This instruction manual provides you with advice about how to maintain your Dinesen floor after installation. To get the best result and a floor that can last for centuries it is important to follow the right finishing and maintenance procedures.
Dinesen planks are always delivered unfinished, and after installation, the floor must be sanded and finished. This gives you the opportunity to choose the finish that matches your expectations of the floor. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the various finishes carefully.
If you need any additional advice about Dinesen floors, you are very welcome to contact us. To order and purchase products in the maintenance series, please go to our webshop.
Yes. Correct sanding of the floor after it is installed and before it is finished is necessary to eliminate tiny variations in level between the planks and ensure a uniform surface.
No. However, if sanding and finishing are done later, we recommend that you cover the floor with diffusion-open grey flooring cardboard (400 g/m2). Please note that partial covering of the unfinished floor may lead to colour variations due to the effect of sunlight on the wood.
In principle, yes. However, we strongly recommend that you have a certified and experienced floor specialist do the job. Correct sanding and finishing are very important for the appearance of the floor and ensure a uniform surface that is easy to maintain after installation.
The best choice of finish depends on the wood type and, not least, on the use of the floor and cleaning and maintenance practices. See paragraph 1, or contact our technical department for a more thorough review and assessment of your specific project.
Dinesen Floor Soap White and Dinesen Floor Soap Natural ensure a resistant surface. This soap is developed especially for Dinesen planks and forms a protective soap membrane. It is easy to adjust the colour of the floor by switching between the two variants.
To prevent damage, follow the recommendations for care, maintenance and cleaning. Keep an eye on the floor, and deal with any problems in a timely fashion. In that way, you can ensure a beautiful floor through normal care and maintenance and prevent problems that would require more thorough repairs.
Yes. However, that will require renewed sanding and finishing. It is therefore always an advantage to choose the right finish from the outset.
Dinesen planks are always delivered unfinished, and after installation, the floor must be sanded and finished. This gives you the opportunity to choose the finish that matches your expectations of the floor. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the various finishes carefully.
The finish protects the planks from grease, dirt and depletion and also forms a wearing layer that minimizes direct wear on the plank. Both sanding and finishing must be carried out with great care to achieve a good result. Therefore, we recommend that the work be carried out by a certified and experienced floor specialist. Only use Dinesen products or products approved by Dinesen for surface finishing and maintenance as alternative products can cause consequential damages.
1.1 Dinesen Lye and Floor Soap - Douglas
Advantages
Lye finishing is a traditional Scandinavian finish for coniferous wood, which stops the natural patination process and preserves a light colour tone. After the lye finish, the floor must be finished with Dinesen Floor Soap. The soap forms a protective soap membrane, which is further improved with the subsequent maintenance and cleaning of the floor. Every time the floor is washed with Dinesen Floor Soap, the soap membrane is renewed, which provides ongoing maintenance of the floor. It is easy to clean the floor using the Dinesen floor kit. This will remove most stains except ammonia and iron, which typically require sanding and a refinish of the floor. Any dents will rise when the floor is washed. The colour tone is easily adjusted by varying between white and natural coloured Dinesen Floor Soap. A carefully maintained Douglas floor will look beautiful for many years.
Disadvantages
The floor must be washed regularly to maintain the protective soap membrane and to stay beautiful. Typically, floors in kitchens and rooms with heavy use need to be washed approximately once a week, while floors in other rooms need washing approximately once every 2 weeks. Dinesen Floor Soap White may stain socks etc. slightly, but the colour goes away when the item is washed. Take care, however, not to splash furniture, door jambs etc. with the white soap. Any splashes are easily removed with a clean, damp cloth shortly after the floor has been washed.
General points
A very good choice for most private homes. It is important to use Dinesen Lye, as other types of lye may discolour Douglas planks. Similarly, Dinesen Floor Soap is developed especially for Dinesen planks and offers superior protection compared to other floor soaps. See our instruction videos at dinesen.com for a detailed demonstration of how a soap-finished Dinesen floor is washed correctly.
Finishing Dinesen Oak planks with Dinesen Lye and Dinesen Floor Soap is not generally recommended.
