Suitable products
Sealer: EXOTIC WOOD SEALER
Finishes: BASIC, PRO, TOP, BEST, STAR
Tinting: TINTING PASTE

To enhance the colouring of exotic woods and
reduce the discolouring of waterborne finishes especially on Russian ash, it is recommended to use Synteko Exotic Wood Sealer (EWS).
EWS can be used in combination with Synteko
Tinting Paste (1675). This combination gives you the opportunity to colour your finished floor. Tinted Exotic Sealer has the same properties as neutral sealer.
The floor can be finished with Synteko Basic, Pro or Best after 16 hours in normal conditions.

PREPARE YOUR FLOOR
Check for spills from adhesive on the newly installed surface. Such spills can cause discolouration. Check that the surface is free of contaminants from grease, wax, silicone and other substances which can prevent wetting and adhesion.

SANDING
Sand the floors accroding to MFMA, NWFA or NOFMA procedures (US). Machine sand the surface to remove old treatments and impurities in the wood. The first sanding is done using a coarse sandpaper and high roller pressure. Make the floor surface as even as possible. If the floor is uneven in places, sand locally to even out these areas. The final
sanding is done using 100-120 grit sandpaper
or screen, and with the lowest possible roller pressure.

VACUUM THE SANDING DUST
Vacuum and tack the floor before priming. Do not forget to remove dust from skirtings, windowsills, radiators, etc. Before starting work, protect adjacent areas against splashing and spilling.

TINTING OF EXOTIC WOOD SEALER
Synteko Tinting Paste should be mixed in a ratio of 1 tube (100ml) Tinting Paste to 1 L of Exotic Wood Sealer. The mixing is easily done by adding the tinting paste to the sealer and shaking the container thoroughly. Always use full tubes of Synteko Tiniting Paste. Be sure to completely empty the tube into the sealer in order to avoid colour differences.

SEALING
During use, the sealer should be at room temperature.

• the floor temperature should be between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F).
• the moisture contents of the wood should be between 5% and 12%.

Apply the sealer as thinly as possible but ensure
an even wetting of the surface. Softwoods and beech absorb more; hard and exotic (oily) woods absorb less.
Plan your work well; large areas should be divided into smaller areas between 15m² - 50 m² (800- 3200 sq.ft/gallon) or areas which are possible to handle in 20 minutes. In hot, dry weather the areas should be further reduced. Shake the can carefully before and during use.
Apply EWS with an applicator with a rubber blade (squeegee), with a steel spatula or pour directly onto the  floor and distribute with a red pad. Use a small brush or a small applicator in areas where it is difficult to reach with the a normal applicator. Too much sealer in pools will splash around. Use 150 r.p.m. or a similar adjustment of the buffer. Redistribute the sealer with a red pad - you must strat this within 20 minutes in normal
temperatures. Remove all excess sealer with a
cloth and a red pad. Change the pad once it has filled up.

BUFFING
The floor must be buffed after 3-16 hours using a red pad. Final polishing is done with a dry non-flocculent cloth wrapped around the pad and a 150-300 r.p.m. adjustment of the buffer.

NB! Put all organic materials like cloth in a metal container filled with water for at least 16 hours to avoid self-ignition. Dispose of them according to local regulations.

FINISHING
For finshing, only use Synteko's water-based finishes (Basic, Pro or Best). Work gently with the brush or roller, thus minimising the amount of air mixed into the finish. Be careful in corners and other places where the finish may be applied in larger  amounts. Use a smaller brush in such areas. If the relative humidity of the air is high and/or the temperature
is low, reduce the amount of finish used. If the humidity of the air is low and/or the air temperature is high, increase the amount of finish used. Always avoid direct sunlight on the floor, which may heat the hardwood, resulting it drying too quickly. Shake the finish you plan to used, and in the case of a two-component product, mix according to product information. Apply a thin, even layer of the finish using a low-pile high-roller or applicator. A brush with synthetic bristles may also be used. Do not apply thicker than 12-15 m²/litre. When using an applicator, use the ”snow plough” method in continuous, steady movements. Let the finish dry for between 2 and 4 hours or until the moisture content is less then 12%. When the first coat is dry, make a second application without intermediate
sanding. Vacuum beforehand if necessary. Apply the second application with a normal thickness of app. 10m²/litre. When the whole surface has been completed, leave doors ajar. Avoid direct drafts over the surface of the floor. Normal airflow is sufficient for the drying of the finish. A further coat can be applied the next day if desired.

Note: After completing the application, allow
the moisture to evaporate for one week before
laying rugs. The surface must not be covered
with non-porous protective materials. Tape must not be used on waterborne finishes.