just a clear oil-based hard coating. Something like Cabot's 4L Gloss Cabothane Clear CFP Floor Polyurethane would be the equivalent to it these days. However, it won't have that honey/yellow hue.

Older floor coatings tended to be quite orange/yellow as it was a trait of oil-based polyurethanes. Today's market is more aimed at clear coatings, so you might not find the CFP an exact match. Coating technology has improved dramatically and issues with this yellowing are much less noticeable. As always, do a small test section to check first.

There is not a stain that I could recommend that will replicate this look exactly. I'd suggest starting with the clear, though. Our team in-store would also be happy to provide some suggestions and many will have samples of different coatings on Cypress Pine.

Please let us know if you have questions.

Mitchell

[RenoPause]

Thanks Mitchell! This was most helpful. I’ve finished the stain today. 

 

[MitchellMc]

Great job, @RenoPause. It looks fantastic!

As you can see, it doesn't have that orangey tint to it, but that looks much more attractive and modern than the previous coating.

Mitchell