Overview
Finish is a sacrificial layer. Strip & wax rebuilds it.
Floor finish takes the daily wear so the flooring underneath doesn’t have to. Over time, traffic, cleaning chemicals and grit wear that layer down, and repeated buffing and recoating can leave a build-up of yellowed, uneven, dirty finish that no amount of mopping fixes.
Stripping removes the old finish and buildup completely. Waxing, the application of new finish in multiple coats, rebuilds a uniform, protective layer. The result is a floor with a restored, consistent appearance and better protection against the wear to come.
Strip & wax is typically used on resilient floors such as VCT and some sheet vinyl. It isn’t right for every floor, which is one more reason we assess first. If a different process fits better, we’ll tell you.
What you can expect
- Professional preparation and protection of surrounding areas
- Complete removal of old finish and buildup
- A consistent finish across the floor
- Restored appearance in high-traffic areas
- Protection for the flooring underneath
- A maintenance plan to extend the life of the finish
Signs it’s time
When strip & wax makes sense
- Yellowing or discolored finish
- Black heel marks and scuffs that won’t clean off
- Cloudy, uneven or patchy gloss
- Finish that’s peeling, flaking or worn through in traffic lanes
- Layers of old buildup at edges and corners
- Routine cleaning and buffing no longer restore the look
How METIS does it
What a professional strip & wax involves.
01
Assess the floor and finish
We identify the flooring, check the condition and confirm strip & wax is the right process.
02
Prepare the space
Furniture and equipment are moved as agreed, and walls, baseboards and fixtures are protected.
03
Strip the old finish
Stripper solution is applied and given proper dwell time, then worked with floor machines and pads.
04
Detail edges and corners
Areas machines can’t reach are detailed by hand so buildup isn’t left behind.
05
Rinse and inspect
Residue is removed, the floor is rinsed and the bare floor is inspected before finish goes down.
06
Apply finish
Multiple coats are applied evenly, with drying time between coats, for a consistent result.
After the finish goes down
A restored floor is easier to keep restored.
Strip & wax is a reset, and what you do afterward determines how long it lasts. Regular cleaning, periodic burnishing and a planned schedule for future work help extend the life of the finish and keep you from repeating full restoration sooner than necessary.
What to expect on the night
- Three coats of finish applied over the stripped floor
- Work usually runs into the early hours, around midnight
- The floor is ready for normal business use the next day
- Do not mop the floor for two days while the finish cures
- Best for corridors, lobbies, classrooms, fellowship halls and clinics
Related services
Often paired with this service
Commercial Floor Care
Cleaning, restoration and ongoing maintenance planned around your flooring and traffic.
Questions
Common questions
How often should floors be stripped and waxed?
It depends on traffic, the finish in use and how the floor is maintained in between. Floors that get regular maintenance can typically go longer between full strips than floors that are only mopped. We’ll recommend an interval based on your facility.
Can you strip only the high-traffic areas?
Sometimes. Whether spot restoration blends depends on the existing finish and the space, and we’ll tell you honestly what will and won’t blend before you commit.
How soon can people walk on the floor afterward?
We normally work overnight and finish around midnight, and the floor is ready for business the next day. The one thing we ask is that it is not mopped for two days, so the finish cures properly. Timing can shift with the number of coats, temperature and humidity, and we will confirm it for your project.
How many coats of finish do you apply?
Three coats on a standard strip and wax, applied evenly with drying time between each. More or fewer can make sense depending on the floor and the traffic it takes, and we will say so during the assessment.
The floor is stained but the finish is still sound. Do we need a full strip?
Often not. A deep scrub can lift set-in soil and staining without stripping the floor back to bare tile, and it costs less. We will tell you which one your floor actually needs.
Free facility assessment
Let’s Take a Look at Your Facility.
Request a free assessment and let METIS determine the right approach for your floors and facility.
Prefer to talk? 430-264-1950