How Does Buffing a Hardwood Floor Work?
The purpose of buffing is to remove imperfections in the sealant layers protecting your hardwood floors. You may want to buff your floors rather than sand them if they appear dull and scratched. You can also buff floors made of other materials, such as tile, to restore their luster. You can apply it once a year and enjoy a brand-new floor! Now some might think that what does buffing a hardwood floor do? It does require some safety precautions, though, including work gloves, protective glasses, and a respirator mask. After following these tips, you can begin buffing your hardwood floor. However, it’s possible that you may need to Screen and Recoat hardwood floor service, contact a professional to find out more. There are a number of tools that are required to effectively complete all cleaning tasks. Buffing is no exception. So it is best to consult a hardwood company to do the work for you. Buffing does not need a ton of equipment. Buffing machines and polishing pads are essential to get started.
When the time comes, these pads will take care of most of the work. In addition, it’ll also require a finishing product. This will be applied after the buffing process is completed. The tools listed here are essential for creating that unmistakable shine.
Before beginning the process, it is important to remove the wax layer from your floor. This can be done easily at home using a wax stripper or mineral spirits. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, as the mineral spirits can be hazardous. While this process leaves the wood intact, it helps to increase the floor’s durability and protect it from daily wear and tear. Depending on the amount of traffic your floor gets, you should schedule a buffing service every three years.
Understanding Hardwood Floor Terms
Floor buffing is similar to a deep clean. It reveals the original glossy beauty and shine of the floor by “exfoliating” the top layer of the floor. You can buff most types of floors, including vinyl, concrete, wood, tile, and laminate, with the right tools.
The two main types of buffing are spray and dry:
- Spray buffing removes dirt and stains from the floor and gives the floor a great glossy look using a liquid. It levels the surface, removes scuffs, and makes the floor shine just as new using the polishing solution along with the buffer pad’s mechanical action. Spray buffing is the more common type of buffing and it’s used with 1000RPM buffing machines.
- Dry buffing on the other hand is used with machines above 1000RPM. The mechanical action that the high-speed buffer provides is enough to smooth the finish applied and remove marks or stains. It is highly recommended to advise professional floor care experts who are well aware and skilled to know how to handle a buffer.
Before you begin buffing, you should make sure to remove the wax from your floor. This can be done by using mineral spirits or wax stripper. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions because the mineral spirits can be dangerous for human beings. You can also use a rotary polisher to create a beautiful sanded finish. Once you’re done with the wax-removal step, you’re ready to move on with the rest of the process.
Buffing is an effective way to rejuvenate hardwood floors. It can restore the original finish and hide any scratches and other damage. It’s the ideal solution for old and worn floors. If you want to prevent future wear and tear on your floor, buffing your floor is a great cost-effective solution. It can not only hide these imperfections, it can also add a protective layer. You should know the right time to apply this procedure to avoid problems. Once the floor has been cleaned thoroughly, apply a finishing product, then the buffing process will begin. This step is crucial to preserving the look and value of your floor. Also, learn more about How to clean hardwood floors the right way here.
Proper Instructions to Follow for an Easy and Convenient Operation
You should start from the corner farthest from the door and work your way left to right across the room. During the process, you should hold the machine with two hands and use a slow clockwise motion. If you spot any areas that are not even, you may need to manually buff them until they are clean.
You should also remove any existing coating. Unlike buffing, screening doesn’t address deep scratches, gouges, and dents. Similarly, full sanding will be necessary if you have a soiled floor. After sanding, you should buff the floor to remove any stains or nicks. Then, you should repeat the process by buffing the floor to remove any dust or debris. Once the floor is completely dry, it will look great. You can even refinish the floor if it gets too dirty. Then, you can use a new stain and finish. The process of buffing a hardwood floor is not difficult and does not cost much money.
Why buffing is a good option?
Hardwood floor buffing mostly targets damage and imperfections in the sealant layers. If the finish of your floor appears dull and scratched, buffing may be a better option than sanding. Floors made of other materials, like tile, can also be buffed to restore their luster. Weekly cleaning with the appropriate tools for the job is highly recommended. There will come a time when simply ‘cleaning’ your wooden floor is not enough and you will need more thorough and in-depth maintenance. You may think immediately of sanding and refinishing services if you have experience with treatments that improve the condition of wooden floors. However, spending your money on those procedures is not necessarily the first thing you should do. Buffing is the solution in this situation.
