How to Buff Hardwood Floors at Home

Hardwood buffing is a flooring maintenance technique that aims to remove minor surface imperfections with minimal disruption. The process involves lightly abrading the hardwood surface to prepare it for a new layer of coat and finish. In short, buffing is a non-invasive way to preserve the fresh look and feel of your hardwood flooring. Below, you can find a comprehensive guide on how to buff hardwood floors at home from a reliable flooring contractor, floors-are-us.

When Your Floors Need Buffing

Have you been noticing dullness, scuffs, and minor scratches on your hardwood? Buffing might be the right choice for you. Flooring experts recommend paying attention to slight physical damage and fixing it with buffing before your floor gets severely damaged. 

So how do you determine it’s time for buffing your hardwood?

Shine loss

Your hardwood gets duller and loses its natural sparkle. 

Light scratches 

The surface of your hardwood shows minor scuffs; however, the structure of the wood remains intact. 

Worn-out finish  

The top coat of your hardwood has a weathered look, yet it’s not completely worn. 

Besides monitoring the state of your hardwood, there are several other reasons for buffing your flooring:

Regular maintenance 

The frequency of buffing depends on the wood species and floor usage. To protect your flooring from structural damage, hardwood professionals advise buffing your wood floors every few months or at least once a year. Consult with a trusted flooring company to get custom guidance on your flooring care. 

Preparing the floor for polishing

Flooring professionals will buff your hardwood surface before applying a new layer of coat and finish. This will ensure a smooth flooring surface.

Care after cleaning 

Buffing will help you restore the like-new shine of your flooring after deep cleaning. With up-to-date buffer machines, you’ll get the opportunity to clear even the smallest dust particles before they damage your flooring.

Essential Tools and Materials

If you’re wondering how to buff floors with a buffer and other tools, you’re in the right place. In this block, we’ll take a closer look at such buffing tools as buffers, burnishers, and pads. We’ll also review appropriate cleaning products. 

Buffing tools:

Buffers

Professional machines for cleaning and polishing hardwood flooring. Buffers come in different sizes and power capacities—lower-speed buffers are typically used for cleaning, while high-speed ones are used for buffing and polishing.

Burnishers

A high-speed machine (1500 rpm or higher) restores the shine and gloss of hardwood floors. It’s composed of a high-speed rotating pad that smoothes the floor finish.

Floor pads

Flooring specialists use different pads while buffing your hardwood flooring. They can be used for cleaning, scrubbing, buffing, and polishing.

Scrubbers 

Scrubbers are used before buffing for deep cleaning of your hardwood. Usually, flooring specialists use them together with cleaning products. 

Dust mops

A simple, yet essential part of quality buffing is cleaning the wood surface with a mop before and after buffing.

Buffing materials:

Polishing solutions 

These help the buffer and burnisher reach a desired result. As a result, your hardwood will get the desired shine and protection. 

Hardwood floor cleaners

Usually applied during the initial floor cleaning before the buffing process begins. 

Protective gear 

Flooring professionals need to wear gloves, safety glasses, and appropriate footwear to comply with safety requirements. 

Microfiber cloths 

Can be used for wiping surfaces or hand buffing. 

Step-by-Step Buffing Process by Hand

How to buff wood floors by hand? The process might seem tricky at first; however, following a structured plan will help you reach the expected results. Below, you can find a step-by-step buffing plan compiled by the Floors Are Us flooring professionals. 

Detailed steps:

1. Preparing a hardwood surface 

First, make sure to remove all furniture, appliances, rugs, and other items from the buffing area. Next, sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly. After that, clean the hardwood with a mop. Before buffing, inspect the surface for any damage that needs to be addressed. 

2. Applying polish 

Hardwood professionals will apply an appropriate polish or wax using a cloth, sponge, or pad. Usually, flooring experts apply wax by section to avoid stepping on a freshly polished zone. If you’re managing the process yourself, try to follow the above practices. 

3. Buffing the floor 

You can use a microfiber cloth, pad, or a towel attached to a tool—it only depends on your preference. While buffing the flooring, apply even pressure with circular or back-and-forth movements. While buffing, ensure consistent coverage and complete removal of polish/wax.

4. Final tasks 

Let your hardwood surface dry completely. Typically, it takes 24 hours with minimal traffic. You can also apply a second layer of coat after the first one has completely dried. Finally, clean the waste and your buffing tools. 

Common Issues

Thousands of homeowners google “how to buff hardwood floors yourself” in hopes of saving some money. In reality, buffing hardwood on your own may turn out to be more expensive than hiring flooring contractors. The thing is, even the slightest mistakes, like excessive pressure and incorrect care product application, can cause irreversible damage to your flooring. 

Check out some of the most widespread buffing issues below:

1. Excessive pressure while buffing 

Too much pressure generates excessive heat, which can potentially damage the flooring coat and paint. Flooring professionals use tried and tested motion techniques with light to moderate pressure, ensuring your hardwood remains intact. 

2. Ignoring hardwood damage 

It’s important to check the depth of all scratches to make sure they can be buffed. Buffing deep scratches may worsen the problem even further. 

3. Incorrect product selection 

Inappropriate polish in combination with incorrect buffer speed can lead to stickiness and prevent the removal of scratches. Thus, choosing inappropriate products may not only cost you a penny but will also waste your time, as you’ll have to start the buffing process all over again. 

DIY vs Professional Approach

Though a DIY approach to buffing may seem cost-effective, it holds multiple risks. At the same time, hiring buffing professionals might be more costly; however, it will save you tons of time and headaches. 

If you’re still hesitating over which approach is better for you, contact a trusted flooring contractor in your area and consult on the specifics of buffing your hardwood.