Summer 2000 - Article 3
     

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Summer 2000 - Article 3

Wood Floor Refinishing
Problems, Causes & Cures

With the peak of the gym floor recoating season upon us, Essential Industries thought it would be helpful to list some job site problems you may encounter when recoating a wood floor. We've also provided causes and cures. Remember, high humidity during the summer months is the most common source of problems. Always allow adequate dry time between coats.

PROBLEM
CAUSE
CURE
Alligatoring
(finish looks like alligator hide)
- Applying coats too Heavily
- Recoating before bottom coat is dry
- Screen and recoat
Bubbles
- Finish drying too fast (too much ventilation)
- Overworking applicator
- Improper tack
- Surface contaminated with oil, soap and wax
- Screen and recoat

Craters
(often mistaken for popped bubbles)
- Silicone contamination
- Bubbles that pops but don't smooth out
- Screen and recoat
Excessive wear of finish
- Improper daily maintenance
- Grit
- Strong Detergents/improper dilution
- Use walk-off matting
- Correct maintenance including daily dust mopping and weekly cleaning
Fish eyes
- Improper agitation of finish prior to application
- Contamination of surface
- Screen and recoat
Flaking
- Wax contamination
- Poor cleaning prior to recoating
- Screen and recoat
Milky finish
- Recoating too quickly (trapping moisture)
1.Wait one week for curing
2.High speed buff floor
3.Deep scrub and recoat
Peeling
- Incompatible products
- Improper abrasion before recoating
- Contamination
- Sealer or paint not dry before applying next coat
- Screen and recoat
Pinholes
(small pock mark)
- Improper tack (dust specks)
- Existing coat not dry before next coat is applied
- Screen and recoat
Streaking
- Finish applied too thinly
- Insufficient dry time
1.High speed buff floor
2.Deep scrub and recoat
Uneven gloss
- Insufficient mixing of finish
- Dirty applicator
- Uneven finish application
1.High speed buff floor
2.Deep scrub and recoat