Recommended finishes for oak flooring

1973vw

Hello!
I recently dismantled an old barn on my property and had the red oak lumber milled into flooring for our living room and hallway. It's really rustic looking, with nailholes and oxidized stains from the nails, and we really like it. I've done a fair amount of woodworking, and have noticed that Minwax stains tend to take forever to completely dry on oak, sometimes days. This just isn't an option for our flooring, since the hall/living room areas lead to all the bedrooms and the bathroom and we can't wait days to be able to walk on it. Can anyone recommend a specific brand that is fast drying they have used with success on oak flooring? What about a topcoat (polyurethane)?

Thanks!

moneymgmt

This is a great site, but check out this forum just for old house owners. I spend a fair amount of time there and they'll have great, very specific ideas for you. http://www.oldhouseweb.com/newBB/forum-2.shtml

1973vw

Thanks a lot, I'll check it out!

PK.

I wouldn't stain it if you like the nail holes, rust and whatnot. I'd just use a good poly. The Varathane solvent based was used by one of my guys on a remodel job he did awhile back and he swears by it.

1973vw

Don't stain huh? I was just reading some of the stuff on the oldhouseweb forums, and some other folks suggest that as well. The varathane stuff, is it really fast drying? Easy to use for a novice? Solvent based, what does that mean? I'm familiar with oil-based stuff and water-based stuff...don't mean to be obtuse, just asking...

PK.

I've not personally used it but being solvent based I would think it dries quickly. It may smell a bit though. I went to Rustoleum's website and the msds sheet for the stuff says it's in a mineral spirit base.

I'm no expert in any of the modern finishes, I'm happiest with shellacs, oils and waxes. In my shop I generally use waterborne products on cabinetry from Target Coatings with a smattering of M.L. Campbell solvent based stains and waterborne lacquer.