Hardwood floor waxing is an old fashioned and beautiful looking method to care for your wood floors. Long time ago this was one of the most popular looks and methods to bring shine and beauty to hardwood floors. Back in 1940’s-1960’s hardwood floor waxing was very popular and wood floor waxing popularity is back today. Many home designers and owners came back to hardwood floor waxing because it goes very well with all types of hardwood floors. We receive more requests for hardwood floor waxing today than ever before. Waxed hardwood floor is easy to maintain and home owner can do it with no problems. We thing hardwood floor waxing process will make your floors very durable and protected. Waxed hardwood floors can be maintained with small rental buffer.
Urethane / Poly on Hardwood Floors
Now there is many products like polyurethane, poly, urethane, water-based polyurethane, there are many ways to call the finish and it gets confusing even for experienced contractors. However this gloss is applied in liquid form to the surface of the hardwood floors which dries into a shiny and clear coat. This clear coat protects hardwood floors from moisture and stains. Hardwood floor treatment using urethane or water-based polyurethane can be tricky and it can lead to problems unless it’s done professionally. Adhesive residue on the surface of the hardwood floors is very difficult to remove and it can lead to cloudy and shiny spots. Usually these spots appear because of rubbing or burnishing too forcefully on the surface. If you feel like getting into this kind of situation we recommend to seek for professional help.
Hardwood Floor Waxing: Supply List
- Shellac, Amber, Quart (OPTIONAL)
- Denatured Alcohol (OPTIONAL)
- Paste Wax or Liquid Wax (OPTIONAL)
- Lambswool Wax Applicator (OPTIONAL)
- Some Rags
- Buffer and White Buffing Pad
- Steel Wool Pad and Small Wool Pad (FOR EDGES)
- Marron Pad (OPTIONAL)
Hardwood Floor Waxing: Step by Step
1. Clean & vacuum your hardwood floors and sand the floor as you would prepare for finish and staining. Mix Shellac, Amber, Quart (OPTIONAL) and Denatured Alcohol (OPTIONAL) in a mix of 50/50.
2. Use Lambswool Wax Applicator (OPTIONAL) to apply the mixture. 1 gallon of the mixture will cover over 500 square feet. The mixture dries fast so don’t waste time and apply it evenly. Practice before you start the job or you will have streaks all over the floor which can’t be buff out.
3. Buff the floor before applying another coat using steel wool pad or marron pad (OPTIONAL). This will help to eliminate any bubbles or debris in the finish. Before buffing first coat you should wait until coat is completely dry. Drying process can take form 2-24 hours. Check for the manufacturer’s instructions. After it’s dry and ready for second coat, clean the floor first and then move on.
4. Take steel wool pad backed with a white pad to smooth the hardwood floors. Small wool pads will be used for edges. After you complete all buffing with steel wool pads, clean the hardwood floors by sweeping or use the vacuum head with brush to prevent the beater or plastic head from scratching the floors. Next step is wax application.
5. Make sure the wax you use is designed for hardwood floors and it’s not bathroom or kitchen wax. White rags have to be porous in order the hardwood floor wax to flow evenly. Wood floor liquid wax is also will be applied by using rags.
6. On this step you have to rub on the wax in the direction of the wood floors. Rub it in a circular motion to prevent from lines or streaks. If you rub it straight it will leave the marks. Buff in the wax right the way or check for the manufacturer’s product instructions.
7. Buff in the wax using steel wool pad or white pad. The different grades of steel wool or white pad will result different results. Hardwood floor waxing must be buffed from side to side. Change white pads or steel wool frequently because wax loads up and it smears.
8. The last step: if your home is humid we recommend to wait at least 24 hours. Move furniture back inside when everything is finished and ready. Fallow the manufacture’s product instructions to prevent from scratches and other wood floor problems. Make sure you understand how to maintain and care for your hardwood floors.