Ciranova Pink Blocker-advice needed please!

3 years ago

Hoping y’all can help me. We recently installed red oak flooring, and now due to a water leak I have the opportunity to choose a different stain color than the previous special walnut. I’m wanting lighter but obviously that is difficult due to the pink hues from the red oak.

I bought ciranova’s pink blocker and tested it out. It definitely took away the pink hue. If I decide to not stain them, does my contractor just then seal with a waterbased poly (I believe he uses street shoe)? Ciranova’s website said to first seal with a waterbased sealant - is that required, and if so, any suggestions for types?

If I decide to stain, would we seal with a waterbased sealant first, then stain, then waterbased poly?

Thank you so much for any advice! My contractor is swamped with jobs here in TX due to all the water leaks from frozen pipes so
I think he’s quickly losing his patience with me.

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

2 years ago

Just a little FYI - you NEVER APPLY 2 or more coats of stain. Ever. Stain is a "one and done" situation. If you want to rid yourself of the pint, you need to sand off the stain and start again.

Your being told the Pink Blocker must be used with a HEAVY HAND (flooding...not a word OFTEN used with wood...just sayin'!). If you do not know how it was used, then you will need to ask.

And remember your Kindergarten Painting Lessons: Red + white = pink.

And Black + white = gray.

Therefore: Red + Gray = PINK

Guess which colour you need to get rid of? Yep. 'White'.

If you want red oak to turn white or gray (without turning pink) you must use the pink blocker OR bleach the SNOT out of the wood...and then use a Whitening Sealer like Bona NordicSeal...and even then you can still get pink if you're not careful.

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Comments (31)

PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
After you apply the pink blocker allow it to dry overnight, then go ahead and apply your sealer of choice. using a T-bar After it is dried super light buffing just to knock down the raised grain a little. Use a sanding pole, no machines. And onto the top coats, buffing in-between coats.

If, you use Ciranova's Invisible PU (ecofix, wood look & Oculto). You can do three coats and be done. Buffing only prior to final coat. It does not raise the grain like competitor's finishes.

If, you are doing color. You can apply stain after pink blocker has dried overnight. Then onto your top coat. I recommend two top coats before you buff. Then apply third final coat.

Warning: Using a competitor's water base PU can move the pink blocker. The binding agent is different. PB is water soluble. I suggest using a T-bar for competitor's sealer no roller. When using Ciranova's finishes, roller is preferred.
Elle Nolan
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much!! In your experience with the pink blocker, did you notice it turned the boards very yellow, almost with a greenish tint? I haven’t put any sealer on it yet.
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PRO
G & S Floor Service
3 years ago
Yes, it turn red oak slightly green . That’s normal. Allow it to dry overnight.
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Hello! So happy to find this thread. I’m currently using the Ciranova pink blocker on my red oak floors- does the greenish tint dissipate? Is using only a clear stain too risky with red oak despite the pink blocker?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
green goes away once stain is applied over it.
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Even a ciranova clear stain?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Yes, Clear pulls yellow. That will hide it. You may have a hint from certain boards if, it is green, green. You get that with white oak floors.

Did you make any samples?

What are you topping it with?
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Thank you so much for your response! I’m very concerned because we used the pink blocker with clear and the pink is still very visible. Not sure what to do now? Sand and stain traditionally? Can I layer a traditional stain over the pink blocker/clear layer? Very upset that the pink blocker didn’t deliver. Had my heart set on lighter floors but thinking it was a bad idea with red oak
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Also didn’t top with anything yet- just did pink blocker with the clear
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
Yes, you can stain over the reactive stain.

Did you apply a flood coat, when applying the pink blocker? It needs to saturate the floor. If, you applied a thin coat, you most likely needed a second coat.
jmfstokes
2 years ago
That may be it- have you ever seen it not get the pink out? Nervous to invest in additional product without knowing it will definitely work
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
Only, when not enough product is applied. A second coat is recommended.
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Any idea is the ciranova aquapad stains can be used over top? Do floors need to be resanded before staining?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Reactive stain is water soluble. Yes, you can apply Aquapad, and Unico over it, then top it with their water base system if, wanted. Or apply magic oil and Titan.

