The finish is the clear layer on top of the wood. It takes the scratches so the wood does not. When it dulls, a new top coat can be added without sanding to bare wood. When it is worn through, the floor needs a full refinish. La Cumbre applies finish coats, polishes dull floors and, as one Google reviewer describes, knows how to wax a waxed floor. The photos on this page come from La Cumbre’s Google listing.
Recoat, polish or refinish?
| What you see | Usual answer |
|---|---|
| Dull, cloudy, fine scratches only in the clear layer | Screen and recoat: scuff the old finish and add a new top coat |
| Dull but sound finish, no bare spots | Polish or a maintenance coat |
| Gray or dark bare wood, deep scratches, water marks in the wood | Sand to bare wood and refinish. See refinishing |
| A waxed floor that has dried out | Clean and re-wax, by someone who works with wax |
What a top coat does
A finish coat goes on in a thin, even layer along the boards. Several coats build the depth. The last one is the one you walk on, so it is the one that gets the most care. The refinishing guide compares oil-based and water-based polyurethane, and the care guide says when to recoat.
The finishes Tony uses
Tony ranked the finish lines he works with, most used first:
- Bona
- DuraSeal
- Pallmann
- Berger-Seidle
- Ciranova
- Loba
- Rubio Monocoat
- WOCA
The list runs from waterborne polyurethane systems to penetrating hardwax oils such as Rubio Monocoat and WOCA, so the finish can be chosen for the floor and the household. The jug below, DuraSeal DuraClear Max, was photographed on a La Cumbre job.
Waxed floors
Some older floors were never sealed with polyurethane. They were waxed, and they need wax again as they dry out. It is a different skill.
“TONATIUH is such a pleasure to do business with. He takes a lot of pride in his work, and wanted to make sure I was pleased with their work before they left. I have waxed hardwood floors, and even though they are gorgeous, the dry out over time and finding someone that knows how to wax wood floors is next to impossible. Fortunately, LA CUMBRE FLOOR COVERING & DESIGN does fabulous work!”Heriberto L. · Google review
Sheen
Finish comes in matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Lower sheen hides scratches and dust better. Higher sheen shows more depth and more wear. The glossy floors in the work photos may have been photographed while the finish was still wet, which reads glossier than a cured floor.
Questions
Can my dull floor be brought back without sanding?
If the finish is worn but not worn through, yes. The old finish is scuffed and a new coat is applied. Once bare wood shows, it needs a full refinish.
How long before I can walk on a new coat?
It depends on the finish. The refinishing guide gives the published cure times for each type. On La Cumbre jobs, furniture goes back three days after the last coat and rugs after 30.
Does La Cumbre wax floors?
Yes. Waxing is one of the jobs Tony takes calls for. One Google reviewer with waxed hardwood floors wrote that finding someone who knows how to wax wood floors is next to impossible, and that La Cumbre does fabulous work.