Just got our Maple unfinished flooring and am trying to figure out howto finish it. Want low sheen, like an oiled/satin look, but want to keep the very light/blonde tones of the Maple. Tung oil sample we tried looks very "gold/yellow". Do different brands of tung oils have less "golding'? Are there differnt types of oil that may not change the colour as much? Can you add a stain to counteract the golding and keep the wood light? Any recommends for oil products that will finish and protect a floor in our two kid active kitchen? I am also interested on recommends for poly (water based?) finishes or some thoughts on oil then poly two product finishing.

Well, the dofferent oils used in the manufacturing of oil-based urethanes will all add a colouration to some degree to the look of the maple. To stay as close as possible to the natural white look of the raw maple, you will need to use a water-based urethane.

I agree the finish that will keep the maple the closest to natural is definitely water based. I would suggest Bona Traffic.

Tung oil will make your maple floors look like the basketball courts at your local school. Golden, amber look to it. Nobody wants that at a home. As will most finishes that are not water based. Use a top quality, modern water based product, and it will be the closest match to the look you like so much now of the unfinished maple.