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Decide whether or not you want to stain your floor. Choose a stain. Apply a durable floor sealant to the hardwood prior to staining it. Stain the floor generously using a brush, a rag or a roller. Add as many additional coats as you need to achieve your desired result. Consider using a polyurethane clear-coat.
Wood stain can highlight the natural hues of the wood or it can give your floor a unique, colorful twist. If you are already happy with the color of the hardwood, you do not need to stain the floor. Move on to waxing and buffing the floor or apply a clear polyurethane finish. When picking a stain brand, value quality over quantity; don't be afraid to spend 40 or 50 dollars on a gallon. When choosing a color, keep in mind that the stain will look very different over an entire room than it did on the sample chart. Understand that the color will soak into the wood and fade slightly. Pick a finish that goes well with the room, and pick one that you're willing to live with for a long time. Depending on the brand, you will need 12 gallons (3.87.6L) of stain for an average floor. If you are attempting this for the first time, get a water-based stain: it is much easier to work with. Get a staining pad head with a detachable extension. The cheapest way is to get the replaceable pads. If you're using a semi-transparent stain, be sure to get the soft white fiber for staining, as the paint-specific pads will apply all but the solid color stain unevenly. A darker stain color can help cover up stains like dog urine that have seeped into the wood and won't come out with sanding. This will prevent uneven coverage. Ask at your local hardware store or flooring specialist; they should be able to direct you to the right product. After 10-15 minutes, use a rag to wipe away any excess stain. Pour as much stain as you will need to work with into a bucket and stir it thoroughly. This will also help to ensure even coverage. don't let the layer get too thick; you want a thin, even layer that will dry smoothly. Apply a small amount of stain to a small test area. The color may vary considerably from the display at the store. Be sure to stir the stain regularly during the application process. Avoid leaving a stain or water spill on the wood: it will stain and rot if left unattended. Allow ample drying time between each coat. Water-based stains need to dry for 2-6 hours, and oil-based stains need to dry for 6-10 hours. As it dries, you will have a better idea of whether you want another coat. You will probably need at least two coats of stain to reach the exact shade that you chose. You can get a softer finish for a natural-looking protective barrier, or a semi-gloss finish to make your new floor really shine. Use the same process to apply. Use a paint roller to evenly spread the polyurethane across the floor. Let it dry completely. Consider rolling out an extra coat for added protection and shine. If you do not want to use polyurethane, you can choose to wax and buff the floor instead. Try to stick to the base you used for the floor: if you chose a water-based stain, then be sure to use a water-based polyurethane clear-coat. Once you've applied the polyurethane coat, do not walk on the floor for 24 hours (or as long as the urethane packaging says that it needs to dry). If you walk on the floor before the coat is completely dry, you might smudge the gloss and leave unsightly blemishes across your hardwood. Do not steam-mop the floor for at least a month after finishing.