Years of traffic finally wears the finish off on a hardwood flooring, but the finish can also lose its luster if it is hidden under outdated coats of floor wax. You may be able restore your floor’s finish simply by removing the wax and also giving it a once over with the right type of cleaner. If this does not work, and the flooring is still in good shape, you can restore luster with a topcoat of a new finish, a job most anyone with sanding and painting expertise could complete.

Away With the Wax

Paste wax can turn yellow and collect dirt when you allow it to collect. Standard removal makes it easier to maintain, since the task gets more difficult as layers collect. You will find a variety of wax-removing products for hardwood flooring; many are brand-specific, so buy the one that’s intended for your own flooring to get the best outcomes. In a pinch, you can use mineral spirits. The procedure is a hands-and-knees one — you rub a part of the ground using a pad of very nice, 0000 steel wool before all of the wax is gone, then wipe that segment down using a non-abrasive fabric before moving on to another part.

Cleaning the Gunk

Whether you remove an old layer of wax, you’ll want to give your floor a good cleaning, but once you reach for the warm water and detergent, do not forget that water can damage the timber. It’s better to work with a product specifically designed for cleaning hardwood floors — the cleaning agents from these products are usually suspended in a non-aqueous solvent, such as ethylene glycol. Again, if you can find a cleaner intended for your own brand of flooring you have, utilize that cleaner. If you must use water, blend a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water, dampen a rag with it, wipe a part of the ground and dry that department immediately to prevent moisture damage.

Repairing Minor Scratches

As a floor ages, the finish sustains multiple surface seams that maintain the finish dull, no matter how thoroughly you clean it. A number of wipe-on products can take care of these tiny scratches. These products typically have a small amount of urethane or acrylic that fortifies the finish and also fills the tiny scratches. Because treating the ground with one of these products is tantamount to wiping a brand new coat of finish, the ground must be completely clean. Some kits include a liquid sander that etches the existing floor finish. The kits also have an applicator so that you may rub the etching chemical and then wipe on the finish restoration merchandise.

Display and Recoat

Sometimes the best way to restore a finish is to sand it entirely and apply a coat of fresh finish. This type of restoration, which is an easy alternative to refinishing the ground, requires a floor buffer, a 150-grit sanding display, clear finish and application tools. You display the ground by running the buffer above it — that etches the finish whilst knocking down defects, like bubbles. After wiping and vacuuming the finish using a damp rag, spread one coat of this new finish. The whole procedure can be completed in a day, and while it raises a few dust, you can limit most of the dust into the space where you’re working by closing the doors and working using a dust mask on.

See related