1.2 Dinesen Lye and Oil - Douglas
Advantages
An Oil finish seals the surface from the beginning. Therefore, it is not necessary to wash an oil-finished floor as often as a soap-finished floor. The floor is easy to clean with Dinesen Floor Soap for wooden floors with an oil or lacquer finish.
Disadvantages
The floor must be refinished with oil regularly to re-establish the oil layer and reseal the surface. The frequency depends on the degree of use. If the oil coat is not worn through, it is not necessary to use lye before refinishing the floor. You may refinish smaller areas with oil, but the most uniform result is achieved by treating the entire surface. If the oil coat is worn through, you will have to sand the floor and start over with Dinesen Lye and Dinesen Oil. Compared to the soap finish, it is harder to remove dents by washing the floor, as the sealed surface prevents the water from penetrating and making the dent rise. An oil-finished floor will also initially have a more reddish tone than a soap-finished floor, but this fades over time.
General points
A strong finish. Very suitable for busy families and commercial use. Always
recommended for homes that are only in use part of the year. Dinesen Oil is easy to work with.
1.3 Dinesen Oil - Douglas, Oak
Advantages
Dinesen Oil gives the floor a beautiful, warm and rich appearance. The oil leaves a strong surface that is easy to clean with Dinesen Floor Soap for wooden floors with an oil or lacquer finish.
Disadvantages
The floor must be refinished regularly to re-establish the oil layer and reseal the surface. If the oil coat is not worn through, it is not necessary to sand the floor before it is refinished. You may refinish smaller areas with oil, but the most uniform result is achieved by treating the entire surface.
General points
A strong finish. Oil finishing lets you choose between several colours. Please note that you will have to sand the floor and refinish it anew if you wish to change the colour. We offer white, light and natural coloured oils as a standard.
Especially for Douglas: We recommend finishing Dinesen Douglas floors with lye as a finish with only White Oil, Light Oil or Natural Oil will result in a slightly reddish look. Dark coloured oils can be applied without a prior lye finish.
Especially for Oak: A White Oil finish gives a very light surface, while Light Oil gives a look that is very close to unfinished oak. Natural Oil creates a warm expression and highlights the natural characteristics of the wood.
1.4 Lacquer - Douglas, Oak
Advantages
A lacquer finish seals the surface completely. It produces a surface that does not require maintenance but simply requires cleaning as needed. The floor is easy to clean with Dinesen Floor Soap for wooden floors with an oil or lacquer finish.
Disadvantages
Dents do not rise when the floor is washed. Douglas planks are generally more susceptible to dents than Oak. If the lacquer is scratched, dirt may penetrate into the plank and cause damage. It is therefore necessary to repeat the lacquer finish as needed. The lacquer finish must be renewed before the lacquer coat is worn through. Otherwise, you will have to sand the entire floor and refinish with lacquer. Spot repairs of a lacquered surface is unlikely to produce a good result.
General points
Very suitable for commercial purposes where time or other constraints do not allow for frequent washing. Lacquer is most suitable for Dinesen Oak planks. Depending on the use of the floor, a lacquer finish may in some cases be the right choice for a Douglas floor, but usually Lye and Floor Soap or Oil will be a much better finish for conifer floors. You are welcome to call us for additional advice.
It is important to use a lacquer that is recommended by Dinesen to avoid lacquer binding, which risks ruining the planks. Lacquer without pigmentation gives the planks a reddish appearance. The same occurs if the planks are not finished with oil before the lacquer finish.
Faulty lacquering can ruin the floor. Please note that water-based lacquer can
cause lacquer binding, which prevents the natural movements of the planks and
thus damages the planks. It is important to oil the floor before applying lacquer
(1-component), as the oil reduces the risk of lacquer binding.
1.5 Compatibility tables
An overview of the various finishing options and the choice of cleaning and maintenance products.
