Floorboard Sealing and Installation

I removed all the boards (hopefully for the last time) and carefully numbered each one, the numbers were transferred to the floorboard plan to ensure each board goes back to their correct position. 

As indicated earlier the Queensland Hoop Pine floorboards have a beautiful grain so I decided to give them a clear bright finish.

Here is my step-by-step process.

STEP 1:

Sand each board to a smooth finish and thoroughly clean any dust or contamination.

STEP 2:

Using a mohair roller I apply the initial coat of epoxy, thinned with a chemical called TPRDA (Timber preservative and reactive diluent) this enables the epoxy to wick further into the timber.

STEP 3:

Lightly sand and clean any dust or contamination. 

STEP 4:

Apply two coats of undiluted epoxy resin to the tops, bottom, sides all the screw holes and hinge recesses.

STEP 5:

Lightly sand and clean any dust or contamination.

Now it's time to Seal the deal.

I chose a clear gloss finish. The product is called "Aquacote" which is an extremely long lasting, very hard very scratch resistant, high-performance polyurethane water-based topcoat.

Each coat of "Aquacote" was applied

using a foam brush.

After two coats, "looking pretty good"

Floorboards installed after five coats; I followed the manufacturer's directions by wiping down each board with a damp rag prior to applying each coat. The 5th and final coat was thinned with 10% water which resulted in a lovely glossy shine.

Video of installed floorboards.

Floorboards are covered with cardboard never to be seen again for a long, long time.