Staining, varnishing Tasmanian Oak with a colour

Hi everyone,
This is my first post here so try to be a little patient with me:;

My parents have just gotten a floor layed down (Tasmanian Oak) under the impression that it could be varnished or stained a colour that they like, which is a darker more red colour, instead of just clear varnishing it.

Now that the floor has been layed the guy that put it down says because its new timber, he or anyone else we try to get will not stain it, only clear it.

Is it true that because it is new Tasmanian Oak no one will put a red tint in the varnish? Is it a hard process adding colour?

My parents are stressing out and need a solution fast.

Thanks for ur time. Much appreciated.
-4addz

Cant see why not, do they want a red tinge or a deep red colour?
Tinge= add some oil based stain to the polyU
Deep red= stain the wood directly.

Sounds to me that he just doesnt want to do the job...

Thanks for that. Its a red tinge they are after.

I think we have to find the right person for the job.

Thanks heeps

-4addz

Adding a tint of color and getting a uniform color on a large floor can be a problem, because you must keep the tinting color well mixed all through the application process, or you may get blotching or the color will change in certain areas.

Staining first will work, but as you only want a 'tint' of color, you will have to thin out the color of the stain, in other words if you take a med or light mahogany and first test it on a piece of scrap wood, it may have to be thinned out with the "proper solvent" and then test if for color, once your satisfied you will have to apply a coat of the clear poly to see the final color of the stain, you may have to make adjustments to get what you want.

Then who ever does the staining, must keep the stain well mixed so the pigments or dyes stay in solution while your staining so you get uniformity of color through out the entire floor.

Good Luck

If they use oil based stain and poly urethane, you mix the stain into the paint for such a large area as a tint. No need to dilute the stain as the poly does it for you!(just like the paint shop does for house paints)
You'll find tassie oak accepts stains very well, it is a very uniform coloured/grained wood especially with flooring grade. So long as you keep the sanding even over the whole area the colour will be ok.

4azzd, using a red stain(I suggest start with jarrah)in the poly urethane on TO will net you pinky~samon~light brown colours with a few coats. English Mahogany stain will turn it purpleish red!
If you have obtained the colour needed on the 1st or second coat, do the remainder coats in untinted poly.
AS MacS said test 1st on scraps, make sure you list out each step you take to obtain the finish colour.

Minwax makes a products called "Poly Shades", it is a stain added to their Polyurethane. It's very popular and is a big seller.

This would be the same as a "shading stain" that finishers use for spraying, except that "Poly Shades" is sold for brushing.

The problem with this product, is that the color is too strong, and it leaves an un-uniform color on the floor or furniture, and in some cases leaves streaks in the coating. If this product is thinned out, and two or three coats are used then you will get a much clearer finish with color.

I can't speaks for all stains that are added into poly, but I do know you cannot add to much color, and you cannot expect do it in one application.

Both, the coloured pigments and dyes must be kept in solution, and well mixed through out the application to get a uniform color.

Another, point of view to consider.