I've not used the stains (they are relatively new...only a few years in the NORTH AMERICAN market...the Germans have had them for a longer time). I have used the Loba 2K Supra AT (please be aware there are TWO Supras....the 'AT' = SUPERIOR protection...while the other is 'nice' but nothing compared to the 2K Supra AT).

The 2K Supra AT is OUTSTANDING protection. It has a lovely velvety, grippy finish. I would try very hard to find a stain that was in the Loba line. And if your refinisher USES Loba stains, then s/he is TRAINED in the Loba technique. And that is SUPER RARE to find. Anyone trained by Loba at the Loba HQ in North Carolina is on my list of 'people to know'!

And BTW...custom stains are MIXED all the time. Sometimes you only need 6 options to give you 100+ combinations. We did in Kindergarten. We still do it in the flooring industry.

Thank you so much for your insight! I’m trying to find a color like duraseal fruitwood or weathered gray but loba line is so limited. I wonder if someone at headquarters could help guide them on the right mix?

they dont make those colors. you will need to mix it. it will be easier with their intensive stain line. you can use that with precolors.

How does just the top coat change the color of natural red oak?

So long as you use Loba water borne finishes (not oil modified, no oil enhancer...nothing that turns yellow) it will look like you have wiped the raw wood with a damp cloth. Same colour, just a snick damp.

What is the look you are trying to achieve? Inspirational pictures?

Something like this color is what I am looking for.

Here is another pic

Here is what I have now. It is too orange for me and I want it a little bit lighter.

What type of finish would you like to use: oil or poly?

Water poly

First image: Use Ciranova reactive stain white, 2 coats Ecofix Woodlook PU and 1 or 2 coats of Fortico Matte.

Second image:Any Provincial stain and use any wood look PU: Loba invisible, Bona Natural, Ciranova Ecofix plus etc.

I’ve decided to go with my natural red wood would with just use water poly. Is it ok if they just do 3 coats of water poly, no primer? the primer brought out more pink Than I wanted. I think they said they’d do one coat of easy finish and 2 coats of supra 2k.

OK...you mention 'red wood'...is that Red Oak? If so, it does not need a sealant. The EasyPrime is good at helping bond issues but it isn't needed for tannin pull on red oak like it is on white oak.

Please, please, please make sure they are using the Loba 2K Supra AT....Not the WS 2K Supra. They are TWO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS!

You want the toughest, grippiest floor you can get. That comes with Loba 2K Supra AT. The AT stands for 'Advanced Technology'.

Here's what I would do:

1. First coat Coat Loba WS 2K gloss (cheaper than the tough one....but not a sealant)

2. 1 Coat Loba 2K Supra AT (the tough/expensive one) in a gloss

3. 1 Coat Loba 2K Supra AT in the gloss level you want (satin, semi-gloss, gloss)

If you want three coats (I love the 3 coat system) but you want it to be as close to the original quote as they gave you, you can use the lower-priced WS 2K Supra as the base coat. Then you add the two coats of the BIG BOY = super tough without being super-duper expensive.

First things first: Get it in WRITING that you are are getting 2 COATS of Loba 2K Supra AT. And Email or Text is fine.

Thanks for your work on the legal side of things dmac ! I think it will help a lot of people. I'm in Canada so our system is a little different (but based on some of the same ideas) from the USA, UK, Australia, etc.

I look forward to seeing your efforts. I LOVE to learn this stuff. Keep at it man, the community here needs it!

Stephanie

Stephanie - I’m happy to help! You and others have freely provided so much information/guidance/advice on here - legal tidbits here and there is all I have to offer. Hopefully, they will benefit someone.

I am getting ready to refinish my floors VERY SOON - I’ve been researching a ton - have learned quite a bit. My daughter told me on Easter that I appear to be OBSESSED with wood. I have kind of been a bit focused on my wood floors. I think maybe I should slow down on the number of photos I’ve been sending her . . .

Canada, huh? It all makes sense now. . . . ;)

Donna

Yay! Another 'girl' pro! Sigh...it sometimes gets lonely out here in this masculine sandbox (as a lawyer, I don't have to tell you anything about THAT... =;-9). I guess as a Canadian (woman), I've been raise to 'Be Good and Help Out' (thanks mum!). I believe a little civility goes a LONG way!

I LOVE wood. Cork, obviously is my 'happy' place but it is the wood of the cork tree that I love. The European Oak also turns the same colours as faded cork (although not so dramatically). I have enjoyed learning about the flooring industry that I share what I can with whomsoever is listening.

See you out there!

Tracy, how did your floors turn out? Did you use Loba stain?