Floor Finishing with Land Ark

Floor Finishing Tips using Land Ark Natural Wood Finishes

We have had countless conversations with folks using Land Ark Natural Wood Finishes on their floors. I'd like to give a little more information about that to help you finish your floor successfully. Firstly, Land Ark wasn't designed specifically for floor finishing, however, woodworkers being the adventurers they are, use it and for many with great success. Here's how:

1. For less dense wood species such as pine use the Concentrated Finishing Oil, 2 coats using a cotton rag, brush or lambswool pad (you can get them for floor finishing specifically). Put on the first coat (not too thick) leave overnight or until the wood has taken the oil in and buff off any excess. Repeat the second coat and let sit for a 1 day up to 1 week and buff out. For denser species, the Concentrated works fine as well, but may be slower in absorption time. Consider using the Interior Finish (Original Finish) in that case, it has more solvent and should penetrate quicker.
   
2. If desired, top coat with a very thin coat of Non-Staining End Sealer/Liquid Wax.
   
3. Let wax sit for 1 day up to 1 week and buff out. Multiple buffings lend greater results. The oils in the floor won't cure for 3-4 weeks, so be patient. It will be hard after the cure time.
   
4. For any smudging during cure period, just rub out with a cotton rag or buff.
5. For long term cleaning, use any oil-soaps like Murphy's, Ecover floor cleaner, etc. For abrasions or deep scuffing you can use a green Scotch-Brite scrub pad with the oil soap or even more Land Ark and buff dry.
6. For fixing the dry areas over the years, just buff in more Land Ark as needed, there is no need to sand off the old finish. It will blend.

Troubleshooting: Some folks have had problems, mainly with not allowing it time to cure and putting on too much oil. Also, people often think they want natural oils because that sounds cool, but they really want polyurethane in overall look and performance. The two do behave quite differently so please do test areas to make sure you or your customers LOVE it! For UV protection consider using our 'Exterior Finish' which now is made with a nano Zinc Oxide and won't leave any sticky residue or add color.
Clean Up: Use the Pure Citrus Solvent to take off oil you may have gotten on your equipment, glass windows, or tile.

Call us with questions at 541-84... or 888-Land Ark.

The photo above is by Alex Greene, from Red Beard Lumber Co. who mills, lays and finishes beautiful hardwood floors and loves Land Ark!

Land Ark and Earthen Floor Finish

Yes, that’s right, you can now use Land Ark finishes on earthen floors for a beautiful natural look with rugged durability, and like all our products, without the use of toxic dryers or harmful chemicals.
WHAT TO USE: The best results come from saturating the floor with our Concentrated Finishing Oil (Earthen Floor Finish) and top coating with 2-3 thin coats of Non-Staining End Sealer/Liquid Wax. You can also add oxide pigments for a variety of rich colors. Why put yourself at risk from toxic dryers and chemical additives in hardware store variety finishes? Land Ark is the way to go.... GREEN!

Here's what one natural builder and earthen floor expert has to say:

“Earthen floors are laid as a wet mix of clay rich soil, sand and fiber. After drying, these raw floors are sealed with many layers of linseed oils mixed with thinner and then finished with a wax or resin.. The Concentrated Finishing Oil from Land Ark works great for me. It already has citrus thinner in it, which I absolutely prefer.

I apply many layers, until the floor is full and then let it dry for about a week. I then use Land Ark Non-Staining End Sealer/Liquid Wax, applying with a buffer...beautiful! I have also been playing around with the pigmented oils; they color the basic brown floor nicely. ”-Sukita Crimmel, From These Hands, LLC

More about From These Hands and Sukita:

From These Hands, LLC is a natural building company with the mission to offer design, contracting and consultation for earthen floors, plasters, walls and sculpture.

Earthen Floors have recently become our focus and with that we have done the work of finding all the best materials. Local is very important to us, as well as non toxic. After a few other attempts at different options for the oil we use to seal the floors, we have landed with Land Ark Natural Wood Finishes from Land Ark Northwest.

With the integration of earthen construction methods and materials with green building options, we are rekindling the trust and knowledge to build with the earth.

From These Hands, LLC, Sukita Crimmel:: Owner, manager, general mud enthusiast and earthen floor specialist. Phone: 503.957.6132, mudgirl@sukita.com, www.sukita.com

Stay tuned for more on this in the future....

Small Farmer's Journal Horsedrawn Auction & Swap Meet

Land Ark Northwest is heading to Madras, Oregon, April 17-19th for the Small Farmer's Journal Horsedrawn Auction & Swap Meet at the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds. We will have a booth there, be kicking up our heels and having a great time (oh, and talking about our wood finish)! Visit this great organization's webpage at www.smallfarmersjournal.com! We hope to see you there!

Wood Finishing talk at the Timber Framer's Guild Western Conference

Coming up soon - March 28th - Autumn and Aaron Bauman will be giving a 90 minute talk and demonstration on wood finishes and wood finishing at the upcoming Timber Framer's Guild Western Conference in Sunriver, Oregon. Below is the summary that will be published in the conference proceedings. We'd love to see you there!

Wood Finishing: Traditional to Modern Finishes and Techniques

You’ve just spent months in the shop cutting on a frame, or if you’re cutting your own house frame, maybe years. The structure is finally up, the roof is going on, winter is coming soon and you need to get a finish on those timbers fast. What kind of finish do you use? How do you put it on? What are the longer term issues based on this hasty choice you just made? There are many options out there for what to finish your frame with. Some of our topics will include:

• A discussion on how many different finishes work. What are the differences between polyurethane, water-based finishes, natural oils, varnishes, etc.
• Frame prep before finishing
• What is end sealer? Do I need it? What does it do?
• We will also address your ‘Green’ finish options, what that means for your framing job, homeowner and applicator safety, and application considerations
• What are the best options for the overall look and health of your timber frame?
• Long-term care and maintenance
• Using stains and exterior pigments

We will also present a basic overview of traditional wood finishing techniques that can be used on a variety of wood projects in addition to timber framing, from furniture, windows and trim, to floors. We will split our time going from slide presentation to hands-on finishing demonstrations to keep it lively. Bring your questions, experiences (or lack thereof), finishing disasters or dramas and we’ll be sure to do our best to answer your questions or help guide your next project!

