Hardwood Refinishing Products

Strippers

• Paint and stain strippers are caustic, solvent-based products that use chemical heat to dissolve finishes, allowing them to be removed by scraping. Strippers come in two main categories, oil-based and water-based. Oil-based strippers typically work faster and are more aggressive. They are best for antique finishes with layers of wax and finish build-up, and paint. Water-based strippers have had the reputation of being ineffective, but newer water-based strippers work nearly as well as oil-based. Always provide adequate ventilation, wear gloves and put on goggles when working with chemical strippers. You will also need drop cloths, disposable paint brushes and steel wool, or nylon scrub pads.

Stains

• Wood stains come in both water and oil-based versions as well. The type of stain used depends on the project. For long-lasting finishes where deep color is a major concern, oil-based stains work best. Oil-based stain will penetrate into the grain of your hardwood, coloring it below just the top layer. Water-based stains are easier and faster to apply and simpler to clean up. Most of the color will be surface, since water-borne stain cannot penetrate as deeply. Both will require proper ventilation and should be used with drop cloths and gloves to prevent staining surrounding surfaces and your own skin. You will need either lint-free cloth applicators, or brushes to apply the stain.

Finishes

• The clear glossy finish on most hardwoods is applied as a varnish over the stained wood. Both oil- and water-based versions of these are available as well. Oil-based varnishes are long lasting, but may prove more difficult to work with, especially for beginners. Water-based finishes go on easily and are less mess to clean up. Whichever you choose, select a varnish that is recommended for your project, especially if you are redoing hardwood flooring. Not all varnishes harden completely, and a varnish that remains soft, or may soften with heat, is not the best for floors. In general, it is best to use oil-based finishes over oil-based stain, and water over water. You will also need to choose your sheen; finishes come in everything from matte to high gloss. Consult the label for specific recommendations.

All-in-one Finishes

• In cases where a quick refinish is desired, stain and finish all-in-one may be the best product. These stains contain varnish and are applied with a brush, much like paint. Since the varnish is mixed in, the stain coloring will be mostly on the surface of the wood, even with oil-based all-in-ones. The advantages are as follows: it goes on faster, with two coats of one product, versus multiple products, and it is faster and less expensive. The disadvantage is that the finish will not look as good, or last as well. Here again both oil and water bases are available.