Hi, I pulled all the carpets in the bedroom out and need to varnish them to match the existing timber floorboard. * How to varnish the floor timber to match the old varnish timber floorboards? * Should I revarnish the existing one throughout the entire house to make it uniform? * Some parts in the kitchen has raw timber exposed like in the photo * What do I use to fill these 3mm gaps between the timber floorboards?

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How to varnish timber floor?

Beginner20

Hi,

I pulled all the carpets in the bedroom out and need to varnish them to match the existing timber floorboard.

How to varnish the floor timber to match the old varnish timber floorboards?
Should I revarnish the existing one throughout the entire house to make it uniform?
Some parts in the kitchen has raw timber exposed like in the photo
What do I use to fill these 3mm gaps between the timber floorboards?

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Beginner20

How to remove the waterbased paint on the timber floor

MitchellMc

Hi @Beginner20,

To properly match the existing coat and look of the rest of the house, you really need to know what product was originally used on the floorboards. Do you have any idea what that was?

Unless you use the exact same product (same brand, same type, same sheen level), it’s very unlikely you’ll get an exact match. Even getting close can be difficult. On top of that, the age of the existing finish and the amount of wear it’s had will affect the colour and sheen. Older floors tend to darken and develop a patina over time, so a newly coated area will usually stand out.

If the rest of the house was done quite a while ago and has seen a fair bit of traffic, it might be worth considering sanding and recoating the whole house to achieve a uniform finish. That’s really the only way to guarantee everything matches properly.

Alternatively, you could coat the bare timber with something like Cabots CFP and accept that there will be a visible difference between the new and old sections.

For the 3mm gaps between the floorboards, you can use a timber floor filler. Getting the closest colour match is important so the repairs blend in as much as possible. I’d suggest looking at the colour ranges in Selleys floorboard filler and Timbermate and choosing the closest match to your existing floor.

The easiest way to remove water-based paint from a timber floor is with warm soapy water and a plastic scraper. Start by dampening the painted area with warm water mixed with a mild detergent and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the paint. Once it begins to loosen, gently scrape it off using a plastic scraper, taking care not to gouge or scratch the timber surface. Work slowly and avoid using metal tools, as they can damage the finish. After removing the paint, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly. If needed, a small amount of methylated spirits on a cloth can help lift dried water-based paint, but test in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t affect the floor finish.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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