How To Create Shiny Floors

A reader comments: "I believe that the best way to pop a shine on a floor is to apply 6-10 coats of wax and buff between coats with a hogs hair pad. What do you think?"

It appears that you and I may have a different approach to popping a shine on a floor. First of all, you did not indicate what type of finish you use, which can have a significant impact on accomplishing a shine (also known as uniform glossy appearance). I am not sure whether apply 6-10 coats within a very short time frame is wise. My experience is that most finishes need time to cure (off gas) between coats and that the first two coats need extra time to avoid sealing in resident moisture. If this happens, the undried finish can tend to crumble and powder since it is still soft and sensitive underneath. My recommendation is that one should limit themselves to a maximum of 5 coats while allowing as much time as possible for the floor to absorb the last coat. Of course, this assumes ideal drying conditions which includes low humidity, heat or cooling where appropriate and air circulation directed away from the floor to avoid waves/ripples.

I also disagree with burnishing with a hogs hair pad between coats since the nature of a pad is to remove the top soiled part of finish and smooth it out. If the finish is still soft, you run the risk of simply removing what you just put down. Most finishes today will harden on their own over time. I usually recommend that finish be allowed at least a few days of curing before using any pads on it.

Finally, the excess coats that you describe may be justified in an extremely high traffic area but you need to remember that what you put down eventually has to come up by means of chemicals and lots of labor. Please think twice before creating future work that can negatively impact your labor budget.

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.