Keep in mind, you will mash up the color, when applying a water base over reactive stains. It will reactivate and mix in with the reactive stain , when you rub the stain in. Unlike applying a oil product like Unico or a traditional stain, whereas oil and water will not mix.. If, you're able to make samples, do so to confirm your color.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
@jmfstokes what was your process regarding application of the pink blocker and clear?
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Not positive. We stained weathered oak and grey mixture today and while the sample looked great and not pink, the floors are reading way too pink. Is it possible to go over them with a darker stain to correct?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Only one coat of oil stain is allowed. You cannot layer it like a water soluble stain.

Your wall or lighting maybe casting additional color onto the floor throwing you off.
Eleanor Snickelfinger
2 years ago
What do you do when you have multiple types of oak -- assume repairs have been made over the years and planks replaced, so now you have a hodge podge of oaks some of which are very red, and some have green undertones because it's burr oak. We just want a bit lighter and a bit more consistency.
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
Start with a better sanding. Next step, choose a stain that will work with all the different species. Reactive stains are best for this situation. But, do a better sanding first to confirm that you have multiple species.
Eleanor Snickelfinger
2 years ago
thank you!
Michelle Zink
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
@G & S Floor Service, have you used Ciranova Pink Blocker on red oak followed by Bona NaturalSeal and Traffic HD? Results? Thank you!!
girapatel2
2 years ago
HI I was wonderinf if anyone has had luck using the Ciranova pink blocker on red oak. Does it really take the pink out? I am getting ready to redo my floors.with rubio-monocoat. Thank You
HU-138982735
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Anyone try using Ciranova pink blocker and then Bona Traffic HD?

After applying Ciranova pink blocker, does it have to be screened? and then BONA traffic HD?
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
For best results, use Pink blocker with oil stains, penetrating oils and hard wax oils. Although it will work with a water base poly finish. Be aware, it is water soluble. Water base finishes will dilute it. To compensate for it, you need to apply a heavy coat or apply two coats.

It is optional to screen with a maroon pad to knock down the grains, but not needed.
lv2plyglfgal
2 years ago
G and S it looks like you maybe changed your mind with using a water based sealer with pink blocker? If I’m trying to go for a natural color using pink blocker on red oak.. is there a process you recommend ? Stain, penetrating oil or hard wax oil? Can these be followed up with Bona water based HD traffic on top?
lv2plyglfgal
2 years ago
G and S I was considering pink blocker, Bona natural seal followed by Bona Hd traffic..
PRO
G & S Floor Service
2 years ago
Pink blocker works best with products that will not dilute it. Apply a stain or hard wax oil you are fine. When applying a water base sealer over it. It will reduce the effectiveness of the pink blocker. It still works, not as effective compared to the other suggestions. Applying a flood coat or two coats help with it.
jmfstokes
2 years ago
Ciranova pink blocker completely ruined my floors- buyer beware
lv2plyglfgal
2 years ago
@jmfstokes I’m sorry to hear that but thank you.. I’ve decided to forgo a science experiment and going with white oak..
dani_m08
2 years ago
@jmfstokes - I just read your post re: Ciranova pink blocker ruining your red oak floors. Would you mind lroviding more details/photos? I learned about Ciranova pink blocker from another user here on Houzz (can’t remember the user right now - have written down in a notebook).

Based upon her floors, I purchased some to try on a red oak board - and it definitely blocked the pink. I am going to have my floors refinished soon - would really like to understand what happened to your floors. Thanks!

Ciranova Pink Blocker-advice needed please!

SJ McCarthy

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Ciranova Pink Blocker-advice needed please!

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Elle NolanOriginal Author

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Elle Nolan
Original Author