Waxing a floor by yourself will take time – but what you save on labor might not make up for the material costs.
The good news is that if you’re stripping all the way down to concrete, chances are you won’t want to put a lot of color or design on it anyways. This ensures that you’ll have enough leftover wax for your next flooring project.
Waxing your floor
Waxing can be done before painting if the floor is particularly scuffed up. It helps to level out some of the major imperfections and make for a better, smoother finish when you apply paint.
Waxing adds durability and shine to floors while taking care of minor surface scratches. It’s important to note that waxing an existing painted floor can be very difficult because even if you strip the paint you will still have some of the old wax in the floor which either needs to be buffed out or sanded. If that’s the case, consider re-painting your floors before adding more layers of wax.
When applying coats of wax it’s important to let each layer dry overnight before adding the next coat.
What do waxing floors do?
Wax helps to protect floors since it adds wax coatings which make the floor shine. It also protects surfaces because if anything is spilled on the floor, water won’t damage it or leave a residue behind.
What does re-waxing floors do?
When applying coats of wax it’s important to let each layer dry overnight before adding the next coat. If you’re re-waxing a floor, make sure to use a product that is designed for this purpose.
There are many commercial products that can be used to give your floors a shiny finish without stripping the old wax off of the floor. It’s important when applying new coats of wax to apply enough layers to match the thickness of the old wax. This will help to prevent cracks from occurring on your floor.
Here are some FAQs to help you estimate how long it will take to strip and wax floors.
Stripping and waxing a floor FAQs:
How often should I refinish my floors?
This depends on traffic, chemical exposure, and how well you maintain your floor. If it looks dull or worn, you should probably strip and wax it again. Even if it still looks good, yearly stripping and waxing are recommended for the best results.
It can be anywhere from 2 days, to 4 weeks depending on the amount of area you are covering. The more area, the longer it will take. It’s not something I would recommend trying to do overnight or even on a weekend if you are doing your entire house or office.
Will sealing the floor prevent me from stripping it again in the future?
Yes, absolutely. Sealing your floor is a very effective way to keep stains and discoloration from penetrating into your tiles and grout. This ensures that you won’t need to strip your floors as often because certain types of dirt won’t be able to stick.
What type of wax do you recommend for a house with pets?
If your pets are not potty trained and they will be walking on the floor after it’s done, I would definitely go with an oil-based wax or polyurethane to protect against any accidents from happening.
A lot of people ask which wax is best for pets – I always recommend an oil-based sealant.
What are the factors that can affect how long it takes to strip and wax my floor?
A few things will affect how long this project takes. In order to ensure that your wax coating is even, apply layer after layer until the floor has been completely covered with a thin-but-durable wax coat.
Here are some steps to follow in order to finish this task in time:
• Mask off your walls with plastic sheeting and rubber bands to keep any excess paint from falling onto the floor.
• Use an electric sander or putty knife to scrape off stubborn spots when working on circular polishing motions.
• Ingredients will vary depending on the way you decide to use, so follow the instructions on the package to ensure proper mixing.
How to strip and wax a floor by hand?
The best way to get the job done is by doing it yourself; however, if you aren’t confident with your own abilities, hire a company.
If you’re going for quality and speed do the job yourself:
1: Choose between water-based or solvent-based strippers. Combine ingredients and start stripping.
2: After stripping, use a wax remover to remove the residue.
3: Let dry overnight and apply primer. Let dry overnight again before applying paint.
4: Apply several layers of paint until you achieve the desired result. It’s important to let each layer dry between applications for best results.
5: Finish with polyurethane for extra protection.
By the time you’ve learned all of this, it’s almost lunchtime. Go get a sandwich and something to drink and come back when you’re ready for another job well done!
What are the types of floors that can be stripped or waxed?
Types of floors that can be stripped and waxed are hardwood, laminate wood flooring, stone floors, tile floors.
If the floor is concrete you need to use a floor sander or brick sander first before stripping or waxing to ensure even coatings on the floor.
What do you need to strip and wax floors?
You will need a water-based stripper for oil-based paints, a solvent-based stripper for latex paint, or an electric disc grinder if stripping bare concrete floors.
You will also need a metal putty knife to scrape off old layers of paint and an electric floor buffer with 100 grit sandpaper (or a pole sander for large areas).
After you have removed all of the old paint with a stripper or sander, use a wax remover to remove any residue from the floor. Follow the instructions on the package if you chose to buy pre-mixed stripper and wax coatings.
You will need a pole sander for large areas, a rubber grout float for stone floors or tile floors, and a small putty knife to remove wax residue you can’t reach. And if the floor is old wooden flooring it might be better to use an electric sander instead of a pole sander since they are better equipped to handle water-based strippers.
What is the process of floor stripping and waxing?