1.5.1 Choice of surface finish
Douglas | Oak | |
Lye and Floor Soap | Compatible | Incompatible |
Lye and Oil | Compatible | Incompatible |
White Oil | Compatible (slightly reddish look) | Compatible |
Light Oil | Compatible (slightly reddish look) | Compatible |
Natural Oil | Compatible (slightly reddish look) | Compatible |
Lacquer | Compatible (slightly reddish look) | Compatible |
Table 1
1.5.2 Choice of cleaning products
Dinesen Floor Soap White/Natural |
Dinesen Floor Soap for wooden floors with an oil or lacquer finish |
|
Lye and Floor Soap | Useable | |
Lye and Oil | Useable | |
White Oil | Useable | |
Light Oil | Useable | |
Natural Oil | Useable | |
Lacquer | Useable |
Table 2
1.5.3 Choice of maintenance products
Dinesen Floor Soap White/Natural |
Dinesen Oil White/light/Natural |
Junckers ProFinish floor lacquer, ultra matt |
|
Lye and Floor Soap | Useable | ||
Lye and Oil | Useable | ||
White Oil | Useable | ||
Light Oil | Useable | ||
Natural Oil | Useable | ||
Lacquer | Useable |
Table 3
1.6 Terrace planks
Dinesen Douglas terrace planks do not need to be finished as they are made for outdoor use. Unfinished terrace planks typically take on a greyish appearance as a result of weathering.
Alternatively, terrace planks can be finished with oil for outdoor use. Dinesen does not carry this type of oil. We therefore suggest that you contact a good paint store or a DIY centre for advice.
2.1 Building
2.2 Floor
2.3 Equipment and tools
Well-maintained quality tools are a condition for a good result. Below, is an overview of the equipment and tools that may be needed in connection with sanding, finishing and maintenance.
2.3.1 Sanding
Figure 1: Belt sander. Rough sanding – planing the planks
Figure 2: Disc sander. Fine sanding
Figure 3: Trio/Quattro sander. Fine sanding
Figure 4: Edge sander. Rough sanding – planing the planks
Figure 5: Delta sander. Fine sanding
Figure 6: Random orbit sander. Fine sanding
We recommend sanders with a built-in vacuum with a fabric bag.
2.3.2 Finishing and maintenance
Figure 7: Mop for floor washing
Figure 8: Polish roundels for light polishing
Figure 9: Lye mop for applying lye
Figure 10: Mohair roller for applying oil
Figure 11: Cotton cloths for polishing/mopping up oil
Figure 12: Vacuum cleaner for cleaning the floor
2.4 Maintenance
It is very important to consider that the floor needs maintenance to stay beautiful. Floor washing must be done as needed and depending on the use and location of the room. Entrance halls and kitchen floors normally see the heaviest use in the home and therefore require more cleaning than the other rooms of the house.
2.4.1 Guideline for maintenance intervals
Soap-finished floors are normally maintained in the course of normal floor washing. For oil-finished floors, we recommend that you re-apply oil as needed. Floor lacquer is not an indestructible surface, and depending on use, a lacquered floor will therefore have to be refinished at intervals. Keep an eye on the floor to make sure that the lacquer and oil coat is not worn through. Normally, repairs are not possible, and it will therefore be necessary to sand the floor down to the bare wood and refinish it if the top coat is penetrated.
The table below suggests guideline maintenance intervals depending on the degree of use.
• Medium use: bedrooms, living rooms etc.
• Heavier use: shops, showrooms, kitchen/family room, offices, hotels etc.
Medium use | Heavier use | |
Soap | Wash once every 2 weeks | Wash about once a week |
Oil | Maintenance once a year | Maintenance every 6 months |
Lacquer | Maintenance every 2 years | Maintenance once a year |
Table 4
We recommend that you keep an eye on the floor continually to make sure that it receives the proper care and maintenance for the actual pattern of use, wear and climate. A soap finished floor requires quite a lot of attention in the beginning but this will diminish gradually with time.
2.4.2 Consequences of inadequate maintenance
Wood is a living material, and a lack of proper maintenance will have certain natural consequences. Among the possible consequences are:
Dinesen is happy to offer advice about poorly maintained floors but does not cover any costs associated with this issue.
2.4.3 Dents and scratches
Over time and with use, dents and scratches on a floor are inevitable. But with a few simple precautions, you can reduce the extent considerably. Wooden floors should be protected from dirty footwear. Therefore, there should always a good, large doormat at all entrances. A rug under the dining table may be a sensible solution. Always use felt pads under furniture legs and place a mat underneath your office chair.
