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FAQ Troubleshooting

Oil Finish

Dried oil still feels tacky?

There is too much oil on the surface. Buff the surface again with a white pad to remove the excess oil.

How do I remove paint overspray and droplets?

If it is a Prefinished floor, contact the the manufacturer.

For site finished surfaces, here are a few options to try with caution. Results vary.

1. Use a plastic scraper to gently remove paint.

2. Polish the floor with a white pad and WOCA Oil Refreshing Soap (diluted 3 ounces per 1 gallon of water). Using a floor buffer is more effective.

For a larger paint spill

3. Use acetone with caution and be conservative with it. Acetone will remove the paint, but will also remove the finish. The treated surface will need another application of the original finishing oil to restore the finish, color and sheen.

My floor is covered in construction dust, what do I clean it with?

If it is a Prefinished floor, contact the the manufacturer.

For site finished surfaces, here are a few options to try with caution. Results vary.

Do not wet or damp mop at first. Water and construction dust can make a paste in the grain or wire brushing that could be costly and laborious to remove.

Option 1. Take a medium to firm natural fiber brush and gently scrub the surface to loosen the dust and then vacuum. Repeat until all dust is removed.  Then damp mop the floor with WOCA Natural Soap or Oil Refreshing Soap.

Option 2. Vacuum floor. Dilute 3 ounces to 1 gallon of water of Intensive Wood Cleaner and mop with a cotton string mop that you can wring. Change out the dirty mop water as you go. Once it is clean, wait at least 6 hours and then you have Method A or B to restore the floor.

A. Apply Oil Refreshing Soap to the floor (dilute 6 ounces to 1 gallon of water) and damp mop or wet buff with a white floor pad and floor polisher.

B. Apply another coat of WOCA Oil.

Option 3. The most intensive remedy. Vacuum floor. Wet buff/polish the floor with a white or red floor pad and the Intensive Wood Cleaner solution. Have a helper follow and squeegee/wipe up the dirty slurry that buffing creates. Or use a wood floor scrubber (a cleaning machine specifically designed to clean wood floors). Once floor is clean, wait at least 12 hours and then apply a coat of WOCA Oil to restore the finish.

There are footprints and some scuff marks showing after the floor was finished. How do I fix?

Polish floor with a white floor pad to remove footprints and scuffs.

The sheen is too dull. How can I make it look shiny?

All WOCA Oils have a matte sheen. To achieve a satin sheen polish in the 2nd coat with patina discs or apply Maintenance Gel as the 2nd coat.

How do I remove glue from the floor?

If it is a Prefinished floor, contact the the manufacturer.

For site finished surfaces, here are a few options to try with caution. Results vary.

1. Use a plastic scraper to gently remove glue.

2. Use a Xyron adhesive eraser. They are available online and in craft stores.

For large clean ups
3. Use acetone with caution and be conservative with it. Acetone will remove the glue, but will also remove the finish. The treated surface will need another application of the original finishing oil to restore the finish, color and sheen.

Painters tape left marks. How do I repair?

If it is a Prefinished floor, contact the the manufacturer.

For site finished surfaces, here are a few options to try with caution. Results vary.

If there is adhesive left from the tape, gently use a plastic scraper or a Xyron adhesive eraser. Once all tape adhsive is removed, damp mop floor with Natural Soap or Oil Refreshing Soap.

If the tape pulled the color and/or finish, re-oil the affected areas or entire floor with WOCA Oil.

How do I get pet urine stains out?

Success removing pet stains varies depending on many factors. Try cleaning the affected area with Natural Soap first. Repeated cleaning with the Natural Soap may help to fade the stain with time.

WOCA Spot Remover could be successful, depending on the severity of the stain. Be sure to follow it with touch up oil to restore the oil finish.

If there is a mild black stain from pet urine, some customers have had success with treating it with Tannin Spot Neutralizer.

There are no guarantees with completely removing pet stains. The last resort would be to replace the soiled floor boards.

Floor was cleaned with the undiluted Soap. It's a sticky mess. How do I fix it?

Damp mop with plain water and rinse the mop clean with every pass on the floor until the floor is clean again.

I'm getting oil bleedback. How do I make it stop?

Towel buff or polish off with a white pad until it stops.

My floor is sticky after I mop with the Natural Soap?

You are mopping too frequently or the soap dilution is not enough.

Damp mop with plain water to remove the sticky feeling from the floor.

Lyes

Why does the lye looks uneven and splotchy after applying finish?

Not enough of the pigment from the lye was polished off. Polish the surface again with a red pad to get the lye pigment to move around and into the grain.

After applying the lye, my wood looks green.

Antique Lye and Softwood Lye can sometimes cause temporary green hue on the wood surface. This is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs between the lye and the wood fibers. The green color will eventually fade away on its own, usually within 90 days.

if the wood turns green, it is still safe to apply a WOCA Oil finish to it. The oil will not interfere with the lye reaction process.

Water Based Finish

I have scratches and scuff marks, how do I repair?

We highly recommend you contact a NWFA flooring professional to do the repair.

When it comes to repairing scratches on a Water Based finish, there are no quick fixes.

Typically, the affected areas are taped off, lightly sanded, and finish is applied

For scuff and heel marks, we recommend cleaning with WOCA Home Hardwood Cleaner

Why is the finish peeling?

There are several factors that could cause peeling.

  • Incompatible products.
  • Improper sanding between coats
  • Contaminants
  • Stain or Sealer not dried properly
Why is my finish sheen uneven and streaky?
  • Improper mixing of product prior to application
  • Not enough finish was applied
  • Product is old or expired
  • Product was in extreme climate conditions, freezing or excess heat.
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