Should i paint or oil/tint over bitumen-y floorboards?
mcpeeple
6 years ago
My partner has spent this week sanding our Victorian floorboards, but the black-bitumen round the edges has finally defeated him. Originally the plan was to add either a clear varnish or Osmo oil them. But now we're stuck with the black bits (see pic) im wondering whether to a) add a tint (maybe Osmo polyx oil tint) in the hope that the black bits will blend in, or b) just paint them with a floorboard paint (dark grey or inky blue). I also like the idea of whitewashing them to keep the grain, but am not sure if this would hide the black bits enough? Any advice would be most welcome!
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Angela Gilham
6 years ago
mcpeeple
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Parquet floor disaster? Help
Comments (166)Those are wise words Karen! am so glad it worked out for you. Love to see a photo, what colour or shade did you choose? Jools, The bitumen is a right pig, best way we found is to make it cold, so it becomes brittle, then you can scrape /chip it off. We used a window scraper, coarse wire wool and various sandpaper. We left the window open on a cold night, turned heating off in there, and you could try a cooler fan on it. Putting ice bags on it didn't work as well as we hoped. we used a round sander, but it can cause swirls, it's really awkward ! To be honest a few dips and scratches on an old floor are okay in the end, don't be too afraid of it, they are only pieces of wood stuck down on the floor, not bone china, as long as you try not to break them, or set fire to them, otherwise you can't possibly do more damage than I did, and they recovered!...See MoreI think I hate our newly restored edwardian floorboards..
Comments (38)Georgina, you are most welcome. Yes, I saw that you said in your initial query that you had lacquered them and did not want to sand it all back, hence my suggestion for the least messy option (otherwise yes would be better to sand it all back etc etc like others have said but let's be practical not perfectionists). Yes a tinted lacquer, yes I'm sure you can buy it, I've mixed it myself but best to just buy one but beware not to go too far the other way and take tiny steps. Paint a bit that's going to be under a desk etc and leave it for days to dry and look at it in different light etc. It's not ideal, but I suggest you use the same clear lacqer and add a tiny bit of tinted one because you are painting on a darker colour already so experiment with small amounts of each, keeping track of how much you have put in. (I mix my own wall colours so have just learnt to give it a go in small portions). You also mention wanting a black and white rug, these colours will clash with the wood (colour theory) and make it look even more orange so best to use a colour that tones more. It's hard to tell the exact colour from the photos but go with warmer deeper colours which will then tone down the orange rather than clash with it and make it look cheap and more orange. So if you want to go dark then a rich chocolate brown with some creams, khaki and even a bit of burnt orange for example will make the orange in the floorboards recede....See MoreFloorboard colour choice help please
Comments (12)You don't state if you are planning to keep the existing worktop and tiles. If these are to remain I would consider replacing Welvet with Strong White ( this works really well in a smaller spaces with dark worktops) for the ceilings and woodwork, use the Ammonite on the walls with Oval Room Blue on the cupboards and Worsted on the floor. Or if you prefer a more versatile more neutral approach which allows you to change accent colours without a major rework you could paint the floor using F&B Railings ( or use a similar colour stain to show the wood grain through which would add some interest) and paint the cupboards either Cornforth white or Purbeck stone. I would carry the colour scheme through into the hallway where the coats hang to avoid drawing the eyes to this area....See MoreWhich exterior wall lanterns to pick?
Comments (28)Ah that’s very serendipitous LTS, do post a pic when they’re up! Sarah - I spent a long time looking for something the right size, quality, style and price point. Unfortunately there was nothing that ticked all the boxes in antique brass in my price bracket. That said I’m really pleased with the black lanterns so I can’t complain!...See Moremcpeeple
6 years ago- PRO
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6 years agoI think the only way to blend the areas is going to be go dark. I'd try Fiddes Hard Wax OIl in dark Oak.
This is the floor in one of our homes that i've finished with that product.
That's freshly applied, it does mellow - but it's a nice rich colour.
Jonathan
6 years ago
PROARC Bespoke Interiors
5 years ago
Simon Takel
3 years agomcpeeple
3 years ago
liz gear