How to Buff Hardwood Floors at Home
Wood flooring is back in style with a bang. The class and warmth they bring in to a space is unmatched by any other flooring option. They are also very faithful and durable. A hardwood floor can last generations. However, grime, dirt and the usual wear and tear exhaust them and leave scratches. Friction with high heels, pet claws and furniture legs also leaves behind gruesome marks. The luster of the wood is lost and it loses appeal. Fortunately, most scratches disappear after a minor buff job and there is no need to call for professional help or re-do the whole floor again. You can get done with it on an unoccupied afternoon and restore the gloss back to your floor.
Things Required:
– Rotary floor buffing machine
– Drive block brush holder
– 1-inch floor pad
– Sanding screens
– Mineral spirits
– Floor finish
Instructions
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1
Clear the area first. Take away the furniture from the damaged area. A clear field is essential for your work. Dry sweep everything from the floor. Remove the dust and grime first. You can also use a deep cleaning product for your floor. Wash and clean the floor using the instructions on the product label.
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2
Select a sandpaper grit screen for the floor. The lower the grit number, the more aggressive the screen. Most scratches require a 80 or 100 grit paper. Attach the screen to a buffing pad. The buffing pad should be soft and of good quality. They are usually available at hardware stores. Attach this pad to the buffing machine's brush. A buffing machine can be rented or borrowed from friends or neighbors.
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3
Start buffing the floor, working on small sections so that you eventually cover it all. Make sure that you buff following the grain of the wood. If you go against the grain, it will lead to more scratches. Overlap the sections so that you cover the entire area. Work in a circular motion because it helps to restore the shine back to the wood.
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4
Once you cover the entire area, pack away the buffing machine. Now clean away the residue and dust using a vacuum or sweep. Wipe the floor with a mop and mineral spirits. Let it dry well. You can now finish the floor using a floor finish product advised by the manufacturer. Open up the windows for ventilation.
