Lighten Up Your Red Oak with White Stain

Red oak hardwood floors are a popular choice for many homes due to their rich color and distinctive grain patterns. However, some homeowners find the warm reddish-brown hues of natural red oak to be too dark or formal for their taste. If you love the look of red oak but want a lighter, brighter floor, whitewashing or staining your red oak floors white can transform the space.

We'll cover everything you need to know to achieve beautiful whitewashed red oak floors, from preparing the wood to applying the white stain and protective finishes.

Prepare the Red Oak Floor for Staining

Properly preparing your red oak flooring is crucial for the white stain to adhere evenly and achieve the desired whitewashed effect. Here are the key steps:

• Sand the oak flooring down to bare wood. Any existing finish or stain needs to be completely removed.
• Vacuum thoroughly, then tack cloth the floor to remove all dust.
• Choose your Bona White Stain color. Bona offers Bright White and Cool White to suit different design tastes.

It's also a good idea to test Bona White Stain on red oak samples before committing to the full floor. This allows you to experiment and see how the white interacts with the wood's natural red undertones.

Alternative Products to Lighten Red Oak

While Bona White Stain is a popular choice, some people prefer to use other products to lighten their red oak floors due to limited color options from Bona. During our staining tests on red oak, we found that Varathane water-based white stain also worked well to lighten the wood.

Adding a green tint to white stains can help offset the pink or yellow undertones in red oak. The green hue mixed nicely with the white pigments to give the floors a crisp, bright white appearance once stained and sealed.

We also tried some white wash techniques on the red oak using a 50/50 mixture of white paint and water . This gave more of a distressed, layered look compared to the more solid white coverage from stains. Test different dilutions to control the opacity.

Applying Bona White Stain to Red Oak

Once your red oak floors are prepped, you're ready to apply the transformative white stain. Follow these tips for best results:

• Stir Bona White Stain thoroughly before and during application. Boxing or mixing multiple cans together can help ensure color consistency.
• Use a Bona Floor Stain Applicator or quality brush. Apply in direction of the wood grain.
• Allow 2-3 hours drying time between stain coats. Lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper before the final coat.
• 3-5 coats of stain are typically needed for full whitewashed coverage. More coats may be needed for especially porous red oak.

Going slowly and methodically leads to the most even stain application. Avoid lap marks by maintaining a wet edge and working insections 3-4 boards wide. If lap marks do occur, light sanding and reapplying stain often fixes them.

Achieving an Even Whitewashed Look

Because of natural color variations in red oak, it can be tricky achieving an evenly whitewashed floor. Using a Bona Pre-Stain Conditioner first helps prevent blotchiness by controlling absorption before the white stain is applied.

If your floors have existing stain or finish, using Bona's Prep System ensures proper penetration for the new white stain. Thorough sanding and chemical stripping may be required to remove old finish layers prior to whitewashing.

Sealing and Protecting White Stained Floors

Once your red oak floors are stained white, it's crucial to seal and protect them. We recommend:

• Apply 2 coats of Bona Waterborne Sealer for a moisture resistant base.
• Follow with 2 coats of Bona Waterborne Finish . Lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper between coats.
• Consider adding a third coat of waterborne finish in high traffic areas for added durability.

Bona sealers and finishes allow the whitewashed color to come through beautifully while protecting your stained red oak floors for years to come. Keep floors looking their best with regular cleaning using Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner .

Alternative Sealers to Consider

While Bona Waterborne Sealer and Finish are ideal for protecting white stained floors, other compatible sealers include:

• Duraseal Sealcoat - Provides a warm, soft sheen
• Bona Naturale - Has oil-modified polyurethane benefits
• Bona Traffic HD - Extra durability for busy homes

Be sure all sealer and finish products are formulated for use over water-based wood stains . This ensures full cure and proper bonding with the white stained red oak underneath.

Caring for White Stained Red Oak Floors

With the proper care and maintenance, a white stained red oak floor can look beautiful for years. Here are some tips:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent gritty dirt from scratching.
• Use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and microfiber mops for routine cleaning.
• Reapply white stain after 3-5 years to refresh the whitewashed color.
• Spot treat pet urine stains carefully with Bona Deep Clean Solution .

For small scratches, use a Bona Scratch Away Kit . Deep gouges may require professional repairs and touch up staining. Protect high traffic areas with rugs.

Avoiding Major Damage

While white stained red oak is durable, some care is required to avoid permanent damage:

• Wipe spills quickly to prevent deep staining.
• Use felt pads under furniture legs.
• Keep pet nails trimmed to prevent scratches.
• Rearrange area rugs periodically to minimize uneven wear.

If extensive refinishing is ever needed, a professional can sand the floors down and reapply white stain for a fresh, uniform look.

FAQs About Whitewashing Red Oak Floors

How long does white stain last on red oak?

With proper prep and sealing, white stain can last 3-5 years on red oak floors before needing a refresh coat. High traffic areas may show wear sooner.

Does white stain hide the grain on red oak floors?

White stain mutes the grain pattern slightly but doesn't completely hide it like paint would. You can still see the beauty of the wood peeking through.

Can you apply white stain over existing stain or polyurethane?

For best results, existing finishes need to be completely removed by sanding prior to applying white stain. The new stain needs to fully penetrate into raw wood.

With a little time and care, you can transform the look of your red oak hardwood floors using Bona White Stain and compatible sealers. After preparing the floor properly, apply multiple coats of white stain in the direction of the grain. We recommend Bona waterborne finishes to protect the freshly whitewashed oak.

Maintain the bright, lightened floors by sweeping regularly, cleaning with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, and reapplying white stain every few years. Take steps to prevent scratching or moisture damage. Follow these tips, and you'll enjoy the beautiful whitewashed look of your red oak floors for years to come.