Tips & Tricks: When staining parquet flooring with IRSA Basic Color
- Invariably a test staining must be carried out (with newly laid parquet flooring on the sample piece of the original parquet) with the desired varnish or oil system (only use IRSA HP-Oil High-Protection). Wood is a natural product and according to the material content and growing area can have differing reactions and show colour discrepancies.
- Show the customer as large a surface area as possible (the stained large surface can look different to a small wooden sample which was polished manually) and get the desired colour confirmed in writing. Make it clear to the customer in writing that manual staining is a skilled profession, during which subtle colour graduations can occur.
- The surface must show an evenness in polish (even at the edge areas; i.e. the surface must be completely sanded with the same sanding grit (e.g. 120 grit on oak), so that the colour primer does not soak in at varying degrees and cause patches. On surfaces which soak up less, like bamboo or olive wood parquet, check whether a coarser end sanding will bring better results.
- Ensure that all sanding dust has been completely removed.
- Apply a thin and even coat of the colour primer IRSA Basic Color and make completely sure that it is rubbed in while still damp. Any possible traces caused by polishing should be continually polished along the wood grain until they are no longer visible.
- The amount of colour primer applied, and the time taken to work it in, influence the intensity of the colour tone. This is why larger areas should invariably be stained by several workers.
- The colour tone desired by the customer should be achieved with one application (therefore also carry out a test stain and present it; also see point 6).
- When staining in summer avoid direct sunlight on the floor; the floor temperature should lie between minimum +18° C, maximum +25° C, and the humidity be approximately 55 % .
- 9. One must pay particular attention that light stained surfaces are only sealed with lightproof sealants. Also varnishes which give a stronger glow effect (e.g. an artificial oil resin system) should not be used on light pigmented wood surfaces.
The customer must be given some important written instructions.
Stained and smoked wooden flooring will show varying degrees of wear in the course of time and use. It will hardly be possible to maintain an evenness of colour in the worn areas at a later date.
In order to delay having to carry out a complete restoration with sanding down for as long as possible, a problem free re-varnishing can only be achieved if the sealant is not worn right down to the stain. For this reason it is recommended to use sealants which can take heavy duty wear and tear on stained parquet flooring (thus long term avoidance of worn-in-tracks). In particular the very hard wearing ultra mat water-based varnish for parquet Platinum 3030 2C gives a very beautiful, almost invisible surface effect, as though oiled. IRSA Platinum 3055 2C water-based varnish for parquet, on the other hand, gives a deep gloss surface. IRSA Platinum 3010 2C is used when a silk mat surface finish is desired.
The correct maintenance and/or cleaning products care for the long-term preservation of the value of the beautiful parquet flooring. Treat ultra mat surfaces with IRSA Aqua Star R9 (silk mat) and deep gloss parquet flooring with IRSA Aqua Star.
The appropriate care instructions, which are available free of charge from the manufacturer IRSA should be enclosed with the price offer and the invoice.
Please also pay attention to the label as well as the technical data sheet for IRSA Basic Color and the sealants.