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Winter 2006 - Article 2

From The Lab
How Burnishing Works

The solids portion (polymer, wax and resin) is the most critical element of a floor finish because this is what is left on the floor after the finish dries and cures. Nearly all of the properties of a finish such as gloss, hardness, durability, soil resistance and mar resistance come from the solids portion.

In broad, descriptive terms polymer chemists subdivide polymers into two classes: thermoplastic and thermoset. Floor finishes fall into the thermoplastic class. By definition, a thermoplastic polymer can be reshaped and reformed with the addition of heat. Unfortunately, for our industry, this term has been misapplied to the burnishing process. The amount of heat needed to bring a floor finish to its melting point is approximately 140 – 150°F (60-65°C). Now, ask yourself: Does a floor pad that contacts the finish for only a few seconds create this amount of heat? The answer is no!

If heating and reforming is not part of the burnishing process, then what is the mechanism at work? The answer is abrasion. Wood workers use a series of sandpapers to make fine scratches in their product, thereby producing a smooth surface. Burnishing is nothing more than a method to produce controlled scratches in order to smooth out a surface. When a floor is burnished, most defects in the finish are removed (including imbedded dirt) along with surface scratches. This produces a uniform surface across the finish, which in turn increases gloss. Since gloss is a product of optics, a smooth, clean surface will reflect light in parallel fashion, creating a deep, reflective shine.

Different finishes have different attributes, some resist heel-marking better than others, while another may have better initial gloss. The wide variety of finishes available today means a wide variety of burnishing pads are necessary. Our Durabrite® finish, because it contains polymers of a hard nature, must be burnished using a pad containing natural hair. Eccothane™, on the other hand, contains softer polymers and does not need such a harsh pad. In fact, using a pad with natural fibers will actually produce deep scratches in the finish, destroying the appearance of it. Eccothane™ does well with softer, synthetic pads.

When burnishing is incorporated as part of an overall maintenance program, the life of the finish can be greatly extended and its appearance will remain clean and shiny. If you are ever in doubt as to which pad should be used on our finishes, click on the product page for the finish in question where you will find a “Pad Recommendations” link.