The ranch remodel is almost complete…down to a few switchplates and getting paint off the floor where the HO-contracted painter got a little careless. The hand-scraped wood floor has a nice satin finish, as requested by the HO. Looks flat (the finish, not the texture) most of the time, but at the right angle there’s a bit of a shine. Now the HO is wondering if they wouldn’t be happier with a gloss finish. Got that second hand from the ranch foreman…the HO hasn’t approached me yet. The HO asked the foreman if they could oil the floor to get it to shine. I assume they are referring to some type of furniture polish, like the crap they goop all over the nice antiques. I sure hope that last invoice gets paid real soon…
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell’em “Certainly, I can!” Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Replies
If the HO asks your crew to oil it, I'd tell him no. It's not safe, the floor will be really slippery. Besides it will attract dirt and prevent future finishes from adhering, of course. In my opinion you ought to tell him that if he brings the subject up. He's trusting in your professional judgement, and it would be best if you did not leave him to his ignorance.
There are several grades of sheen, from dead matt to high gloss. Most companies make a Semi-Gloss, which is lower sheen than Gloss but shinier than Satin.
Once he adds oil to the floor, that's 'Good-bye' to any chance of re-coating without cleaning off every trace of oil.
IanDG
Ahh, the paycheck. Sometimes it's nice, sometimes it's nice knowin ya never again. This just has me thinking, with the flatteners in the finish, even recoating with a gloss version of the same thing, it's still going to look fairly dull. She shoulda gone gloss and changed her mind. Easier to buff that down. You don't win 'em all. Just ask IMERC about his pergola.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain