Hardwood floor refinishing question

[Sundancefisher]

Any experts out there?

We had a small reno done in the house and the contractor matted the floor and taped it down to prevent damage to the hard wood. Unfortunately after two weeks when the tape was pulled up it also pulled up the finish.

Question is can you reasonably buff the floor and put new coating on it and still look good or does one need to completely strip, sand, stain and recost the whole floor?

I know nothing of hardwood floors.

[trophybook]

Was this their first job? I'd make them pay. Im speaking from a contractor point of view. As I have had to replace floors due to inept apprentices that did less damage.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by trophybook

Was this their first job? I'd make them pay. Im speaking from a contractor point of view. As I have had to replace floors due to inept apprentices that did less damage.

They used a 3M tape fit for purpose with no warnings. 3M is going to change the warnings. They were top notch professionals and are going to pay to fix the floor. I don’t want to screw them over either. They had a person come out and say they can buff and re-coat the floor. Not sure that is the correct thing to do.

I need a hardwood flooring refinishing expert to come out

Ideas?

[walking buffalo]

What finish did they use?

How soon after finishing was the floor covering and tape applied?

Why was the tape left on for two weeks?
Did the experts say this would be ok?


Depending on the type of finished applied, buffing out and recoating could be done, or not. It really depends on details not provided yet.

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

What finish did they use?

How soon after finishing was the floor covering and tape applied?

Why was the tape left on for two weeks?
Did the experts say this would be ok?


Depending on the type of finished applied, buffing out and recoating could be done, or not. It really depends on details not provided yet.

To clarify. They renovated a bathroom. Covered and taped the floor during the job to protect the floor. Their is no question they will make it right. I just think intuitively putting a buff and top coat on a old floor will look bad or fall apart quicker. I am thinking to do it properly it needs to be stripped, sanded, restained and recoated. But I am not an expert on hardwood floor refinishing.

3M guy said not to leave the tape on more than 5 days however they acknowledged it doesn’t say that anywhere on the product. They will fix that. Contractor never had that happen before.

I think everyone is being upfront. Just want the hardwood fixed. Any ideas?

[walking buffalo]

I'm still confused on pertinent details.

To confirm, this is a floor that was NOT newly refinished, just covered to protect from other renovations?

Most importantly, what is the finish on the floor?

Some finished can be buffed and recoated, others can't.

To answer your question, the type of existing finish must be determined.




Assuming the floor was not newly finished, the tape should not have lifted the finish if it was in good shape. This means there are problems with the existing finish and the bond to the wood. This sounds like it was neither the contractors nor 3M's fault.
The tape may have lifted the finish after even a couple of days.
The fault fully lies with an old finish that has decomposed.
The contractors should not be held responsible for the damage.


Recoating over this could cause even more problems.
While the new coat may bond well to the existing finish, there is a significant chance that blisters will grow wherever the old finish and wood are no longer well bonded.

I'm actually fixing this exact problem for a client right now.
A fir floor with Spar varnish reapplied to an old Spar varnish finish.
Blisters are growing wherever the old finish had pin holes to the wood.
In this case, the best solution is a full sand, stain and recoat.