How to Buff Hardwood Floors: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buffing only works to lift light marks that have penetrated the thin protective layer, such as polyurethane, on top of your timber. Think of it as an exfoliating process. You won’t be able to remove deep scratches gouged into the surface of the actual wood, but you can smooth away any small imperfections that may have built up over the years.

Hardwood floors with a penetrated finish like a stain won’t have the surface layer on top that you can buff up. Any scratches will be directly on the timber. For these, you’ll need to refinish the flooring by sanding it down or just replace it.

Although you can buy a stand-up floor buffing machine, they are expensive (at least $500), and you won’t need to use one often. It makes more sense to rent one instead from your local home improvement store as this costs less than $50 per day. Handheld buffers are also available for small spaces.

There are two types of stand-up buffing machines: spray and dry. The spray type is the one most often used for home jobs. The buffer rotates at a speed of up to 1000 RPM, and it uses a polishing solution on the buffer pad to remove scuffs and produce a shiny luster.

Dry buffing machines are more powerful but are more challenging to handle. They are more commonly used by professionals or in a commercial setting. If you hire a professional to buff the floors of a large room, they may use this type of machine. Professionals charge at least $100 to $300 for floor buffing services, depending on the size of the room.

You often need to buy the finishing product and polishing pads separate from the machine rental. Ensure the pads are high quality to avoid any issues with removing too much of the surface layer. Do some online research or ask the machine rental associate for help to find the best equipment for your floors.

You’ll want to clear the space you plan to work in. Remove furniture and clutter, lift curtains, and remove any floor vent metalwork. These high-speed machines can cause damage if they accidentally scuff furniture or walls, and you need a clear path to achieve a smooth finish.

Thoroughly clean and dry the floor before any buffing begins. Debris and dirt can cause an uneven finish, discoloration, issues with even polish absorption, and the final shine could be less impressive.

Using gloves, a mask, and safety glasses is sensible, and be aware that the finishing solutions can be toxic and produce noxious fumes. The room should be well-ventilated. While they’re easy to handle, floor buffing machines operate at high speeds and have impressive power. Be extra careful when using one to minimize the chance of injury.

When using a spray buffer machine, you need to apply the finishing solution to the floor before going over it with the buffer. You can either apply this with a mop, or, for an easier, uniform, and light application, you can use a spraying applicator designed for this job. The sprayer is particularly helpful if you’re buffing a large space. If you want an especially glossy shine, you can apply a second spray of the solution after buffing in the first light mist.

Having a smooth technique and planning your route will help to simplify the process of refinishing the floors without sanding. Always use a light, sweeping motion that is as smooth as possible and work from left to right across the room. Be careful of applying too much pressure when working close to the room’s baseboards. You don’t want to let the buffer stay in one spot too long—this can cause burn-like marks.

Work backward so you don’t trap yourself in the room, and consider the electrical outlet you plug the machine into—positioning it behind you. You may wish to go over the floor twice to ensure you’ve covered every section properly. Replace the polish pad if it suffers from any tears or becomes thick with the finishing solution.

Once you’ve finished buffing a wood floor, it’s best to allow 24 hours before returning all the furniture to the room and using it as normal. Light footfall after one hour, however, shouldn’t be a problem.

To keep your floors in tip-top condition, be careful not to drag any furniture across the floor and consider using pads underneath any heavy pieces to prevent future scrapes and scuffs. When cleaning your hardwood floor, don’t soak it with water and make sure you use appropriate and gentle cleaning products.

If buffing hasn’t lifted off the scratches or scuffs the way you had hoped, it may be time to call in a local wood floor refinisher. They can assess if there’s a requirement for sanding.