May 13, 2025 - 02:05 AM
View all Hardwood Floor Finishes Questions & Answers
We’ve provided several answers to questions related to Gulf Synthetics , see some other helpful Q&A related to this product.
Question: Can you stain a fiberglass door with this stain?
Answer: Unfortunately, it has to be a gel stain to work on fiberglass. We sell nothing that will work for that.
Question: Can you put it over a sealer?
Answer: Rubio Oil Plus 2C has to be used directly on raw wood. Not over a sealer.
Question: What regular maintenance is required to keep the finish looking good?
Answer: Rubio Monocoat Surface Care is a cleaner for any floor treated with Rubio Oil floor finish or for any oiled floor. This will not work on a floor with a polyurethane finish. It can be used daily or weekly for normal dirt and grime as well as tough stains. It comes ready-to-use in a quart spray bottle. It dries very quickly and clearly, leaving no residue.Rubio Monocoat Universal Maintenance Oil is an oil/wax finish designed for the routine maintenance of oiled floors. Oiled floors can become dry and faded with traffic, and this oil will restore the natural luster and bring back to life the color of any faded-out floor. It's best to use just before the color fades. It will also seal the floor, stop cracking, prevent dirt build up and make cleaning easier.
Question: can this Rubio be used on mahogany?
Answer: Oil Plus 2C is great for mahogany. There aren't restrictions on what wood you can use. There are some species that perform better with different preparation and application methods. But Oil Plus 2C can be used in any species.
Question: This one is confusing as I ordered the sample size. When doing a Sample do I need to get the Part B/ Accelerator component also?
Answer: For sampling color, all you order is the part A. The 2C stands for two component. The part A is the oil and the part B (included in the kit) is the accelerator which helps the oil dry quickly. Walk on your floor in 24 hours, full move-in after 48 hours; cures fully in 7 days. (Oil Plus can also be applied without the accelerator if time allows; allow 21 days for complete cure.)
Question: Can white wash be applied on top of this stain?
Answer: No. This stain is a stain and sealer in one and is meant to have nothing else used over it.
Question: I bought the sample pack of 2c. Can I purchase accelerant separately?
Answer: We do sell the accelerator B as a separate item, however only in 100ml and 1 L sizes. The accelerator can be mixed 100ml per 1 Liter of Oil Plus 2C product. We do not have a sample size for the accelerator item.
Question: Does the Rubio monocoat-oil plus 2C have a free guard gold designation?
Answer: They have different, higher certifications there. You may see them on their site: https://www.rubiomonocoatusa.com/page... https://www.rubiomonocoatusa.com/page...
Question: I am refinishing a 20 year old cherrywood table. I have stripped the poly finish off and want to use the clear oil, but the oil brings out too much of the red tones. Do you have a bleach recommendation?
Answer: We do not deal in any kind of bleaching products or know of anything safe to do so. Green tones neutralize red, so you could try to mix one of the samples that have a greenish hint with the Pure (clear) color. But that will be a mixing science. Another option would be to use a water-based finish, such as the AFM SafeCoat, Acrylacq, on the raw wood. Water-based finishes won't bring out tones the same way oils do, but water-based clear finishes will also not change the color like oils do.
Question: What is the difference in "Pure (clear)" finish and the "Natural" finish with the Rubio Oil Plus 2C kit?
Answer: Think of it like this: Rubio Monocoat Pure = A clear coat that will be whatever the color of the wood is.Rubio Monocoat Natural = A sandy colored stain somewhere between brown and tan.
Question: What are the coldest and hottest temperatures at which RMC Oil Plus 2C can be applied?
Answer: We consulted with Rubio Monocoat as this is not spelled out in their application instructions, average room temperature is the sweet spot for this interior grade oil. It can certainly be applied in lower temperatures, but below 55 degrees will affect how long the product takes to cure (it will take longer the cooler it is). At the other end of the spectrum, you do not want to apply this to wood that is too hot (baking in the sunlight), you will get into trouble if you have a conditions where the oil and wax begin to separate... so room temperature.
Question: What is the best stain for a small room and then what is the most waterproof sealer to put on after? Thanks so much.
Answer: The Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C Kit is a good bet. Rubio Monocoat is plant-based, 100% VOC-FREE and has virtually no odor once dry. The finish is highly durable and water-resistant so no need for an additional sealer. You will need a buffer for flooring that can be rented from most hardware stores.
Question: Can you mix it with something to make more?
