How to Fix a Milky Finish on Bruce Hardwood Floors
Bruce hardwood floors, like other brands, are usually topped with polyurethane after installation, which provides a clear, protective coating that shows the wood grain without exposing it to moisture and stains. That clear coating can turn cloudy or milky with time, due to surface marring or improper initial finishing. You can "screen'' off that gloss without sanding the wood itself, then apply new gloss. You should do this only for floors that were initially finished after installation, not pre-finished floors. (Pre-finished floors will have grooves along the lines between the boards.) Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Floor buffer (rented)
- Sanding screens in a range of grit levels (40, 80, 100 and 150)
- Floor vacuum
- Polyurethane gloss
- Gloss applicator with long floor handle
- 220-grit sandpaper
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Instructions
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Load the floor buffer with a 40-grit screen, which is the roughest. Run it over the whole surface of the floor, starting at one corner and working outward. Move the machine with the direction of the floorboards. It should grind up the very top layer of finish.
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Use a vacuum with floor attachment to take up the dust.
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Load the buffer with an 80-grit screen and repeat the process, screening off more of the finish and vacuuming up the dust. Repeat with 100- and then 150-grit screens, so the gloss finish is completely off the floor but the stained wood isn't altered.
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Pour down a line of polyurethane gloss in the corner of the room away from the doorway. Put your gloss applicator in the polyurethane and pull it over the floorboards, slowly, spreading it evenly. Add more gloss and continue spreading it until the whole floor is done.
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Let the gloss dry for a day. Sand the floor by hand, rubbing it lightly with 220-grit sandpaper to dull the shine and allow the next coat of gloss to adhere.
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Vacuum the dust. Spread a second layer of polyurethane gloss in the same manner as the first. After it dries, sand it by hand, vacuum and apply a third layer. Let the third layer dry for a few days before using the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Ventilate the room when applying your gloss.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