Also be careful with sharp objects, pointy stiletto heels and other objects that might scratch and damage the floor. It is also important to vacuum the floor to remove dirt, sand and other potentially harmful particles as soon as possible.
On a Douglas floor, most dents will disappear the next time the floor is washed.
The easiest way to remove larger dents and marks is to quickly pour a little hot water into the holes. The pores of the wood absorb the water and rise again. You may have to repeat the treatment over a few days. This method is both simple and effective. If the wood fibres are broken, however, this treatment is not sufficient, and actual repairs will be required.
Figure 13: Protect the floor
Figure 14: Doormat
Always use felt pads under furniture legs and place a mat underneath your office
chair.
When the floor is installed, about 1 mm difference in level between the individual planks is within acceptable limits. In the first sanding, you should therefore expect to take 0.5-1 mm off the planks. Subsequent sanding will typically remove slightly less wood, depending on the scratches, marks etc. that need to be removed. A solid plank has enough material to be sanded many times.
Careful sanding is necessary for a good result. We therefore recommend that the work be carried out by a certified and experienced floor specialist.
If the floor has been screwed and plugged from above, first use a small belt sander to make the plugs level with the planks. Alternatively, use an edge sander.
Always sand in the direction of the grain. Along edges, in corners, by pipes etc, use an edge sander, for example in combination with a delta sander and a random orbit sander.
The maximum difference in grit sizes between the stages is 20. Make sure that any
scratches from the previous sanding process are removed completely.
Procedure
Figure 15: Belt sander
Figure 16: Disc sander
Figure 17: Trio/Quattro sander
Figure 18: Edge sander
Figure 19: Delta sander
Figure 20: Random orbit sander
Figure 21: Vacuum
After the sanding, the surface must appear smooth and even without any difference in level between the planks. There should be no visible transitions between the sanding of the floor surface and the sanding of edges or corners, and there should be no visible scratches from the sanders.
Cover the floor with thick grey flooring cardboard (500 g/m2) or other diffusion-open material if it is not sanded and finished immediately after the installation.
If construction activity calls for additional protection, cover the floor with Masonite boards, for example, and make sure to tape all the joints.
Please note that the floor surface must be uniformly and fully covered. Otherwise, the effects of light and sun may cause colour differences. We advise against any use of adhesive tape directly on finished or unfinished floors.
Sanding is dusty and noisy. Always use mandatory breathing masks and hearing protection.
Video:
See how a newly installed Dinesen Douglas plank floor is sanded.
See how a newly installed Dinesen Oak plank floor is sanded.
4.1 Dinesen Lye and Floor Soap - Douglas
The finish consists of lye, which gives the wood a light colour and stops the natural patination process, and soap, which forms a protective soap membrane on the surface of the wood that serves as a wearing layer. Dinesen Lye is especially suitable for Dinesen Douglas floors because the mild lye gives the floor a delicate, light appearance.
Guideline drying times | |
Lye | 6 hours |
First soap application | 20 minutes |
Second soap application | 2-4 hours |
Total | 8-11 hours |
Table 5
4.1.1 Lye finish
Figure 22: Dinesen Lye Spreading rate: approximately 8 m²/litre
Figure 23: Shake the container
Figure 24: Pour
Figure 25: Stir frequently
Figure 26: Apply
Figure 27: Sand lightly
After the lye finish, the floor is very delicate because the lye opens the surface of the wood. It should therefore be finished with Dinesen Floor Soap as soon as it is dry.
4.1.2 Soap finish
Wash the floor twice with Dinesen Floor Soap Natural or Dinesen Floor Soap White. For a very light surface, use the white soap. Instead of a floor cloth or a mop you may use a clean lye mop.
Figure 28: Dinesen Floor Soap Spreading rate: approximately 16 m²/litre
Figure 29: Shake the container
Figure 30: Pour
Figure 31: Wash
Video: See how soap is applied to a lye-finished Dinesen Douglas plank floor.
