Can I Just Put a Stain on an Old Wood Floor to Make It Look Better?

What to Check before Applying Stains

• To find out if you can apply stain on your old wood floor, check to see if the old finish has faded completely. If this is the case, all you need to do is clean the surface of your floor and then apply a fresh coat of stain. However, if your old wood floor still has the original finish intact, the new stain may not penetrate through, especially in the case of sealed floors. Strip the floor bare before proceeding. Determine what kind of wood floor you have before choosing the type of stain to use. Each type of wood floor may have unique reactions to different types of stains.

Removing the Old Wood Stain

• Use wood strippers to remove the old finish if it is present. Strippers, usually made of chemicals, are effective in removing urethane and polyurethane finishes. Leaving them on the wood for several hours will loosen the seal, which you can scrape off later. Using a sander may be easier in most cases and is less toxic than using chemicals to remove old finishes. Keep in mind that using a belt sander can also decrease the thickness of your wood floor in the process. If you’re unsure of this step, consult a professional. Your inexperience may cause irreparable damage, which would require replacement of the damaged floor.

When Not to Stain Wood Floor

• In most cases, exotic wood such as mahogany, cherry, rosewood, walnut, pine and maple do not need stains. Their natural colors are striking enough that applying wood stains may just ruin their appeal. These premium wood floors can last a long time. In most cases, applying polyurethane can protect these types of wood from fading. Applying shellac can bring out the natural wood grain. Shellacs are non-yellowing and non-darkening, making them able to prevent further damages to your wood floor. However, if you do want to stain your old exotic wood floor, it’s crucial to achieve a consistent mixture of stain color to prevent excessive change to the quality of your exotic wood. Exotic woods can absorb stains better if you apply a two-part bleach. This method also ensures that your floors do not turn too dark.

Other Considerations

• Maple floors react terribly to staining. Despite its beauty, it simply does not accept staining uniformly, especially if you want to achieve a darker color. Maple floors can blotch for no apparent reason. Applying aniline dyes can act as top coat conditioner and make your maple wood floor finish consistent throughout.