Hickory Knot filled with gray filler

When we sanded the floor, we used a technique that we have developed over the years to recolor each knot to a rich burnt umber color.

Let me know which one you like the best.

Hickory knot with correct color

Sealed sub-floor in the great room.

We hand scraped all of the edges and joints on each and every piece of wood (all 4,000 sq ft!). We also textured the face of each board using a circle-sawn or band-sawn look. This floor promised to deliver a rustic feel with the varying six, seven, eight, nine, and ten inch wide pieces of walnut we used.

Organizing our material by width and texture style.

Once the material was scraped, organized and defected, we began the installation process. We used a new type of glue for this job, UZIN MK 92 S. Its mixed with a catalyst and drys at a much faster rate than the regular stuff. Using ratchet straps to make sure each row fit snugly, and weighing each group of rows down while the glue dried was tedious, but resulted in a solid and sturdy installation.

The main hallway being installed.

Great room being installed.

After the installation, we filled in all of the knot-holes with black bondo. Once dried, the bondo is rock solid and keeps the knot looking natural. Again, tedious but the results were great!

Filling in the knots with bondo.

After filling the knots, we began the final stages of coating and glazing. The glaze really brings out the texture that was applied and also fills in the joints and edges of the wood. Before glazing, we gave the floor one initial coat of polyurethane to make sure the wood didn’t soak up too much of the glaze.

Master bedroom after the first coat of finish.

Applying the glaze to the coated floor.

After the glaze, it was just two additional coats of finish, and then we were out of there! The job took a week, and we worked all day (and into the night most days). The floor was gorgeous and truly added value and beauty to Scott’s home. We’re proud of the work we did!

This shows how the glaze really made a difference.

I attended a presentation today by UFloor Systems, Inc which features Pallmann Magic Oil 2k Finish and watched as the presenter spilled a coke on two coats of Magic Oil finish and left it for over an hour. I was amazed when he wiped it up and there was no evidence of moisture, swelling or haze from the coke. This product works so well because it penetrates deep into the wood seals all the pores. It also has uses a catalyzed hardener so that the oil is dry within a few hours as compared to other oil applications. This is a great product for specific applications and you may want to learn more about it before the next time you finish your floors.