4.2 Dinesen Lye and Oil - Douglas
The finish consists of lye, which gives the wood a light colour and stops the natural patination process, and oil, which seals the surface and adds a protective wearing layer to the wood. Dinesen lye is especially suitable for Dinesen Douglas floors because the mild lye gives the floor a delicate, light appearance. Finishing Oak with lye is not recommended.
Guideline drying times | |
Lye | 6 hours |
Oil wet-on-wet | 24-36 hours |
Final oil finish | 24-36 hours |
Total | 78 hours (3 days) |
Table 6
4.2.1 Lye finish
Figure 33: Dinesen Lye. Spreading rate: approximately 8 m²/litre
Figure 43: Shake the container
Figure 44: Pour
Figure 45: Stir frequently
Figure 46: Apply
Figure 47: Sand lightly
After the lye finish, the floor is very delicate because the lye opens the surface of the wood. It should therefore be finished with Dinesen Oil as soon as it is dry.
4.2.2 Applying oil
Figure 39: Dinesen Oil
Spreading rate: approximately 5-10 m²/litre
in the basic finish and approximately
20-30 m²/litre in the final oil finish
Final oil finish after the basic finish
Figure 40: Stir
Figure 41: Mohair roller
Figure 42: Polish
Figure 43: Polish lightly (green polish roundel)
Figure 44: Vacuum
Figure 45: Apply another coat of oil
Figure 46: Polish
4.3 Dinesen Oil - Douglas, Oak
A Dinesen Oil finish produces a strong surface. The floor must be dampened before the oil finish to enable sufficient oil saturation and thus optimum protection and distribution of pigments.
Guideline drying times | |
Oil wet-on-wet | 24-36 hours |
Final oil finish | 24-36 hours |
Total | 72 hours (3 days) |
Table 7
4.3.1 Applying oil
Figure 47: Dinesen Oil
Spreading rate: approximately 5-10 m²/litre in
the basic finish and approximately
20-30 m²/litre in the final oil finish
Basic finish
Final oil finish after the basic finish
Figure 48: Mop
Figure 49: Stir
Figure 50: Mohair roller
Figure 51: Polish
Figure 52: Polish lightly (green polish roundel)
Figure 53: Vacuum
Figure 54: Apply another coat of oil
Figure 55: Polish
Video:
See how oil is applied to a newly installed or newly sanded Dinesen Oak plank floor.
See how oil is applied to a newly installed or newly sanded Dinesen Douglas plank floor.
4.4 Lacquer - Douglas, Oak
The finish consists of both oil and lacquer. To minimize the risk of lacquer binding, which may ruin the planks, we recommend that you use the following lacquer system:
Dinesen Oil and Junckers ProFinish floor lacquer, ultra matt
Lacquer seals the surface completely and is most suitable for Dinesen Oak planks. The lacquer system can also be used for Douglas, but note that dents will not rise after floor washing, and that Douglas floors are generally more susceptible to dents than oak.
Only use 1-component lacquer!
Guideline drying times | |
Oil finish | 72 hours |
Lacquer finish | 24 hours |
Total | 100 hours (4 days) |
Table 8
Douglas is finished with Dinesen Lye and Oil, cf. the procedure described in section 4.2.
Oak is finished with Dinesen Oil, cf. the procedure described in section 4.3.
4.4.1 Lacquer finish
It is important to ensure that both the wood and the lacquer have a temperature of at least 10 °C. We recommend a temperature of 20 °C.
Figure 56: Junckers ProFinish floor lacquer, ultra matt Spreading rate: approximately 10 m²/litre
Procedure
Figure 57: Apply lacquer with short-haired mohair roller
Figure 58: Interim sanding
Figure 59: Apply another coat of lacquer using a short-haired mohair roller
The floor can be used cautiously 8 hours after the final coat of lacquer has been applied.
Ensure good ventilation in the room to provide the right conditions for the drying and setting times.
A Dinesen floor requires maintenance to stay beautiful. See section 2.4.1 for guidelines on maintenance intervals depending on the use and thus the amount of wear the floor is subjected to as well as the finish.
It is important to make sure that the oil and lacquer finishes are not worn through. In addition, the following recommendations concerning cleaning and maintenance apply for the three forms of finishing.
