Top Tips for Successful Timber Floor Polishing
Timber floors have become a mainstay in modern homes for so many reasons. Besides being durable and energy-efficient, timber floors offer excellent insulation and have a beautiful natural look. However, as tough as wood might be, it gets a beating from high heels, pet claws, children's toys, and dragging furniture. Over time, scratches begin to show and give timber floors a shabby look. The best way to restore a timber floor's sheen is to polish it. However, it is easy for homeowners to make costly mistakes when polishing timber floors. This article highlights tips for polishing a timber floor correctly.
Test the Finish
Timber floor finishes vary, and it is wrong to assume the type of finish used on your floor. Unfortunately, this is precisely what most homeowners do, and they end up damaging their floors. The only way to know whether your floor is suitable for polishing is to test the finish. Using a sharp knife, scrape a timber floor in an inconspicuous area and pay attention to the scraped material. If there are no scrapes and the finish appears smudged, you can only wax the floor, but not polish it. On the other hand, if you scrape off a fine and clear material from the surface, your timber floor is suitable for polishing.
Follow Wood Grain
Wood grain gives timber floors their aesthetic look, and adequate polishing can make the natural patterns pop out in the right places. That said, you get the best results if you polish timber floors in the direction of the grain. The reason is that polishing along the grain allows adequate absorption of a finish, thereby guaranteeing a smooth and shiny finish. However, if you polish against the grain, then you will end up with stubborn smudges and unsightly polish streaks across a wooden floor.
Light Sanding after First Coat
When polishing timber floors, it is advisable to apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not realise that timber fibres tend to rise as they absorb polish. Therefore, it is improbable that you will achieve the desired smooth finish with subsequent polish coats if you do not take care of the raised fibres. Additionally, raised timber fibres will damage a flat-surface mop, thereby making it challenging to achieve a clear finish. Therefore, it is mandatory to sand a timber floor lightly after the first coat dries to eliminate raised fibres. It will ensure that subsequent polish coats spread evenly for a smooth finish.
For more information, reach out to a floor polishing service in your area.