Answer: You can mix this with more of the same color. However, mixing with other colors will result in colors that we cannot predict. The part A can be used by itself but the dry time will be apx. 21 days in normal conditions and much longer in damp conditions. The part B catalyst is always recommended.
Question: Staining pine on a child's desk, made in China and assembled at home. Does it need sanding? Pine looks pretty raw.
Answer: This is a penetrating oil product, so it needs to be able to get into the wood. If it is prefinished in any way, or saturated with chemicals/fluids that will need to be addressed before this product goes on.To check if the desk can take on product, try putting droplets of water on the desk. If the water soaks into the desk, it can take on product, if the water just beads on the surface, then you need to sand.
Question: What stain would you choose to make red oak match white oak?
Answer: There is no stain we know of that will do that. We sell sample sizes of all our stains so you could experiment to see what may come close.
Question: Is there a clear kit?
Answer: Yes, the untinted color is called Pure.
Question: I have used the Rubio Oil Plus Two twice now and there is a very strong odor that lasts for days. Can you tell me what ingredient that odor is coming from? To me it smell like a scented cigar. Don't like it! ;-)
Answer: Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is a non-toxic zero VOC stain and sealer. There is a linseed oil smell that is not harmful and usually dissipates within a few weeks depending upon temperature and humidity. Sometimes, there can be reactions between this product and other finishes or sealers that might have been previously applied or even tannins in the wood.Ventilation, heat and lower humidity will all help accelerate the curing process.
Question: I want to use this on a slab of spalted sycamore to sit houseplants on near a window. What color would enhance the spalted areas?
Answer: As color choice is entirely subjective, we cannot speak to that. You need to choose your own color. I have confirmed with Rubio Monocoat that the Oil Plus 2C should work fine over your spalted sycamore.
Question: Has anyone tried using this product to stain grout? I am looking to bring a light grey, unsealed grout to a dark brown, and suspect that this might work despite being a wood stain.
Answer: Give it a try. I don't know how it will bond or how long it will last as it is made for wood. Small samples are available. Normal dry time for samples without the hardener is 21 days. That implies that you don't wash it during that time.
Question: Has anyone tried using this product to stain grout? I am looking to bring a light grey, Nunsealed grout to a dark brown, and suspect that this might work despite being a wood stain.
Answer: Rubio Monocoat is designed specifically for porous wood surfaces. We cannot recommend this for staining grout, but you are welcome to try a small sample and test it out.
Question: Which color stain would be give popular doors a dark cherry color, please?
Answer: Color is highly subjective and every species of wood takes stains differently. There are several options such as: Mahogany, Cherry Coral, and Paddouk. The images online show the Oil Plus 2C on white oak. We strongly suggest ordering several samples and test first.
Question: Would this product be good to use on a raw pine mantle? Looking for something easy and low/no odor since it has already been installed.
Answer: Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C is a lovely stain and sealer. We've certainly had many people use it on pine with excellent results. Because pine is so porous it usually requires more product than other hardwoods, so please refer to the chart on our website that shows expected spread rates. Please order samples from our website to confirm color choices.
Question: Can you purchase wood samples of the different stain colors?
Answer: We sell liquid small samples of the product for you to buy and test directly on your wood as it looks different on everyone's wood. This is the best way to see the true color.
Question: Would this be a safe stain for refinishing a crib? Will I need any additional product?
Answer: The two food-grade products we recommend for refinishing a crib are AFM Safecoat's Clear Penetrating Oil or Bioshield's Herbal Oil #2. Rubio Monocoat's Oil Plus 2C product is zero voc and non-toxic but is not food grade, i.e. not edible.To apply, use the white scrub pads because they won't absorb the oil. Then buff with a soft, clean cloth. You can wash out the pads with dish detergent. Immerse any oil-soaked rags in water in a sealed container to dispose of them. Oil-soaked cloth can self-combust if not immersed in water and deprived of oxygen.
Question: can i use this on maple slab to be used as a large table tray/charcuterie board?
Answer: The Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C , Part A does not have the food grade certification but it is non-toxic and does meet European Standards so it certainly could be used on your project. Please note, the part A alone requires 21 days to fully cure. Rubio recommends using the part B because it cures much faster and it becomes more durable as well.
Question: can i mix colors?
Answer: Yes, you can mix colors, but at your own risk. Mixing stain colors is not easy because most colors are already a mix of pigments. If you want to lighten a color, you can dilute with the Pure color. Good luck.