5.1 Cleaning and maintaining a soap-finished Dinesen floor
Dinesen Floor Soap protects the wood against dirt and, to some extent, against spills. As long as the soap membrane is intact, the floor will remain beautiful and resistant to wear. If the membrane is breached, the wear will affect the wood directly, and dirt will be able to penetrate into the pores of the wood. Over time,
the wood will come to look dry and depleted. It is therefore important to preserve
the soap membrane and to renew it continually.
To establish a more resistant surface, we recommend that you wash the floor with Dinesen Floor Soap a few times before use.
Protect the floor against dents and scratches, cf. the description in section 2.4.3.
Vacuum the floor as needed to remove sand and other dirt particles quickly. Also always vacuum the floor before washing it. Use the soft setting on the vacuum cleaner head intended for hard floors.
5.1.1 Cleaning and maintenance
Wash the floor as needed depending on the use of the room. The floor must be cleaned and the soap membrane must also be renewed. This means that the floor will need washing even if it is not dirty.
An otherwise clean floor may well have lost its soap membrane, which exposes the wood to wear and depletion. This is prevented if the soap membrane is intact.
When washing the floor it is a good idea to take the opportunity to check the state of the floor. If there are any worn or depleted areas, you may have to adjust the maintenance schedule.
Soap-finished floors can be washed with plenty of soapy water, which is subsequently mopped up.
Figure 60: Dinesen Floor Soap
*Spreading rate: approximately 70 m²/litre
Procedure
Figure 61: Shake the container
Figure 62: Pour
Figure 63: Wash
If the floor is very dirty, it should be washed with a white scrubbing sponge. Dip the sponge in the soapy water, and wash in the direction of the grain. Go back and forth a few times to make sure that the planks are clean. Wash 3-5 m² at a time, then mop up any excess water with a firmly wrung floor cloth or mop. After extra thorough floor washing, the soap membrane should be renewed as described above.
Be careful around the legs of tables and chairs to avoid discolouration from the soap over time. Rugs under furniture are folded up before floor washing and unfolded again when the floor is dry. With care, you may also wash up to the edge of the rug.
The colour of the floor may change considerably depending on whether you use Dinesen Floor Soap White or Dinesen Floor Soap Natural. Both variants provide the same quality protection and make the floor easy to clean.
A well-maintained floor is fairly resistant to spills. Grease, red wine, juice or sauce, for example, should simply be removed immediately with a paper towel or a cloth. For more difficult stains, use the white sponge. You may soak the stain in soapy water for half an hour and then repeat the treatment with the white scrubbing sponge. Do not push harder than necessary, and subsequently wipe the area with the floor cloth.
Video: See the best way to wash a soap finished Dinesen Douglas plank floor.
5.2 Cleaning and maintaining an oil-finished Dinesen floor
Dinesen Oil protects the wood from dirt and spills. As long as the oil membrane is intact the floor remains beautiful and resistant to wear. If the membrane is breached, the wear will affect the wood directly. Dirt and spills will be able to penetrate the pores of the wood, and over time, the wood will come to look dry and depleted. It is therefore very important to preserve the oil membrane.
5.2.1 Cleaning
Figure 64: Dinesen Floor Soap
Spreading rate: approximately 250 m²/litre
Procedure
Figure 65: Shake the container
Figure 66: Pour
Figure 67: Wash
Video: See the best way to wash an oil finished Dinesen Oak plank floor
5.2.2 Maintenance
As needed, the floor should be treated with Dinesen Oil (the same oil that is used for the basic finish) to re-establish the oil finish and reseal the surface. You may choose to treat particularly worn areas only.
Note that the oil surface should not be allowed to be worn away completely. If this has occurred, you should contact Dinesen for further advice.
Figure 68: Dinesen Oil
Spreading rate: approximately 20-30 m²/litre
Procedure
You may use the floor cautiously after 24 hours, but we recommend that you wait
72 hours.
When treating large areas, divide the floor into sections of 10-25 m² each. Make sure that the overlapping edges between the treated areas do not dry before the treatment is continued.
