Floor Cleaning and Recoat
The buff and recoat process is a common maintenance procedure used to refresh and extend the life of hardwood floors and some other types of resilient flooring. Here’s an overview of the process:
- Assessment: The process begins with an assessment of the floor’s condition. If the floor has minor surface imperfections like light scratches, scuffs, or dullness, it’s a good candidate for a buff and recoat.
- Cleaning: The floor is thoroughly cleaned with professional grade products and equipment to remove dirt, dust, and any contaminants. This step is essential to ensure a smooth and even application of the new finish.
- Buffing: A specialized buffing machine with a fine abrasive pad is used to lightly abrade the existing finish. This process smooths out minor surface imperfections and prepares the floor to receive a new coat of finish.
- Recoating: After buffing, a new layer of finish is applied to the floor. This finish can be water-based or oil-based, depending on the type of flooring and the desired result. The new finish enhances the floor’s appearance, adds a protective layer, and restores its luster.
- Drying: The newly applied finish needs time to dry and cure. Normally, drying process takes a few hours for Water-Based Finishes and up to a day or longer for Oil-Based Finishes. Cure process takes 5 days for Water-Based Finishes and 30 days for Oil-Based Finishes. Remove floor mats and area hugs while it’s on the cure process.
The buff and recoat process is an effective way to refresh the appearance of hardwood floors without the need for a full refinishing, which involves sanding down to bare wood. It is a less invasive and less expensive option, making it suitable for maintaining the beauty of wood floors over time. However, it’s important to note that the buff and recoat process is most effective for floors with only minor surface wear and tear. If your floors have deeper scratches, stains, or other significant damage, a full refinishing may be necessary.