Hardwood floors.
-
KMS Woodworks on Oct 26, 2013The shine on floors comes from the protective "top" layer. In most cases with sand in place flooring this is done with a polyurethane product, either in oil based or water based. Personally I prefer the oil based hands down as it adds a lot more depth to the wood grain. The most common sheens are satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Glossy finishes are a bit more durable, but as they wear they become due due to microscopic scratches etc. The problem when working with gloss floors is the main wear area will become dull leaving shiny areas along the perimeter. This "contrast" exacerbates the visual look of wear, and is the main reason I recommend satin. It will look better and more uniform longer. You may have used some "mop and glow" type product with some crazy mixture of liquid plastic / wax or what ever. The best thing to "refresh" a floors finish is to do what is called a "screen and re-coat". Here the floor is very lightly "sanded" using a fine mesh screen. This allows a new coat of poly to bind better. This works great if the finish is not worn through to the base wood, and if the floor has not been "contaminated" with some floor polishes, soaps etc. Silicone cleaners and "oil" soaps should NEVER be used on a floor. You might have some luck "stripping" the floor with a floor buff and red buff pad using a light cleaner. Earlier this year I did a full sand on a homes main level just prior to it being listed. With "perfect" floors the homeowers got an offer two days after it was listed. If the home is empty now is the time to do the work.Helpful Reply
-
-
The Garden Frog with C Renee on Oct 26, 2013Yes, try the cleaning product down the stain aisle in Home Depot. It is a Minwax product to clean the floor and then there is a product that puts the shine back on. I told the the neighbor and she loved it.Helpful Reply
-
-
Spheramid Enterprises on Oct 27, 2013KMS Nailed it.Helpful Reply
-
-
Sherrie on Oct 27, 2013KMS is right. When cleaning wood you don't use cleaners or shiny products on them. You can use products like Bona, or water, or water with a drop of dish soap. Mop, dry. I have a friend that used the wrong product on her floor they got down in their hands and knee's with a greenie and stripped their floors. I would suggest you follow KMS guidelines. He knows wood.Helpful Reply
-
-
Leslie M on Oct 27, 2013Thank you KMS and all of you for your answers. I wish I could go back in time and not have used that stuff. KMS when you say that you should never use "oil" soaps, are you meaning Murphy's Oil? I thought that was what most people use. C Renee Fuller, when you say after using the Minwax product to clean the floor that there is a product that then puts the shine on it, is that a Minwax product as well? I sure learned my lesson on this one. I wish I would have followed my gut on this, because when I first opened the bottle I thought this looks like Mop and Glo and I was hesitant to use it, but gave in to my reservations and use it. I just remember my friend (who was not there at the time) saying I want the floor to shine shine shine, and after cleaning it, it was not shiny, so I went and bought this stuff. Big mistake.Helpful Reply
- See 1 previous
-
-
Leslie M on Oct 27, 2013C Renee Fuller, do you think it would remove the shiny product I put on it? Like I said it appears to be similar to Mop and Glo.Helpful Reply
-
-
Leslie M on Oct 27, 2013sounds good, thank you so much. Boy did I learn my lesson, I'm surprised that stuff is even on the shelves. Thank you.Helpful Reply
-
-
Sherrie on Oct 27, 2013I always read your information and posts KMS. I need as much education I can get!Helpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
How can I combine hardwood floors with engineered hardwood flooring?
On our main floor, we have an open concept living room, dining nook and kitchen, that connects to a hallway, foyer and 1/2 bath. The living room, hall, foyer and bat... See more
Transitioning hardwood floor to tile floor-is there a better way?
We recently installed hardwood floors. The installers used a wide trim between rooms. I think it cheapens the look of the hardwood. Is there another, better looking ... See more
How to get wood filler residue off hardwood floors?
My hardwood installer filled some oversized cracks between boards with tinted wood putty. Now there are big smudges of filler residue around the areas where he worke... See more
Vinyl plank wood-look floor versus engineered hardwood
We are building a new home and trying to decide between engineered hardwood or vinyl plank wood-look flooring. We have two kids and are wanting durability but want it... See more
How to get drywall dust out of the hardwood floor grain
We have recently renovated the en-suite bathroom and the drywall and cement dust (silt) has settled into the grain of the hardwood bedroom floor. Our steam cleaner i... See more
How do I clean dried cat vomit off of a hardwood floor?
I have unsealed wood floors that have dried cat vomit on them (my one cat expresses his dismay by vomiting). I want to remove these stains without leaving any resid... See more