How To Finish Hardwood Floors With Wax

No new finish will stick to a wax finish or any other finish that s ever had wax applied to it.

How to finish hardwood floors with wax.

Never wax polyurethaned floors as that can dull the finish. These finishes require a water based polish instead. Polyurethane might adhere to an old unwaxed varnish or shellac finish. Test for wax by rubbing an out of the way floorboard with the edge of a coin and looking for telltale wax buildup on the.

Dura seal durafinish liquid floor wax. It should only be used on untreated hardwood floors. Floors that have a polyurethane finish do not need to be waxed. This article will review three different wax solutions and go a long way toward helping potential buyers choose the best wax for wood floors.

The easiest way to test a floor finish is to run your hand along the surface of the floor. If you can feel the graininess and texture of the wood the floor probably has a coating of penetrating oil and perhaps wax. You can use it to add a classy finishing touch to new floors or for maintenance of existing floors. If waxing a floor that doesn t need it the wax will react negatively with the finish and create a cloudy look.

If your floor s finish was applied before the 1970s it s probably wax old fashioned varnish or shellac. Before waxing hardwood floors carefully clean the surface with a broom or mop to remove any dust or dirt that could get trapped in the wax and impact the finish. For example some types of modern hardwood flooring have a sealed surface that should not be waxed. Liquid wax isn t suitable for use on most floors.

Hardwood floors are subjected to wear and tear from foot traffic over the years and require some type of protective coating to help the color and wood. Solid paste wax sold in cans starting at 9 98 per 16 ounces. Make sure to use the appropriate wax for hardwood floors. Either a solid paste wax or a liquid wax.

The brand doesn t make much difference as long as it s specifically designed for hardwood floors and is compatible with your floor finish. Howard fw0016 feed n wax wood polish and conditioner. These are just a few of the qualities that make water based polyurethane one of the most popular hardwood floor finishes for the home. What type of wax should i use.

How to refinish hardwood floors with wax. A small application of cleaner on a microfiber mop is all that s needed to clean your floors. When cleaning hardwood floors less is more. It can be used to add a satin luster to previously sealed or stained hardwood floors as well as natural wood floors.