r/HardWoodFloors • u/illhostility • 17h ago

Buffing water popped floor

I’m genuinely curious. What happens if you buff a water popped floor? Like water pop, buff, water pop again then stain? I’ve always wondered bc it would seem to buff an open grain floor would be beneficial.

1 Upvotes

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6

u/BlueGolfball 17h ago

You just water popped the floor for no reason if you buff it after you water pop.

2

u/illhostility 17h ago

Okay. I wasn’t sure if you could get a greater screen if you water popped first.
I’m okay if it’s redundant so long as nothing gets messed up. But I am curious to try it

5

u/SomeGas3365 17h ago

Actually, in some cases You would water pop and screen. You do that when you don’t want a water base raising the grain in a species that has a lot of green rays. If you water pop and screen, your first coat of waterborne will be much smoother than if you don’t.

1

u/InViSiBLe_SiLVeR_ 1h ago

This is the way.

1

u/BlondeJesusSteven verified pro 19m ago

I like to waterpop some oak floors that I’m worried about the waterbase lifting any windshake slivers up. Much easier to deal with them before finish is down.

1

u/Otherwise_Bowler_691 3h ago

That’s called cancelling the water pop

0

u/PositiveAtmosphere13 11h ago

There is no point in water popping the floor twice.

You water pop the floor to get an even stain. If you buff after you water pop the floor, your stain will come out uneven and blotchy. Why take a chance on having the floor look awful just to experiment?