New Hope For Faded Floors?

A couple of times a week, someone will write or call and ask me "How can I make my old hardwood floors look new?" The standard answer has been that we can screen the floor (an abrasive on a buffer) and then add a new coat of finish. This process builds up the finish on the floor, kind of like the Zamboni on the ice rink between periods of a hockey game. It is an important maintenance step that preserves your finish layer. It is also brightens up the floors. However, this screen and coat process requires professional skill and application.

Now there may be another option. I met with my local rep from Basic Coatings the other day. He told me that Basic Coatings is now bringing to market a new product for the home consumer. Their Hardwood Floor Refinisher product works through a two step process. First you thoroughly clean the floor using their hardwood floor cleaner, Squeaky Cleaner. Then add an application of Refinisher via a microfiber mop. The process is fairly quick, and it enables you to brighten up your own hardwood floors!

Sure, I've got lots of questions. Is the finish as hard as a commercial grade finish? How easy is it to achieve great results? How durable is the finish and how often does it require reapplication? However if it works as promised, even as a stop-gap step between coats of commercially applied finish, I can see how this product could become very popular.

Have family coming to town before the holidays? Put on a quick coat of Refinisher! Graduation party? Don't just clean the floor - refinish it! Putting the house on the market? You get the idea.

I'm doing more research and I'll get back to you with the results. Meanwhile, we're going to petition a few clients to try it out. If you'd like to participate in a market research, be sure to let me know!