When to stain?

[Palmetto]

My shop is about 4 years old now. When I built it, I closed in a 20x20 area under one of my lean-to's. My plan has always been to finish it out as a office/living quarters for guests. Well, I am finally getting to that point, and im kinda confused about when to stain my floor.
My gut tells me I need to go ahead and stain it now while I can get it good and clean with a power washer, but I also dont wont to hurt the surface while I am working in there....

What is the procedure for new construction? Stain first, then build? Or finish out, and then stain?

Thanks!
Phillip

 

[dcs Inc]

Tough question. If you have complete control of the subs, do it first, then cover to protect. If not let the monkeys in and go in after. Not sure what you mean by stain. Reactive acid stain? gene

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

If you stain now you will need to protect it from the subs as Gene pointed out.
It may be easier to make a mess without finished walls in place.

 

[ilovevocs]

I would protect the floor with rosin paper and possibly plywood, and stain the floor last. I have plywood to use as temporary protection but would not purchase it soley for a single application.

 

[AlphaGarage]

You'll want to apply a protective coating over the stain right away.

Another option would be to stain, then epoxy, then do the rest of the build out. When that's all done clean up the floor and apply a clear coat. The epoxy will offer a pretty good level of protection from nicks and dings as well as fluid spills.

 

[Palmetto]

Thanks for all the replies.
I did just build a house a few years ago, and I know how messy it gets!

As for the stain, I am going with Legacy's Easy Stain & Easy Sealer.

I am doing all my own work, so I think I can be pretty careful not to damage the finish if I go ahead and stain/seal. It just seems like a dirty job to try and do once the inside is finished!

Thanks again!

 

[Palmetto]

http://www.stainedbydesign.com/wst_page13.html

Found some good info on new construction tech from these guys....

 

[Palmetto]

A couple old pictures I have of my shop...

First one is the outide. You can see the enclosed portion under the lean-to.

Here is an old shot from the inside when i was still building. I have since closed in the one wall to the left of the orange water cooler, so the room as 3 closed in walls, and one wall still open to the shop.

 

[dcs Inc]

http://www.stainedbydesign.com/wst_page13.html

Found some good info on new construction tech from these guys....

Joe's a great installer and very knowledgeable. gene, Elite Crete of Indiana