Figure 69: Polish lightly (green polish roundel)
Figure 70: Vacuum Figure
71: Apply oil
Figure 72: Polish
5.3 Cleaning and maintaining a lacquered Dinesen floor
The lacquer finish seals the surface completely and makes the floor easy to clean. However, if the floor is very worn, it is necessary to re-lacquer it. Scratches in the lacquer allow dirt to penetrate into the plank and do harm to the wood. It is therefore necessary to re-lacquer the floor before the lacquer is worn through.
Vacuum the floor as needed to remove sand and other dirt particles quickly and prevent them from scratching the floor. Always vacuum the floor before washing it. Use the soft setting on the vacuum cleaner head intended for hard floors
5.3.1 Cleaning
Wash the floor as needed depending on the use of the rooms. When washing the floor it is a good idea to take the opportunity to check the state of the floor. If there are any worn or depleted areas, you may have to adjust the maintenance schedule.
Figure 73: Dinesen Floor Soap Spreading rate: approximately 250 m²/litre
5.3.2 Re-lacquering
Figure 74: Junckers ProFinish floor lacquer, ultra matt
Spreading rate: approximately 10 m²/litre
Procedure
Figure 75: Vacuum
76: Wash Figure
77: Sand the floor
5.4 Using a floor-washing machine
Floor-washing machines can be used on finished Dinesen floors. Floor-washing machines are best suited for oil-finished and lacquered floors. A soap-finished floor requires special precautions.
The floor-washing machine should be able to wash and dry (absorption) and have a rotating washing head (disc), for example a type 451 or 755 from Nilfisk Advance or a Genie from FIMAP. Attach a soft brush for wooden floors on the washing head and use a soapy mix of 0.5 litre of Dinesen Floor Soap to 5 litres of lukewarm water 1:10. Wash the floor in the direction of the grain.
We recommend washing soap-finished floors manually. If a floor-washing machine is used, always combine the cleaning with damp-mopping to ensure sufficient cleaning and re-establishing of the soap membrane.
The clean floor is damp-mopped as needed (for example after every 3rd floor-washing) with a mop or a cloth wrung in a soapy mix consisting of 0.5-1 litre of Dinesen Floor Soap to 5 litres of lukewarm water 1:10/1:5.
Damp-mop in the direction of the grain. After damp-mopping, the floor surface should be left damp but not wet. If the soap membrane is not re-established, the floor will be depleted and the wear will increase.
Video:
See how to use a floor washing machine on a Dinesen Oak plank floor.
See how to use a floor washing machine on a Dinesen Douglas plank floor.
The first condition for a successful surface finishing is good sanding. Errors and shortcomings in sanding are carried on to the following finishes and will also affect the end-result.
We strongly recommend that you first carry out the finishing on a trial surface or at least on some cut-off wood. As mentioned above, sanding has a major influence on the resulting colour tone, and it is important to check the colour etc. before finishing the entire floor.
6.1 Lye finish
Lye
Using the wrong lye may discolour the floor. Depending on the lye type and its aggressiveness, the end-result may be a greenish or reddish appearance.
6.2 Oil finish
Pre-dampening
It is very important to pre-dampen oak planks before applying an oil finish to ensure that the wood is evenly damp before the finishing process. If the dampening is uneven, or if the floor is not pre-dampened at all, it will not be possible to achieve optimal saturation. Proper pre-dampening is especially important when using a colour oil to ensure that the pigmentation is distributed evenly. Otherwise, there is a risk that the colour will not turn out as expected or that there will be considerable variation across the floor surface.
Insufficient amount of oil on oak
If oak planks are not sufficiently saturated with oil there is a risk of tannin spots, which appear as dark blemishes or stains on the floor.
If the wood is not sufficiently saturated with oil, there may be white or light areas on the surface. These stains typically appear as a result of small water spills.
Uneven oil coat
Appears as pools of oil and typically occurs when excess oil has not been removed in connection with the finishing process.
Lacquer
When applying a lacquer finish, it is especially important to ensure that the floor is sufficiently saturated with oil, as there is otherwise a risk of lacquer bind. In oak, there is also a risk of tannin stains.
6.3 Miscellaneous
Adhesive tape
We advice against any use of adhesive tape directly on finished or unfinished floors.
Metal buckets
Finishing products in metal buckets/tins need to be stirred. Shaking is not enough.