Want to talk about fun-today I have been working on an old wax floor that was installed sometime in the early 60's. So today I was asked by one of the builders that we do work for: "Well, we got an odd job that no one knows much about (long pause)… Do you know much about wax floors?" Then at dinnertime a lady asked me if we can do wax floors.
Now, what are the odds of that in one day? Can we do wax floors, please! It is still one of the best-looking finishes of all time in my mind. So today I am working on the first of three wax jobs and it is so easy; it is the best money you can make for the task. It is the clean and pre-wax prep that makes the flooring look good; the best thing you can do is vacuum the floor, then do it again, then, just for fun, make sure it is clean. The main reason for the super-clean floor is due to the 2/0 steel wool that you need to use, the wax will hold the dirt with the chance of putting in a scratch that you will not see until you get the wax on. Now how would I know that? Because it was a job to get out on one of my first wax floors.
Now if you want some of the best paste wax, you need to get the Dura Seal paste wax; it's 6 lb. of money in the can. I know that it is not done a lot up North, but down here wax floors are still strong. Here is one thing I need help with from the VOC guys: What are the VOCs on wax? There is no stink, no after-smell in the house and no mask. If I get my way, we should have a class at the NWFA convention on different types of finishes like wax.
I should have photos for you next time; I forgot the picture maker at home today...yeah, I know it is an old saying-"have your picture made"-but I grew up with 8-tracks, so just deal with it. Off track story: When I went to get my drivers license, it was in a Dodge truck with pipes and an 8-track of Mr. Cash singing, "I fell into a burning ring of fire." Somehow the guy that gave me the hands-on test did not like the truck or Ring of Fire, so my test was a fast drive around to the front of the building and right back around. He said, "Well, you can drive," and that was it. Was it the truck or the 8-track? The world will never know.
Back on track, the floors that we got done today look wonderful, the 2/0 steel wool is the best thing for wax floors. Buff the fire out of it and dang, it looks good. Now on to the only thing that makes me worry: The homeowner is 83, lives alone and moves around with a walking stick. I fear he will slip and fall, but he is all about the wax floors. He loves what we have done and said he never walks around without rubber-bottom shoes. If he walks around in his sock feet, well, let's say let me hear that old time rock and roll...
We put the install on hold until we get this one done, he is an older man and he needs his floor fixed. It started as a water-damage floor. The floor is all through the house and he needs to get stuff put back in the house. I like working for him and older folks, they are so happy when it is all done, plus-and this is the sad part-he knows that I am not going to take his money and run. This is just me, but when I do work for older folks I never ask for money up front, too many feel like they are going to get ripped off. If they do not like the work they know that the funds are still in the bank, not running away. Again, that is just me.
Now this is cool: You know where I learned how to do wax floors? The NOFMA class. So if you think you cannot learn at the schools, well, think again. It is all there if you want to know. Make sure you read the info on what is being done at each class; this way you know what to look for when you go.
OK, That is it for one night. It's just too much fun to just buff and buff and buff and buff. No stress on this one!
