How to Determine What Wood Floors Are Sealed With
- 1). Rub the floor with your finger. The floor has a surface sealant if no smudge appears. If a smudge does appear on the floor, it has been covered with a penetrating sealant such as varnish or shellac prior to being waxed.
- 2). Apply a tiny amount of paint remover in a corner of your hardwood floor. The floor has been covered with a surface sealant if bubbles appear in the finish.
- 3). Slide your hand over the floor. If you can feel the grain of the wood, it usually means the floor has a penetrating finish.
- 4). Scrape the floor with a knife blade or fingernail. If some material scrapes up, the floor has a surface finish. If no material comes up, the floor has a penetrating finish.
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