I am a janitorial services contractor. I spend a lot of time behind a 175rpm buffer doing vinyl, ceramic tile, terrazzo, etc. For wood floors, I have about 20-25 screen and recoat jobs under my belt, buff with 100 or 120 grit screen, then a coat of poly. If it is a restaurant, you got to degrease the floor first. That is the extent of my experience.
Anyhow, I am popping my cherry on hardwood. Rented an Alto square buff. Started with 20, went to 36, started seeing the most material removed with the 60 and 80 actually, but the floor is over 100 years old and has lots of cupping issues, as well as significant cat urine contamination issues. Can't get the low spots. If you sweep it with a push broom, it feels like it is sweeping the ocean. I discovered the square buff isn't going to hack it. Even with an 80 grit screen, my buffer was just lightly getting the high points.
Not really sure I want to drum sand. Has been drum sanded at least once before. I don't want to drum sand unless I have to. I am wondering about hard plating with my buffer. More aggressive than driving a screen under a pad. As a newb to wood I don't know if I'm wasting my time this way. I like the buffer because I have probably buffed 750,000-800,000 sf ft in my lifetime, though most of it not wood. Thanks.
Peter
Anyhow, I am popping my cherry on hardwood. Rented an Alto square buff. Started with 20, went to 36, started seeing the most material removed with the 60 and 80 actually, but the floor is over 100 years old and has lots of cupping issues, as well as significant cat urine contamination issues. Can't get the low spots. If you sweep it with a push broom, it feels like it is sweeping the ocean. I discovered the square buff isn't going to hack it. Even with an 80 grit screen, my buffer was just lightly getting the high points.
Not really sure I want to drum sand. Has been drum sanded at least once before. I don't want to drum sand unless I have to. I am wondering about hard plating with my buffer. More aggressive than driving a screen under a pad. As a newb to wood I don't know if I'm wasting my time this way. I like the buffer because I have probably buffed 750,000-800,000 sf ft in my lifetime, though most of it not wood. Thanks.
Peter