Buffing vs. burnishing
People use the words interchangeably, and that's fine. Technically, buffing usually means a slower machine with a pad and a spray product, which cleans and smooths the finish. Burnishing is a high-speed machine that heats and hardens the top of the finish to bring the gloss back. Both make sense on the right floor.
Scrub and recoat
When the finish is worn but not worn through, there's a middle step between burnishing and a full strip. I scrub off the top layer of dirty finish, rinse, then lay down a coat or two of fresh finish. It costs less and takes less time than a full strip, and it can push the next strip back a long way.
Why it's worth it
A strip is the most labor. If burnishing and the occasional scrub-and-recoat keep your floor looking good, you strip less often. That's the whole idea behind a maintenance plan.
What I need from you
- A floor with a finish in decent shape. Burnishing a floor that's scratched through to the tile just makes the tile shine.
- Dust-mopped or cleaned floors. I'll handle that if it's part of the scope.
- After-hours access if you're open during the day.
Good fits
Retail sales floors, office corridors, school hallways, church fellowship halls, clinic waiting rooms and gym lobbies. Anywhere with VCT and daily foot traffic.
New to floor care programs? Start with what strip and wax involves and then this page will make more sense.