Simply applying a fresh coat of finish to your hardwood floors is recoating. Though similar, recoating is often confused with refinishing. When recoating, buffing or screening, you are not removing the original finish on the floor as you are with refinishing. When you do you have the option to completely change the color of the finish, to retexture, or just reapply the same finish that is preexisting, it is common for hardwood floors to be recoated more than once during the life of the hardwood floor. The basics of recoating your hardwood floors is what we at D&M Carpet Cleaning would like to further discuss today.
What is the Difference Between Recoating & Refinishing Hardwood Floors?
Over time and use, it is natural for the wear and tear of your hardwood floors to take a toll. From the worn patches and scratches, wood floors can look unsightly and old. Without going through the extent of refinishing them, recoating can be an easy solution to rejuvenate your hardwood floors. Recoating is a good option to even out the finish if any repairs were made or need to be made. Recoating is more cost-effective than refinishing as well. Because DIY projects can make a simple mistake, professional recoating services are optimal, forcing you to get them refinished. Below are the steps for recoating.
How to Recoat & Screen a Hardwood Floor
1) Know the Hardwood Floor Finish. Make certain you know exactly what finish is currently on the flooring before you dive in. As long as the floor has no wax finish, you are working with a polyurethane finish. Perform a simple spot test in an inconspicuous area, like the corner if perform a simple spot test in an inconspicuous area, like the corner if you don’t know whether you have a polyurethane or wax finish.
Spot Test: In water or mineral spirits, dip a piece of extra fine steel wool, rub the floor. The steel wool will have a grey smudge or dirty looking film if the floor has a wax finish. Especially if it has excessive buildup from cleaning with soaps or products with wax in it over the years wax is particularly difficult to remove. It will likely not adhere to the wood efficiently if you try to recoat with a polyurethane finish.
2) Hardwood Floor Preparation. Also known as scuffing, buffing, or screening, prepare the recoating project by lightly sanding the floor after you know the finish. Once you have finished sanding, you will end with a smooth surface, do not sand down to the bear wood.
3) Thorough Hardwood Floor Cleaning. You will want to ensure the floor is efficiently cleaned after you finished sanding. To extract as much dust as possible, begin by using the vacuum. With the pure mineral spirits that has dampened a rag, go over the surface. Other cleaners will impact the recoating since they leave behind a residue. Allow the floor to dry entirely prior to moving on. If you do not already know match up the color of the finish. You can perform a patch test to select the right color since this can be difficult. If you are repairing a portion of the floor, you will only need to match coat a hardwood floor, usually.
4) Hardwood Floor Finish Application. Next to the walls, begin at the floor edges. apply the rest of the finish to the entire floor, use a long- handled foam or lamb’s wool applicator similarly to a paint roller. After the finish is completely dry, you can then apply a clear polyurethane coating. Keep the room properly ventilated at all times.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning, Buffing, Recoating & More in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Covington, Conyers, Loganville & Atlanta Georgia
Make certain your recoating service is done right and efficiently, call D&M Carpet Cleaning. Since this is more of a process than people realize.
