You must verify that your hardwood floor is an appropriate candidate for waxing before you begin your project. Many hardwood floors should not be waxed.
Waxing your hardwood floors can restore their shine and lengthen their life. The technique of applying clear or colored wax was made popular in the 1940s. The wax is typically a blend of synthetic and (or) natural waxes and solvents. They are applied to the floor in a thin, even layer and then buffed to a shine. Once the solvents evaporate, the wax layer that remains hardens, forming a protective seal.
Waxing a wood floor involves the process of applying a coat of wax to the surface of the wood to enhance its shine, protect it from wear, and help to restore its natural beauty. Here are the basics behind wood floor waxing.
The Basics of Floor Waxing
Clean the Floor: Before waxing, floors need to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, grime, and debris that could inhibit the wax’s adhesion. Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping the floor are all essential steps in preparing the floor for waxing.
Select the Right Wax: There are different types of floor wax to choose from, including traditional paste wax or liquid wax. The type of wax you choose will depend on the type of wood floor you have and any additional coatings already applied.
Apply the Wax: Apply the wax to the wood floor using a clean, lint-free cloth or a wax applicator. It’s advisable to work with small sections of the floor while waxing to avoid the wax drying out before it can be buffed. Apply the wax in thin, even layers, using overlapping strokes to ensure full coverage.
Buff the Wax: After applying the layer of wax, use a buffer machine or a clean, lint-free cloth to buff the wax into the wood. Buffing helps to remove any excess wax and enhance the shine of the floor.
Repeat the Process: To achieve an optimal shine when wood waxing, it’s best to repeat the process by applying another layer of wax after the first coat dries, then buffing it to finish. It is important to ensure that each layer of the wax is completely dry before adding another coat.
Once you have finished waxing the wood floor, it’s essential to maintain it properly with routine cleaning and maintenance. This could include regular sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping the floor to keep it clean and maintaining its shine.
The benefits of waxing your hardwood floor.
The wax is a protective shield. It minimizes the absorption of spills, preventing unwanted stains. It will fade or completely hide the appearance of minor scratches, scuffs, and dings. Wax also keeps dirt and other invaders from harming your floor’s finish. Properly maintained waxed floors could last years longer than they would without the wax.
There are also some drawbacks to wax floors.
Wax isn’t as hard as polyurethane, so it doesn’t offer the same protection against dents and gouges. In addition, because floor wax is moisture-resistant and not moisture-proof, hardwood floors that haven’t been previously sealed are prone to warping and bulging.
What floors can be waxed?
While you can wax an unfinished wood floor, you will have the best results in waxing flooring that has been previously treated with a penetrating wood sealer, lacquer, varnish, shellac, or oil. In addition, wax can bolster the protective properties of these finishes.
You must verify that your hardwood floor is an appropriate candidate for waxing before you begin your project.
What floors should NEVER be waxed?
- Never wax a floor that has been finished with polyurethane. If you do, you won’t be able to refinish the floor with polyurethane effectively. So instead, polish these floors.
- Linoleum and vinyl floors that look like wood, but aren’t wood, shouldn’t be waxed. They are factory coated and don’t need waxing. Luxury vinyl tile will not absorb the wax, so you will have wax build-up that will result in dull floors.
- Bamboo is prefinished and should only be cleaned with a natural product approved for bamboo flooring.
- Hardwood floors that have a lot of damage need to be repaired or replaced before waxing.
- Engineered Hardwood has a factory-applied acrylic finish that can be cleaned with a special cleaner for engineered hardwood floors and a lightly dampened mop.
- Laminate flooring has a factory finish that won’t absorb the wax. Instead, these floors can be cleaned with a microfiber pad and a spray cleaner that has been made specifically for laminate floors.
- Natural stone floors should never be waxed. The wax won’t let the stone breathe and will dull the stone’s appearance. Thus, it will need to be stripped from it. Instead, use a product made for porous stone surfaces and periodically reseal it with a natural stone sealer.
- Ceramic tile will not absorb the wax. Instead, you will get dull build-up as with other impermeable surfaces. So instead, just seal the grout once a year with a protective sealer.
Do Dave’s Floor Sanding and Installation wax hardwood floors?
No. We specialize in oil-based and water-based finishes because their quality is so high, and they give you an easy-to-maintain hardwood floor with superior beauty.
We have perfected the “art” of sanding and custom staining on all species of hardwoods for three generations. Serving the Twin Cities area for 40+ years, we are dedicated to helping your tired hardwood floors regain their youthfulness.
Are you ready to revive your flooring?
Bring Your Wood Floors to Life with Dave’s Floor Sanding in Minnesota! Whether you are ready to install new wood flooring or you are ready for a refresh of your old wood floors, Dave’s Floor Sanding & Installation is the company to call.