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Engineering hardwood accessories

Custom Wood Stain

Why Do I Need to Seal My Wooden Floor?

It is important to protect the wooden surface with an oil and/or sealer this could be a varnish/lacquer or a water-based oil. Hard-wax oils can add colour while highlighting the wood’s natural patina, and a stain can refresh or update the look of your flooring in line with current trends.

Sealing Options

Varnish/Lacquer vs. Water-Based Oils0

Both protect the wood the right choice depends on how you want to maintain the floor over time.

Varnish / Lacquer

Low-Maintenance Finish

  • Low-maintenance day to day
  • Requires sanding of the entire surface to repair or refresh
  • Offers little colour flexibility once applied
  • An extra layer of varnish can be added over an oil for commercial durability

Water-Based Oils

Repairable & Colour-Flexible

  • Requires a bit more ongoing care than varnish
  • Easier to repair and maintain — no full sanding usually needed
  • Available in a variety of colours and finishes
  • Can be topped with a sealer to increase wear resistance

Find the Right Advice for You

Our Ranges

Custom Wood Stain Brands

FINfloor personalises engineered hardwood flooring with two specialist wood stain and oil ranges.

Jax Oleum

Oleum Wood Stain

A single-coat wood stain suited to inside and outside use window frames, flooring, doors and furniture. Transform the look and enhance the natural grain of the wood in one application. Personalise your FINOak floor with FINfloor’s Oleum custom-stained finishes tailored to bring your vision to life.

Osmo

Osmo Wood Stain

Osmo’s interior wood stain and hard-wax oil collection offers a wide range of colour options for engineered hardwood flooring, combining natural wood protection with a premium decorative finish for residential and commercial interiors.

The Staining Process

Every type of wood and surface finish (smooth or brushed) accepts stain differently — always test on scrap wood or a less visible area first.

Step 1

Preparation

If the wood has been previously treated or painted, strip it back to the raw wood. Fill cracks and joints with wood filler, then sand in the direction of the grain starting coarse (P80) and working to a finer grade (P120). Clean away all sanding dust before continuing.

Pro Tip: Mix a small amount of the stain/wax into the wood filler for a closer colour match. A wood cleaner also helps achieve the best surface results.

Step 2 · Optional

Staining

Apply a wood sealer or conditioner first to help the stain cure evenly and avoid blotching. Apply the stain, lacquer or varnish in the direction of the grain (or circular motion for water-based oils), and wipe off excess evenly to prevent overlapping light and dark areas.

Pro Tip: Mix a small amount of the stain/wax into the wood filler for a closer colour match. A wood cleaner also helps achieve the best surface results.

Step 3

Protect, Colour & Seal

Stir or shake the product thoroughly before use to bring dyes and pigments up off the bottom of the tin. Respect the drying times on the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before applying additional coats or a sealer.

Pro Tip: Mix a small amount of the stain/wax into the wood filler for a closer colour match. A wood cleaner also helps achieve the best surface results.

Application Methods

Hand vs. Machine Application

FINfloor personalises engineered hardwood flooring with two specialist wood stain and oil ranges.

Hand Application

Best for small areas or touch-ups. Use a hand applicator pad, cloth or rag, dampened with the oil, and apply in a circular motion with pressure so the product penetrates the wood grain. This leaves very little excess and is a one-step process. Leave the product to react for 5–10 minutes, then remove surplus with a clean cloth. A second or third coat may be required per the TDS.

Machine Application

Recommended for large areas or full floor restoration. Use a floor buffing machine with a red buffing pad to apply the wax/oil. Work in small sections, applying for 5–10 minutes at a time, then remove surplus oils with a white buffing pad before moving to the next section.
Download Technical Documents
Oleum Wood Stain — Product & Application

FINfloor product page with full application steps

Osmo Interior Wood Stain Collection

Full colour range on the official Osmo Africa site

FINOak Warranty Exemplar

See what’s covered under the FINOak engineered hardwood warranty

Get Expert Support

Need Help Choosing the Right Profile Finish?

Speak to the FINfloor team for support matching Luxwrap profiles to your laminate range, or for guidance on stairs, thresholds, and transition details.

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