As part of a home improvement project we had a wood floor installed. The floor was stained with a semi-solid mahogany, The initial application resulted in what in the attached photo. It is clear (I think) that no one wiped up excess, leaving extra stain at the end of brush strokes.

We communicated to the contractor, who said he would look at it, but who decided to just apply a second coat before any discussion. So now we have a heavy painted 2nd coat, one that mostly camouflages the blotching, but also reveals little of the wood grain.

In speaking with the contractor and the painter (it was his painter or that painter's team who applied the stain), they said that the thicker "painted" look was better and would look better if there were a scratch.

Has anyone heard this? That a painted look is better (I assume for the darker stains is what he meant) and it is better with stains?

They say they think the result looks great. It is hardly the worst thing in the world, but the grain is barely visible and I can still see the blotching pattern, though it is far less obvious.

Thanks