We do not want to go through the hassle of having them sanded down and refinished. Is there a product or a process that would clean and restore an acceptable shine without sanding?
Depends on the extent of the damage. If a few dings, then repairing them with wood filler, stain and polyurethane. A couple of products claim to provide refinishing without sanding, such as, Proshot Floor Restore, or Proclean. If in your kitchen and if water damaged, sanding maybe the only way.
Wow 17 years, I would have them re finished. They are past due.
But if there are only light scratches and you want a dust free way, you should try an automotive polishing compound and a buffer for big areas. Small areas will have to be polished by hand. Use a fine cut cleaner by McGuire's or 3M and follow the instructions on the bottle. Clean all residue when done with a damp cloth. Repeat the polish process with a swirl mark remover. Again, clean all
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residue with a damp cloth and buff clean with a cotton cloth.
When the damage is limited to the "finish" and not down into the wood a light "screening" can be done, this is a bit like sanding but does not get down to the "bare wood" stage. The "sawdust" is very limited and pretty easy to clean up. You may have some areas where the damage does go into the wood and these spots will remain visible so it will not look "brand new" like with a full sanding but...this could be considered a "distressed" floor and have a bit of character or rustic charm.
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Some new flooring is designed to look this way. Top coating over minor "imperfections" will give the room a more uniform look. At 17 years I suspect you have a "dull" area in front of the kitchen sink...it is usually the first to go.
You can get a quick and cheap shine with Old English Lemon Oil from the grocery store, but if you are looking for something long lasting without the long, messy, smelly sanding jobs, try Mr. Sandless -> http://www.mrsandless.com/faq.htm. They did my friend's dining room, hallway, and kitchen in one day, and we were walking on it and using it that night.
One problem with using any "oil" type product is it has a high chance of contaminating ANY future finish....If this oil seeps into the "wood" as it usually does if the floor finish is damaged too deep this "oil" can bleed back into the future finish during its application and cause problems...In the trade these spots are often called "fish eyes".
If it wee my place I would revisit the "screening" and top coat route. If your going to be in
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your home for more than a couple years..do the right thing and coat...the "band aid" restoring products will not hold up.
@James...Murphrys oil soap does not contain the same levels of silicone...which is the primary culprit in the fish eye problem...natural+ petroleum oils can often be neutralized to some degree with a mineral spirits or thinner wash...its the silicone that is the real bugger
But if there are only light scratches and you want a dust free way, you should try an automotive polishing compound and a buffer for big areas. Small areas will have to be polished by hand. Use a fine cut cleaner by McGuire's or 3M and follow the instructions on the bottle. Clean all residue when done with a damp cloth. Repeat the polish process with a swirl mark remover. Again, clean all ...»
If it wee my place I would revisit the "screening" and top coat route. If your going to be in ...»