BLONDING

WITH RESENE MARKETING MANAGER KAREN WARMAN

> Floor type Blonding is a method of lightening solid-wood floorboards by sanding then using a light-coloured stain; it is suitable for most woods. A stain lets the wood grain show through, which is very useful because the grain and variation in the timber help to camouflage marks and dust. > Prep and planning Blonding requires more preparation than painting or whitewashing as you need to remove all the existing coating to get it back to bare timber. You then apply the stain followed by a clear finish. > Timeframe Blonding is a slower process than painting or whitewashing as you need to apply stain and then remove the excess. You need to do this carefully; it is not a job you can rush.

> Cost The cost of materials is similar to painting or whitewashing if you do it yourself, but will cost more if you get in a professional.

> Recommended products Resene Colorwood ‘Rock Salt’ finished with a protective clear coat of Resene Qristal ClearFloor. > Professional vs DIY Blonding a floor is a job you might want to call in a professional for if you’re not comfortable operating a floor sander (you can hire these). The staining itself requires care as you need to apply the stain and then wipe off any excess, ensuring you don’t get ‘lap marks’ where the stain is darker because it has built up. However, as long as you allow time to prep properly, stain and apply the clear coat, you can do it yourself. Most decorators use a waterborne clear finish which is easy to apply. If you opt for a very hard clear finish, using a product such as Resene Polythane, be aware that it will give off stronger solvent odours; in this case, we recommend hiring a professional. If you have a busy family life, pets or limited free time, you also might be best to call in an expert and go away for a few days so you don’t have kids or pets walking through the area while the job is in progress.