With its glossy finish and its pleasant perfume, the waxed parquet has the natural charm of old -fashioned patinas. Waxing its parquet allows you to enhance it, but also to feed it and protect it. Here’s how to do it.
Praised by our grandmothers, the wax is a natural product that diffuses a pleasant perfume in the house. Ideal for highlighting the aesthetics of wood, it also allows feed it in depth, to protect it from stains or discoloration And why not tint it. Less resistant than a varnish, this finish will be more sensitive to wear and tear but offers a single patina. Waxing a parquet is a simple operation to perform if the necessary time is devoted to it.
Liquid wax or solid wax? The first is a mixture of wax and solvents and applies using a flexible brush. Faster to spread, it is better suited to the treatment of supermarkets such as floors. The second is made up of natural waxes, it is melted in a double boiler and applies with a linen. Solid wax is rather used on furniture. One can, one as the other, choose it neutral or slightly tinted. Note: the wax not being water resistant, this finish is not suitable for damp rooms such as the kitchen or the bathroom.
The wax applies to a perfectly clean and dry parquet, preferably on a gross base. If it is already painted, varnished or oiled, it is advisable to sand white To eliminate the material and guarantee a uniform finish. The sanding is carried out using a three -step sander, with a first grain of 50 or 60, a second of 80 and a last pass of 120. Also think of fill any holes or cracks With wooden dough and a spatula. Then you have to dust Passing the vacuum cleaner and possibly a damp mop.
On an already waxed parquet, it is also better to remove the old layer of wax. There are “decision -making” products which make it possible to put the wood to naked as well as to a depth. Apply the product using a cloth and wipe with a sponge.
This step offers better protection of the prosecution. The hard bottom acts here as a underlay : it fills the pores of wood by forming like a film on the surface, thus preventing liquids from impregnating the fibers and therefore staining the parquet. Pour the product directly on the parquet and spread it evenly using a flexible brush. Leave to dry for about 24 hours before applying the wax.
Always start from the bottom of the room to go to the exit, so as not to trample on the fresh wax. Apply the wax in thin layers using a wide and flexible brush brush (called spalter) by proceeding by zones. You can also use a cloth but the operation will take more time. Leave to dry for a few hours before applying a new layer of wax. Up to three passages may be necessary for optimal results.
This is what gives him his brilliant. Once the wax is perfectly dry (it should no longer be sticky or sticky to the touch), lust the prosecution usinga woolen cloth or sheepskin by performing circular movements. Wait a few additional days before reinvesting the part (limit trampling for at least 48 hours) and replace the furniture without dragging them to the ground so as not to scratch the parquet floor.
A waxed prosecution requires relatively little maintenance. To avoid marking the wood, clean spots and other splashes immediately with a damp sponge. Wax being a permeable material, it is better to clean it dry (water could have it blanch). Vacuum to eliminate dust. For your parquet floor to remain protected and keeps its brightness, reappear a layer of wax at least once a year.
Thanks to Fanny Michel, manager consulting and training service V33, for his advice.
