Home Improvements

Seabiscuit36 · January 26, 2011, 11:27:01 AM

So we got into the house, did a ton of cleaning since it was pretty nasty. The floors are Brazilian Cherry hardwood, but they really have lost their luster. Anyone know a good way to bring them back? We used BONA hardwood cleaner and it really made them pop, but once it dried up the shine went away, and the floors got lighter in color. Trying to figure out the best way to make them look great all the time.

And i'm having a water treatment system, all the damn quotes were pretty high since we need a softener and filtration. Ended up going with a Reverse Osmosis system, that does 70 gallons a day. The GPD is overkill, but i figured for an extra 100 bucks why not. As far as a hot water heater, we were going to go tankless, but the Electric tankless seems to be more of a pain than its worth. Now i'm looking at the GE GeoSpring Hybrid systems. Anyone have any experience with them?

Sgt PSN · January 26, 2011, 11:59:40 AM

Hey Beavis, he's said Bona hardwood. Heh heh heh.

Tomahawk · January 27, 2011, 06:07:24 PM

Quote from: Seabiscuit36 on January 26, 2011, 11:27:01 AM
So we got into the house, did a ton of cleaning since it was pretty nasty. The floors are Brazilian Cherry hardwood, but they really have lost their luster. Anyone know a good way to bring them back? We used BONA hardwood cleaner and it really made them pop, but once it dried up the shine went away, and the floors got lighter in color. Trying to figure out the best way to make them look great all the time.

Sand them down and refinish

Drunkmasterflex · January 27, 2011, 07:12:11 PM

Yeah, unfortunately that is the only real solution.

Diomedes · January 27, 2011, 09:39:51 PM

he might be talking about the pre-finished stuff with chamfered edges..looks great when it goes in but I don't know how you refinish that stuff.

shorebird · January 28, 2011, 06:28:14 AM

Same way you refinish the regular flooring, by the time you sand and poly, the chamfered edges are about gone. But it's no project for the novice, should be done by a regular flooring guy.

Seabiscuit36 · January 28, 2011, 07:43:21 AM

ah, wasn't sure if we could get by with just some kind of cleaner for now. No way would i ever want to do the floors by myself, I wouldn't trust myself. The floors we can deal with for now, but I do need to rip down the old deck and install a new one(idiots used untreated lumber underneath, but got top of the line Trex for railings/decking). Then i need to install a walkway to the front of the house, and last but not least, I'll need to rip out the chain link fence they have lining the back and front yard, and put it a post system fence. That should be the easiest, I'll just rent an auger.

Rome · January 28, 2011, 07:56:41 AM

I seriously cannot think of a task less enjoyable than re-finishing hardwood floors, especially if someone has put a coat (or coats) of wax on them.

I can do quite a bit around the house but that is one thing I throw my hands up at and hire pro's to do. It's just awful.

Diomedes · January 28, 2011, 07:56:53 AM

Quote from: shorebird on January 28, 2011, 06:28:14 AM
Same way you refinish the regular flooring, by the time you sand and poly, the chamfered edges are about gone. But it's no project for the novice, should be done by a regular flooring guy.

for real? I installed one of those floors a couple years ago. I'd estimate that you'd have to take a full eighth of material off the flooring before you've sanded down to the depth of those chamfers....that's a hell of a lot of material to sand off an entire floor

Sgt PSN · January 28, 2011, 11:18:07 AM

I'd just cover it with some pergo.

shorebird · January 28, 2011, 07:34:20 PM

Quote from: Diomedes on January 28, 2011, 07:56:53 AM
Quote from: shorebird on January 28, 2011, 06:28:14 AM
Same way you refinish the regular flooring, by the time you sand and poly, the chamfered edges are about gone. But it's no project for the novice, should be done by a regular flooring guy.

for real? I installed one of those floors a couple years ago. I'd estimate that you'd have to take a full eighth of material off the flooring before you've sanded down to the depth of those chamfers....that's a hell of a lot of material to sand off an entire floor

I'd say 1/16". I've never refinshed mine, yet, but I've seen it done. I'm not saying that the chamfers will be totally gone, but they'll be a lot less prominent. The sanding takes some of it, and by the time you roll the poly on it more or less fills them.

Diomedes · January 28, 2011, 07:42:14 PM

so you do still see the accented edges?

shorebird · January 29, 2011, 08:11:05 AM

Yes, you can tell they're there. I liked it because one of the drawbacks of the pre-finished hardwood are the chamfers holding dirt. I don't care how much you sweep or dust, it gets down in there and is a bitch to get out. Refinishing makes it easier to clean, imo. The sanding mostly just gets the finish off, and if you have a stained finish you don't want to go to far with the sanding or you end up with it looking unevenly stained. Its the poly when you roll it on that lessens the deepness of the chamfers. My floor guy usually brushes the poly on, but with the pre-finished hardwood he rolls it just for the reason of filling the chamfers. Like I say, I've only seen it done the one time, but it worked really well.

Diomedes · January 29, 2011, 08:17:14 AM

I'd like to see the results. That's good to know, thanks.

shorebird · January 29, 2011, 08:21:26 AM

Your welcome man.

Biscuit, I have to say also that Brazilian Cherry is some of the most beautiful flooring I've seen, and I think you'd be more than happy if you have it re-finished. It sounds like you really struck gold with your purchase. Is the Turkey Point lighthouse you're talking about by Elk Neck State Park? It's right across the bay from the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Also, I think there is another one up in Havre De Grace.

Also, do you think you can save the Trex when you re-frame your deck? That would save you a ton of money. I hope it's screwed down.