Bio: Autumn and Aaron Bauman are manufacturers of Land Ark Natural Wood Finishes and run Land Ark Northwest out of Blodgett, Oregon. They have their hands on all types of woodworking projects and in various finishes, not just their own. They purchased a rural, abandoned lumber mill site last January and in their spare time, have begun a clean up and restoration in preparation of starting the Oregon Folk School. Starring of course, architecture with lots of timber framing. Stay tuned…

2009 upcoming events for Land Ark NW

2009 Schedule so far...

Please come find Land Ark Natural Wood Finishes at the following events. We would love to meet you and talk with you in person about our finishes!

March 25-29th - Timber Framer's Guild Western Conference in Sun River, Oregon. We will be offering a class in natural wood finishing at the conference (not just about using our product!). FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS PLACED IN PERSON AT THE CONFERENCE!

November 4-8th - Timber Framer's Guild Eastern Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. 20% DISCOUNT ON ORDERS PLACED IN PERSON AT THE CONFERENCE!

Spring '09 (TBA) you'll find us working with Project Green Build, applying finishes for their Felida Green home. Finishing workshop may be available.

Summer '09 (TBA) watch for us in Brasstown, NC helping with the TFG blacksmithing timber frame project.

We can also be available to do demonstrations in the Northwest (or other locations with some arrangement) for your timber frame shop, green building organization, or other group. Just give us a call to get you on the schedule!

Keep checking the list- we will be adding more dates and events along the way!

Where to buy Land Ark Products/Distributors

We have lots of people asking us where we can purchase Land Ark. Well, you can always buy it directly from us. We ship almost any where and pretty reasonably at that. We haven't spent too much time seeking distributors and retailers, but we do have a few. Here is the list as it stands right now. We are looking for more good folks to distribute. Please give us a call if you are interested. We really need someone in British Columbia, Canada and Hawaii!

Washington

• Reliance Specialty Building Products, Spokane, WA, 509-466-9300, Email: paul@reliancebsp.com, Web: http://www.reliancesbp.com
• Mom's Garage, Vancouver/Portland area. Call Christina at 503-819-1222.

Oregon

• The Green Store, 500 Olive St., Eugene, OR 97401, 541-687-5853, Email: thegreen,store@yahoo.com.
• Mom's Garage, Vancouver/Portland area. Call Christina at 503-819-1222.

Montana

• Fischworks Inc., 201 2nd St. E, Whitefish, MT 59937, 406-261-3743, Email: fischworks@gmail.com Web: www.fischworks.com.

Arizona

• Atalana's Organic or Recycled, 38 Main St., P.O. Box 317, Bisbee, Arizona 85603, 520-432-9976.

Canada

• Boards by George, Meadow Creek, BC V0G1No Canada, 250-366-4235
• Zirnhelt Timber Frames, Big Lake, BC V0L 1G0 Canada, 250-243-2350, Email: info@zirnhelttimberframes.com, Web: www.zirnhelttimberframes.com.
• Timber Tools, Ontario, Canada, 1-800-350-8176, 11 Church St., RR #10, Brampton, Ontario L6Y 0J5, Web: www.timbertools.com.

Check back with us for more additions.
Thanks!

Time for a new update!

We know it's been a while since our last (one) blog post. We've had such a busy year that we have just neglected this site. We are continually working on our web page and in the development of our finishes. We have a new finish we've just made- a Hard Wax/Floor and Furniture Finish. It's a thick paste wax with more rosin content and less solvent for a tougher finish specifically designed for floors. But as always, without the use of any toxic chemicals or substances and using all of our wholesome ingredients found in our other finishes.

We've also been playing with new recipes lately for surfaces other than wood and with great success. We have testing underway for a natural European marble finish, concrete, earthen walls (for all your Green building needs), etc. We will let you know more when we get closer on the products we're ready to bring to you. Expect great things!!

Yes, we are still working on getting our online store up and running. We are SO close. Please continue practicing patience.

Also, we would like to let you know that we will be appearing at a few trade shows across the country in 2008. The list so far is as follows:

March 28-30th - The Log Home & Timber Frame Expo in Portland, Oregon at the Portland Expo Center. We'll be in booth #422!

April 17-20th - The Timber Framer's Guild Western Conference held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho.

May 17 and 18th- The Greener Homes & Gardens Expo in Portland, Oregon at the Portland Expo Center.

September 26-28th - The Log Home & Timber Frame Expo in Denver, Colorado (tentative).

November 5-9th, Timber Framer's Guild Eastern Conference, to be held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. (tentative)

We also would love to schedule some time to do a product demo for you or your organization. Please just give us a call or drop us an Email and set something up.

In other news: we will be relocating our shop to a wonderful new location just outside of Corvallis, Oregon very soon. We have purchased an old industrial site that was once home to a rural lumber mill seated in the beautiful Harlan Valley just of highway 20 between Corvallis and Newport. The site needs major clean up and restoration, but we are committed to revitalizing the land back to a productive, clean and inspirational place again. We are going to inhabit an old building left on the site while we build our new timber framed shop nearby. Our new shop will be run completely off the grid from micro-hydro and solar power. We're excited about the project and will of course post pictures and updates as they happen!

Please stay tuned and thank you for your time and attention. Have a wonderful winter!