• First, you want to use a water-based stripper if the floor is an old wooden floor or an oil-based paint.
• Second, remove all of the dirt from the floor and make sure there aren’t any dust particles left behind.
• Third, once this step is complete spread the stripper evenly across the entire floor.
• Fourth, wait 20 minutes for the paint to become soft enough to be scratched off with a metal putty knife.
• Fifth, use a mechanical sander or an electric grinder/buffer with 100 grit sandpaper. Go over the entire floor until all of the old paint is gone. If you are using a mechanical sander for this job make sure to wear eye protection, long sleeves, and pants, and if the work is being done in a kitchen wear an apron as well.
• Sixth, scrape off any residue with water or mineral spirits depending on what type of stripper you used.
• Seventh, after the floor has dried completely, you can now apply your first coat of wax.
• Eighth, to make sure that your next and all coats will be even and sticky make sure to let the wax dry overnight before applying another coat.
• Ninth, if you want a higher shine use 400 or 600 grit sandpaper instead of 100 grit sandpaper before applying the next coat.
• Tenth, once all coats are dry buff the floor with a buffer to get an even finish and to remove any residue left behind. Buffing should be done in small areas at a time.
• Eleventh, clean up the area after you finish working.
Use masking tape to tape off all areas that you don’t want wax being applied to, such as baseboards and radiators.
Use two rags to clean up the floor: one wet rag and one dry rag.
After you have finished applying a coat of wax, follow behind with a wet rag to remove any residue or excess wax. Then use a dry cloth to buff the floor.
How long does the waxing floor last?
Waxing floors can last for years if applied properly, but the exact number of years will depend on various factors. The first coat should be done over existing paint because it’s easier to lay down a new coat of wax than it is to strip off an old layer. After that, you should be able to continue adding layers of wax as long as you don’t notice any scratches or cracks.
How much do waxing floors cost? What costs should I expect?
Stripping and waxing your floors could cost as little as $0.07 per square foot (for water-based strippers), but it will be more expensive for those who need to hire a company to do the job.
The average cost to wax floors is $2.50 per square foot. Different types of flooring will require different rates for this service. For example, it may be more expensive to wax your wood floors than your linoleum ones because the wood needs to be stripped first before applying new coats of wax while the linoleum just needs to be applied.
Is there a waxing machine for the floor?
No, you have to wax by hand or use a buffing machine (which is usually used for marble and stone floors).
A waxing machine is used to apply the wax in large spaces, it’s not possible to use the waxing machine on the floor. Waxing machines are used for industrial floors which are larger than 200 square feet. If there is a large room or room, you can ask your local floor cleaners if they have a waxing machine.
How many square feet can I do per day?
You’ll need to prime the floor before you apply the wax coat, so that means buying primer too. Generally speaking, if you’re applying a paint-on primer, 10 square feet per gallon is your goal. If you’re using a brush-on primer, so you’ll want to paint 5 square feet per 2 ounces.
Being bold and painting more than this will leave you with a thicker coat of primer that takes longer to dry. So if you spray 12 square feet in one go, then let it dry overnight before applying your wax coat, that could mean you’re applying the wax coat on top of a still-damp primer. This means that when your friend says “let’s go to happy hour,” you won’t be able to and will end up working late into the evening (or, at least, home past dinner).
What should I do before applying new coats of wax?
It’s important to scrape off any excess wax from the floor before applying new coats of wax. After all, you don’t want to apply a fresh coat of wax on top of an old one that has crusted over and dried out.
If your previous coat is discolored, it’s probably best to reapply the same color of wax so you don’t have to worry about mixing new chemicals.
How long should I let each coat sit?
It’s important to wait for each layer of wax to dry completely before adding the next one. This will help to prevent cracks or any other damage that might occur if the flooring gets too wet.
You can tell if the next layer of wax is dry when you touch it and nothing sticks to your finger. If that’s the case, then it’s safe to add another coat of wax.
How can I get the best results?
When you’re applying coats of wax, apply one every time after it has dried completely, and let each coat dry overnight before adding another. This ensures that your next coat will stick really well and give your floor a nice shine.
How long do I need to wait before having someone walk or drive on the floor?
You need to wait until the wax dries. That will take about 30 minutes, depending on how thick you’ve applied it – or how many layers you’ve applied (applying multiple thin coats is better than one thick coat).
I want to save time. Who does floor stripping and waxing near me?
Texan Residential Services is the premier provider of floor stripping and waxing services in the Dallas area. We offer outstanding value, beautiful results, and unmatched customer service.
Our floor stripping and waxing services are designed for homes, businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, restaurants, hotels, and other facilities.
Our staff is fully trained with the latest techniques and equipment available. We treat all surfaces with the utmost respect. And we provide guaranteed quality service at affordable prices.