Semi-gloss finish - what does it look like?

[lorns]

Hi,
We've just had our wood floors polished - we opted for a semi-gloss finish (as opposed to the satin or full gloss).
Now, I've been in to have a look and I'm not sure whether the floors have been finished properly or whether it is what the semi-gloss actually looks like (only having experience with full gloss finishes).
With a semi-gloss (i know its not a water-based finish as the guy who did it trashed water-based finishes, and it stinks like all hell) - does the finish sit on top of the wood forming a protective layer or does it get absorbed by the wood leaving a slight sheen on the wood?
The reason I'm asking is that the finish on the boards at the moment is quite rough - though a couple of areas have a very smooth finish with a definite coating on the wood.

I know I should have found out more about this prior to shelling out hard-earned cash - but just want to make sure and set my mind at rest.

Cheers and thanks in advance!

[Fuzzie]

We have had floors done with semi-gloss water based poly before and the result was an even coat. Only difference to a full gloss finish as far as I was concerened was that the semi-gloss didn't have the glass like reflection of a full gloss, just a subtle bit of sheen - but still even all over.

BTW water based poly stinks to high heaven as well.

I considered going the tung-oil based path but was led to believe that would require long term maintenance with polish and wax and a full time maid.

[lorns]

Thanks fuzzie - to clarify there was a definite coating on the wood? And a smooth finish?

From what I'm seeing on our floors there is definitely not a coating on the wood - it looks as if the wood has absorbed whatever has been put on it and is still rough to the touch.

Ditto on the tung-oil! Only reason we went semi-gloss instead of the full was the critter factor - dog claws and high gloss don't mix too well.

[Dusty]

It sounds to me that the problem lies in the sanding and not necessarily the finish.

No matter what you decide to enhance the floor with be solvent based, water based, gloss, matt, or anything in between its how fine the sanding is that makes all the difference.

So, seeing as you mentioned that a couple of areas are rough and some are smooth it points to the sanding being inconsistent throughout.

Best bet is to get the guy back to have squizz at it. If that proves difficult, call other sanding companies and see what they think of the work.

Good luck.

[Big Shed]

I agree with Dusty, no matter what level of gloss you decide on and no matter whether you go the oil or water based route, the finish should be even throughout. If it is rough and there does not appear to be any finish on it, then the applicator did not know what he/she was doing, and certainly did not have pride in their workmanship.

As Dusty said, insufficient sanding appears to be the cause, or not using correct grades of abrasives.

Another problem could be not enough coats of the finish.

[Gumby]

Sounds to me like it's spread too thin. Min is a gloss finish but it's a complete cover all over. I can't see why satin wouldn't be the same. Mine stunk as well - couldn't go in there for 2 days..

[lorns]

Well, we've had the guy back who did the floors - and he could tell right away that it hadn't finished properly - in the light you could easily see the grain of the wood instead of a super smooth finish.

Apparently with softer wood floors (ours are pine) they can sometimes suck up the coating reducing the amount left on top of the wood. And that is exactly what happened to ours.

So as I type he's back in there recoating the whole lot so it'll come up exactly as it should.

Advice to anyone getting someone else to do your floors - if you're not sure about anything - ASK and ASK again. I was feeling a bit pedantic about the whole thing until he saw the floors today and agreed they didn't look at all right!

Thanks to all for your advice!