Cheap and easy fix for damaged wood floor?

**Sari** · 04-18-2006, 06:17 PM

We're renting so I can't put a lot of money into it, but I want to make it as liveable and as easy to clean as possible since we'll probably be here at least another year or 2. It's wood parquet floor and it's very scuffed and scratched up, there's gaps between the tiles, and it absorbs liquids, which obviously is not good. I saw a product on TV, I think by the Orange Glo people, that is a self-leveling liquid and supposedly provides a clear, hard coat to the floor. It was like 50.00 for a bottle. Ever used something like that? I need something that I can start and finish in a weekend, since I'll have to keep my pets elsewhere while it dries. Any ideas?

**canadian gardener** · 04-19-2006, 11:17 AM

Yes, it's called floor sealant, I use it and there is no way I'd pay that kind of money for a product like that.

Go to Home Depot, in the cleaning section, and you will find a good selection of janitorial products. Or a janitor supply store.

The product you are after is called a sealant, and I've had my gallon jug for 15 years or so. I only use a bit every couple of years.

Sealents aren't very strong, they only provide a self leveling crack filling shiny surface which needs something like Future or other polish to sit on top of, and protect.

Every 2 years or so I strip everything off, and put some sealant down, then 2 coats of polish, and just put a little bit of polish every few months only in the traffic areas (it doesn't get worn off in the edges).

Sealants come in different types for different purposes. I use a terrazo floor sealant that does grout, tiles, and happens to do vinyl floors perfectly.

Wood floors may need more of a poly urethane style sealant related more to a plastic wood floor finish. Ask Home Depot, or a wood floor place.

**canadian gardener** · 04-19-2006, 11:19 AM

oh and mine dries in 15 to 20 minutes, but I don't put more than a very thin layer on.

See my response in Sew Crafty's hm floor stripper thread for my super easy method using a swiffer and paper towels to apply.

**Sari** · 04-19-2006, 11:44 AM

Thank you! That's just what I needed to know!

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 05-11-2006, 02:52 PM

Well I guess this is the best place to post my rave on wood floor cleaner and polish. We've had our wood laminate floor down now for about 10 years. It was leftover on a Bennigans job site and instead of letting the floor guy throw it away DH brought it home. This happens often in commercial construction especially when someone eles is buying the materials. If there is extra it either gets offered up to those working or tossed.
Well after a good damp mopping with hot water and top job I tried a product Dh found at Home Depot. Our wood floors are every where but 2 bedrooms and with a house full of kids and pets my floors are pretty bad looking. DH said to give this stuff a try and see if it didn't help make floors look better. I've been talking about having them sanded and refinished. Well the stuff was $17.00 for a 32 oz. bottle!!! I wouldn't have paid that much but dh pointed out that if I wasn't happy I could always take it back. So I've tried it!!
WOW! What a difference. The stuff is called Rejuvenate floor restorer & protectant. Made my floors shine almost like brand new! Where my rocker had marked up the floor I went over the spot twice and it looks 100% better. Where the bar stools have been pulled in and out and scratched the floor (before I put felt on the feet) you can barily tell. The only place it didn't help a whole lot was the spot in front of the dishwasher where DS filled it with liquid handsoap once and the buckles will never come out. lol But everywhere eles a huge difference. I must admit even worth the cost. Will see how long the shine lasts now.

Laurie in BRadenton

**canadian gardener** · 05-13-2006, 09:56 PM

wow thanks Laurie I'll look out for that. We just put laminate in, and love it, but over time, things do get worn a bit. Nice to know in my future reference file.