Help with natural red oak floor looking too "red"

illini · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:47 pm **Posts:** 2

We had red oak installed in our kitchen and living room. We decided not to stain it, just leave it natural.
The flooring people put 2 coats of a water based sealant on it which did not change the color.

The floor looks gorgeous BUT in certain light looks a little pinkish or red to us.

The next step for the floor would be 2 coats of "street shoe". It is water based. I am working with the floor guy to maybe tint the
street shoe with a green/brown color to tone down the red in the floor (but not change the color).

Sorry if this makes no sense. My floor guy has a tinted street shoe but it is a red and amber color (the last thing I need is more red)

Has anyone successfully tinted this street shoe and what did you use and how did it turn out?

Thanks for your help!

JamesTRD · **Joined:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:36 pm **Posts:** 705

no....i wouldn't touch it....

Advanced Wood Floors · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:58 pm

It's probably possible but I wouldn't recommend adding anything to it unless the manufacturer tells you it is compatible.Your flooring is brand new and the red color will be sharp until it naturally gains a patina.Three years from now, all that red will have more of an amber shade to it.

Exquisite Flooring · **Posted:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:45 pm

Definatley dont tint the street shoe.
you can not tint a 2 component waterbase finish without adheasion issues.
you can tint a 1 component waterbase with dye, but it wont give you what you are looking for either.
resand the floor and try a nuetral stain, this will be more of a yellowish color than what you have currently, much less red as well (if you use duraseal or minwax stain) If you use bona stain it will be red

RhodesHardwood · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:27 pm

I agree don't tint it.

TheFLoorGuy · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:11 pm

tinting water based is a bad idea. adding stain weakens the coat durability and considering how thin it is to start with. if you already did your def gonna want ATLEAST 2 coats of reg water on top covering the tinted coat. If you don't want the red color well your gonna be stuck with it to some extent. any light colored stains will just mix with the red of the wood. If you were going to tint it anyways it should of been done at first coat.

illini · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:47 pm **Posts:** 2

Thanks everyone! The floor guy put 2 coats of street shoe down and the floor looks amazing!
The red/pink color disappeared and I am super happy with the floor.

Help with natural red oak floor looking too "red"

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