To keep hardwood floors looking their best, proper care must be taken with them. Vacuuming regularly and wiping away spills will keep them clean and glossy.
Revivelling or recoating wood floors is the easiest and most attractive way to refinish them without sanding, providing an attractive finish that protects from wear and tear while giving your floors an appealing new look.
Filling in Deeper Scratches
Many homeowners assume that in order to restore the sheen of their hardwood floors to as-new condition, they need a full professional refinish job. Although a full refinish may be necessary in cases of extreme wear and scratch damage to the point of gouges in the wood surface, sometimes simply reducing less serious marks may suffice without incurring extra expense and hassle from professional services.
Wax crayons in a shade similar to your flooring’s hue can often fill in small scratches on hardwood flooring. Before applying it, test it in an inconspicuous area as some wood markers can stain and darken nearby areas of the floor.
To provide long-lasting relief from minor scratches and blemishes, rub raw walnut over any damage, or use coconut oil on any spots. Both products contain natural emollients which help repair wood surfaces by smoothing away surface imperfections; simply be sure to buff after application for optimal results!
Covering Up Minor Blemishes
If your hardwood floor has small scratches or scuff marks, wood filler can help cover them up. To achieve an aesthetic repair that matches its surroundings, be sure to choose a shade similar to its surroundings when picking out filler colors for use. When pressing it into scratches using plastic putty knife or credit card pressers, wipe away excess material afterwards.
Buffing on a light layer of stain to help cover up blemishes may also help. A soft, microfiber cloth will blend the stain seamlessly into its surroundings; but, this solution must be repeated frequently for best results.
If your floors have sustained significant stains or other damage, replacing or refinishing may be necessary. Before beginning either process, however, it’s essential that they are thoroughly cleaned to ensure the new finish will adhere well – a mineral spirit test may help determine if there are any chemical residues from furniture polish or cleaners which might inhibit proper adhesion of new coating.
Preparing the Floors
Although sanding hardwood floors isn’t necessary for every refinish, in certain instances it might be the optimal approach. If your floors have been severely damaged or coated with film-forming finishes that make stain or paint application impossible, sanding may be required in order to achieve a smooth surface that is suitable for new stain or paint applications.
Before beginning any sanding task, first ensure that the floor has been thoroughly cleaned of dirt, dust, and debris. Remove all furniture and fixtures from the room as well as seal doors and vents in order to minimize dust escaping during the process. Furthermore, check for protruding nails on the flooring and pound them down using a hammer and nail set if any protrude.
Once the sanding process is complete and you are happy with your results, it’s time to stain your floors. Consult with your floor team beforehand on what color would best fit your desired scheme – don’t forget that once chosen it can become permanent!
Applying the Finish
Once your space has been properly cleaned, you are ready to apply the finish. For best results, seek assistance when applying this step to ensure an even coat that won’t pool up over time. Use a paint pad, brush, or applicator when applying this coating.
Before applying the finish, use a clean rag to test how well it adheres to the floor. If the rag comes away completely brown or shiny, this could indicate wax or old-fashioned varnish instead of polyurethane; in such instances a quick buffing session should help restore shine while safeguarding against further damage to wood flooring.
If you don’t own a buffer, consider renting one and using a hardwood floor revitalizer instead of chemical abrasion kits to restore your floors’ looks. While revitalizers may be less costly and produce less dust, many opt instead to sand instead.