When should I recoat my floor?
We want to recoat after it shows signs of dulling and surface scratches, but before the finish is completely gone. If you wait too long and the finish is gone, the wood will turn gray as water penetrates the wood.
Does my floor need to be recoated because it has been 5 years?
No – Every household is different. The general rule is that if the floor doesn’t show dulling or surface scratches, it will not need to be recoated. If the wood floor is in your main traffic areas or if you have small children or pets, it is also more likely to need a recoat in 5 years. If you are not sure, we will come to your home and give you a free inspection. If we think it does not need a recoat, we will let you know.
How much dust is there?
Prior to recoating, we lightly screen the floor. However, it is not as much dust as when we originally sanded the floor.
Do I need to move out?
If we used our Swedish finish (Glitsa) on your floor, there will be a smell and we do recommend leaving for the evening. If we used a water base finish on your floor, there will not be much of an odor and you may choose to stay there. Many times we will coordinate the recoat for a time when you are going to be away from your home.
How many coats of finish do you apply?
We generally put on one coat of finish. If you floor is excessively worn, an additional coat may be applied.
Are there times that a recoat will not work?
Yes - We recommend that you clean your floor with vinegar and water or with our cleaning solutions. If you have used any other cleaning products such as oil soaps, waxes, or furniture polishes, the recoat may not work. Those cleaning products can cause the new coats of finish to wrinkle or separate.
Does a recoat make my floor look new again?
In most cases the answer is yes. However, if you have deeper scratches in the wood (ones you can feel), the recoat does not rectify the problem. In fact, it may magnify those scratches.
What do I do if I cleaned the floor incorrectly, the floor is turning gray, or if there are many deep scratches?
At this point, your floor would need to be sanded to the bare wood and re-stained and finished. The good news for you is that we have invested in the Atomic Dust Containment system. This system removes nearly all airborne dust caused by the sanding process, making it virtually dust free.
What do I need to do in preparation for a recoat?
You will need to take out all furniture. Most people will not remove their appliances.
Is there anything else that we can do during a recoat to change the looks of my floor?
Yes - In recent years, wood medallions have become more popular. These medallions can be inserted in your floor prior to recoating to give your home a new look. We can slightly change the color of your floor by adding tints to the finish.
