If the floor is not shiny or glossy, and you can feel the original material with your finger, it has not been treated. Wipe a small section of the floor with a cloth dipped in mineral spirits or paint thinner. If the cloth turns yellow or brown, your floor has been waxed. If the cloth does not pick up any residue, your floor has been finished.
Wax is difficult to fully remove, since it soaks into the wood. This makes the floor unsuitable for a synthetic finish unless you hire a professional to strip the wax fully, but new wax can be applied without difficulty after stripping, or even simply applied on top if the old layer is only scratched, not dirty. If the floor has been finished, you can go over it with a floor machine with scrubbing pad attachment to remove part of the finish, then apply that same type of finish to improve the appearance. If you can’t figure out what type it is, or if you want to use a different type, you’ll need to strip the old finish off entirely first. [1] X Research source If you don’t want to strip a previous finish, you can use a water-based silicone polish instead of waxing. Simply sweep the floor, then apply several even layers of the polish with a mop. [2] X Research source
To be extra safe, tape down the edge of any adjacent area to protect it from the wax, especially carpet areas.
If you can’t find a product that specifically matches the type of finish previously used on your floor, try out a “universal” floor stripping solution on a small corner of your floor to test it.
The respirator mask should be labeled as an organic vapor blocker.
The trash bag is especially essential for mop buckets, since you don’t want to later clean your floor with residual floor stripping solution. A “strip mop” is a specialized mop that will do a more effective job, but any mop will do.
Try to agitate the finish with your mop as you apply the stripping solution. The stripping solution should change color as it removes and mingles with the finish over the next few minutes. If you are stripping a large floor, do so in small sections so the stripping solution doesn’t dry.
Try to agitate the finish with your mop as you apply the stripping solution. The stripping solution should change color as it removes and mingles with the finish over the next few minutes. If you are stripping a large floor, do so in small sections so the stripping solution doesn’t dry.
If using an auto scrubber, scrub the area leaving the squeegee tool up (not in use). If using a floor machine or burnishing machine, use the stripping pad attachment. Large jobs may require multiple stripping pads.
You may need to scrub the baseboard as well, if it has picked up wax residue. You can purchase a special baseboard stripping pad if you are using a floor machine.
If a section begins to dry out, pour a little water from your clean water bucket to keep it wet.
You can use an auto scrubber or floor machine for this step as well, as long as you change the pad beforehand. Don’t use the same pad you used to apply or wipe up the stripping solution.
Polyurethane, the most common modern finish, should be stirred, then applied as quickly as possible and in one back and forth layer across the room, overlapping the previous stroke so you keep a wet edge. You should wear an organic vapor respirator mask and keep a fan blowing out a window while you work. [10] X Research source
If your first layer is too thick, the whole process could fail to set properly. Be careful not to drip excess wax onto the floor, and only use a damp,not soaked mop. [12] X Research source Once the floor in one section is evenly covered, mop over it with broad strokes in the same direction to create an even appearance. Now you can move on to the next section.
Read the label of your floor wax for more accurate estimate of drying time.
Your specific floor wax product should include a recommended number of coats. If it doesn’t, apply three or four thin coats. Stop if the wax starts turning yellow. Avoid stepping on or placing anything onto the final coat for 8 full hours to ensure a perfect finish.
Tie the towel around a dry mop head and you don’t have to be on your hands and knees. A buffing pad can be attached under the brush of the floor machine and used to buff the floor.
This does not apply to wood treated with polyurethane, which can be mopped with a mop dampened by a mixture of one quart (1 liter) water and 1/4 cup (60 mL) vinegar. [15] X Research source
You should apply a new layer or two of wax after removing some to create a strong protective layer again. This should not be required for several years at least if your floor was waxed properly.
