How to colour-match timber floorboards?

dr_harika

Hi, so I've been trying to update a small kitchen 2m x 2m and removing a bench where the floorboards were not finished below the bench. 

I've stuffed up but need advice on how to fix this moving forward. 

Here's what I did. 

I'vesanded it back (mainly the section where the bench used to be as it also was thicker than other areas so now it's even. This area is completely raw pine. The rest of the kitchen area is pine and has a coating which was done in the 80s so I assume the floor coating was oil based and has yellowed over time. 

I then proceeded to apply 2 coats of Cabot's CFP floor gloss without any colour staining thinking it will just bring out the natural pine colour. Now it just looks like glossy raw pine floorboards and is very obvious. 

How do I fix this? Thanks

Photo 1:

I've started to apply CFP to the right hand side which I was happy with. 

The left side of the applicator is the area that I've since stuffed up.

Photo 2:

This is after 1 coat. It looked promising that I thought a few more coats will fix it

Photo 3: after 2 coats. It seems much more pronounced now. I've stopped after this to seek help. 

EricL

Hello @dr_harika 

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but colour matching coloured varnish or sealer is one of the hardest things you can do. The original sealer applied to your floor has aged and has been exposed to the environment for a long time and is no longer its original colour, getting an exact match will be very difficult, the best you can hope for is a close match. 

When the surface of a pine panel is not sanded enough the varnish sealer or stain will not get properly absorbed. Some sections will absorb it properly others will look different or behave differently. It's like it did not absorb the sealer or stain properly. The only solution is to sand the surface again allow the pine to rest and then apply your sealer. 

I propose visiting your local store and looking at the stain and varnish sample board in the paint department. Your goal is to look for a stain that is close to the one you currently have on your floor. You might get lucky and find a stain that is very close and by applying a second coat produces a finish that is similar to the one you currently have. Grab one of the brochures and bring it home to do a comparison. 

I also suggest speaking to the senior paint specialist at the store for extra advice.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric