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Spring 2002 - Article 4

Wood Floor Care
Job Site Tips

The summer recoat season of gymnasium floors is fast approaching. Achieving perfect results involves more than just good floor preparation. There are many elements that must come together correctly during finish application to achieve topnotch results.

Environmental Considerations

Proper temperature and humidity helps flow, leveling and drying. The ideal temperature range to apply finish is 60° - 80° F. Applying finish in very low humidity conditions may necessitate applying a slightly heavier coat to slow down the "skin over" process. During very high humidity, keeping finish application on the low side of the recommended coverage rate is a good idea. Another important consideration is the temperature of the finish before it arrives at the job site. Product that is very cold or very warm should arrive at the job site well before it is to be used so it can acclimate accordingly.

Air Flow Considerations

The air-handling systems in many gymnasiums pose a challenge to proper success. Some of them are completely shut down in the summer, others can't be shut off. The ideal situation calls for shutting down the air flow just before recoating, then turning it back on after the finish starts to dry. This allows the finish to level out properly. Turning the air handlers back on assists in the drying/curing process. Make sure that dust is not blown onto the floor. This can happen when air handlers sit idle for weeks on end and then are turned back on over fresh finish.

Coverage Rate Considerations

All finishes are formulated for use at specific coverages. Too thin keeps the finish from flowing into itself and can cause streaking and ridging. Too thick and you can get poor film formation, especially under high humidity. Knowing the square footage of the area you're finishing really helps control coverage.