People who stay at a Mumbai apartment might have some challenges while caring for wooden floors. Timber can struggle in the city with its humid climate, particularly during monsoons. However, proper polishing can help you to seal your floors, level up the appearance and keep them intact for years. Best Guide to Wooden Floor Polishing in Mumbai Apartments
A Guide to Mumbai Climate and Effect on Wood
Moisture is one of wood’s worst enemies, especially in Mumbai’s coastal humid environment. Excess moisture in the air can lead to the following: Wooden planks often swell up, warp, or cup and even penetrate the seal of the boards, allowing water to enter the grain of the floor and damage it from the inside. Polishing and Restoration of Wooden Floor +2CB Timber +2 A good rub-in polish puts a protective veil between the wood and the moist atmosphere which helps in the protection of moisture-related destruction. It is also important to control the ambient humidity of the room; keeping this environment balanced with the help of appropriate ventilation, dehumidifiers or air conditioning prolongs the life of the finish and reduces the risk of deformation or buckling. comaron. com+1
Humidity=Right Finish for Humidity
The polish you select for the finishing can have a significant impact on the durability and wear resistance of your wood flooring in the face of humidity in Mumbai. Some finishes are more dependable than others, especially when applied on wet or moisture-susceptible surfaces. Many people use polyurethane, which forms a hard durable coat on the surface while protecting the wood below. Wooden Floor polishing & Repair Water-based polyurethane is commonly preferred among polishes, as it dries faster and is less prone to future yellowing; however, the oil-based version offers very good long-lasting protection as well. My Blog
Hard wax oil is a great alternative for a more natural look. It sinks deep into the wood fiber, allowing the wood to breathe while still repelling water. For homes where looks are everything, traditional methods such as French polishing (using shellac) will give a deep, high-gloss finish, though one that needs careful maintenance — shellac is more moisture sensitive, and will mark if exposed to water/heat. Wikipedia
Preparing Your Floor before Polishing
Good polish job starts with proper preparation. Step one is ensuring the floor is wet and clean first. Sweep or vacuum of coarse dust, grit, and residue, as even the most minor, can scratch the surface when polishing. My Blog
Floor sanding may be a requisite, especially on the floors a little bit older or damaged. Use a nice grit sequence — starting with a more coarse grit and ending with a finer — to level the floor and remove past finishes without hurting the wood. CB Timber Once sanded, vacuum or use tack cloth, to remove all sanding dust to ensure the polish can adhere cleanly to the wood. nhfcompany. co.uk+1
The Polish – Techniques That Work
In a Mumbai apartment, work in sections when applying polish. Section off the room so you can take your time applying the finish evenly, without feeling rushed. Joe Dunne May 31, 2019 For optimal results use a soft microfiber applicator or pad.
Start with a thin, not so taut layer. Applying too much polish — Heavy layers may not cure properly, leaving polish tacky or bumpy. CB Timber After the first coat is dry, lightly abrade (with a fine grit screen or buff pad) to enhance the adhesion of the subsequent coat. nhfcompany. uk Dust off once more, then add a second (and a third in high-traffic areas) coat of polish for extra durability. nhfcompany. You get a really good finish with a little burnish (using a white pad) to shine it up once the last coat has fully cured.co.uk Lastly, once the final coat has fully cured a light burnish (with a white pad) produces clarity and sheen garnering you a nice finish. nhfcompany. co.uk
Timing & Curing: The Ultimate Polish Guide in Mumbai
This means the timing of your polishing project is critical when considering conditions in your environment impact how polish dries and cures. Do not polish in very high humidity during a peak monsoon; air laden with moisture can slow down drying, affect bonding, and cloud the polish. Avail Wooden Floor polishing & restoration+1 However, avoid the pre-monsoon period or comparatively cooler months, when humidity starts to recede but not before becoming unbearable. Wooden Floor polishing & Restoration
Give each coat enough time to dry and cure before stepping on the floor or replacing furniture — this step can ruin the finish by making it soft or smudged or even cause it to peel in places. CB Timber
Polishing Floors in a Humid Flat
After spending so much time and effort to polish your floor, it is equally important to maintain it because Mumbai’s weather is the most humid in nature. Establish a gentle cleaning regimen: utilize a pH-neutral, non-abrasive wood floor cleaner, NEVER let water pool on your hardwoods, and stay miles away from steam cleaners. Mr Sander®+1 Using a properly wrung out mop — just moist, not too wet — and drying it right after cleaning to ensure the liquid does not get absorbed by the surface. Mr Sander®
Keep your indoor humidity to a minimum. Dehumidifiers or running your AC (preferably in a dehumidify mode) in a few of the muggier days. comaron. Have place mats at the entry ways to try and stop muddy or wet shoes from tracking in, particularly if it is raining. Polishing & Restoration Of Wooden Floor Use felt pads under the legs of furniture to prevent scratches on the surface, and try to avoid pulling heavy furniture across the hardwood floor. mittalbuilders. com
When to Re-polish or Refinish
In time, it will get dulled even with good care since frequent used and climate stress will take away the shine. If you live in a humid place like Mumbai, you will notice over time — after a year or two — that the polish becomes dull, is riddled with micro-scratches or some minor pigment wear. When that occurs, it will be necessary at some point to either put on an additional maintenance coat or go for a complete refinishing depending just how deep the damage is.
When re-polishing, just clean the floor, use light mechanical action on the surface, then reapply a coat the same way you applied it the first time. Sanding down to the bare wood and finishing again provides long term protection with that full luster.