What floor polishing machine for regular maintenance

[toomuchworknotenoughtime]

Well, it's been a year and the whole ground floor has been restored. Pine boards in some rooms, parquet in the hall. All sanded and renovated/restored and finished with HWO.

Would it be best to clean floors with a barely damp mop using, eg Osmo wash and care or the Blanchon equivalent (Natural soap for oiled floors I think) and then apply a maintenance oil with a buffing machine?

I'm terrified about losing the wear layer, particularly on the parquet and so want to keep these well maintained. How often should a maintenance coat be applied and what would you recommend. The Osmo or Blanchon maintenance oil for example?

And most importantly, how should it be applied? I tried spreading some Osmo oil very thinly by hand but it really needs buffing up .... I think! Is a machine the best way forward and if so what sort of speed/weight should I be looking for. I've four large rooms to keep maintained so was thinking of investing in a machine. I have seen used 11" and 15" Victor Sprites and Europas for sensible prices but really wondered which was best. Is it best to get a slower heavier machine or a faster lighter one or a heavier faster one? I simply have no idea. And what pad for regular maintenance. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[WoodYouLike]

For regular maintenance on oiled floor you don't need to re-oil or use "maintenance oil".
Wax-polish suffices, once every 5 - 6 months (or 4 - 5 months in heavy traffic areas).

As for buffing machines, the standard household electrical ones are not heavy enough and will just scuff over the floor, doing nothing (except using electricity and getting the cable all smeared up with polish/wax). The best thing to use (and eco-friendly too) is the old fashion cast-iron (7 kg) buffing block - or bumper as some of our elderly clients call it, specially when they had been in military service or even the RAF.

 

[toomuchworknotenoughtime]

As for buffing machines, the standard household electrical ones are not heavy enough and will just scuff over the floor, doing nothing (except using electricity and getting the cable all smeared up with polish/wax).

Bit perplexed. The buffing block is 7kg. The Victor Europa 400 for example weighs 33kg and has an operating downforce of 32kg (whatever that is ... I assume something like the effective weight in use) with a speed of 230 to 400rpm. Why is the 7kg hand worked buffer more effective in your opinion.

 

[WoodYouLike]

More effective in comparison to

..the standard household electrical ones are not heavy enough and will just scuff over the floor, doing nothing (except using electricity and getting the cable all smeared up with polish/wax)

Compared in price to your Viper (online prices around £ 800.00), better value for money and works really well in large areas too (according to the care taker of a large village hall who swears by his "bumper").

 

[will2000]

don't worry about wood you like he's just trying to get you to his website to buy something. Get yourself a polishing [buffer] machine to clean and maintain your floors and they will last years.

Havwoods machinary sell a 13" polisher which would suit your needs

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hit a nerve WYL & DIYnot?

 

[WoodYouLike]

I'm wondering where the (at least) two replies above your one have gone?

Kindly told will2000 it is Ms WoodYouLike.

As for havwoods - as wholesaler, are they selling to the gen public now?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Its a real mystery alright! Verrrrrry confusing!

 

[WoodYouLike]

That's what I mean. Wholesalers selling to gen public is very confusing - best left to retailers and the likes

 

[WoodYouLike]

 

[will2000]

Over a large are a buffing machine would be better, do you not agree ms wood you like?

 

[WoodYouLike]

No sorry, not really, Mr will2000

A: proper buffing machines that really do the work, the semi-professional ones, are rather expensive
B: wooden floors only need to be maintained twice a year - and when you do this for a few years the frequency can even be reduced to twice every 1.5 years.
C: rooms can be done one at a time

In commercial areas, where cleaning instead of maintaining needs to be carried out a few times per month - if not every day - I agree with machines, not for 99% of the domestic situations.

 

[will2000]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viper-VE-...059?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41557e6543

get yourself some red and white pads for the bottom