It is most important to determine if the floor has been waxed before applying wax. This may be not as easy as it my seem.

Take a piece of extra fine steel wool and wet it slightly with water. Rub it on various areas that you think may have been waxed. Paste wax will show up as a light grey smudge on the steel wool. Paste wax can also be removed with a rag and mineral spirits, and will show up on the rag as a dirty film.

We do recommend that you contact us to inspect your floors to determine what process should be used.

If you find that the floors have been waxed with a paste wax, you can continue to use paste wax to give the surface a satin shine. Paste wax is solvent based so you won't be harming the finish.. Just be sure to clean the finish with a mild solvent like odorless mineral spirits instead of water, so that the wood is not further damaged.

Once you have made sure your hardwood floors have been finished using wax the following can be used as a guide for small repairs on hardwood waxed floors.

Water Stains
Rub the spot with No. 2 steel wood and re-wax. For more serious water stains, lightly sand with fine sandpaper, clean the spot with No. 1 or 00 steel wool and mineral spirits or floor cleaner then refinish and wax.

Cigarette Burns
If not severe, the burn can be removed by rubbing with steel wool moistened with soap and water.

Heel and Caster Marks
Rub vigorously with fine steel wool and floor cleaner. Wipe dry and polish.

Ink Stains and Other Dark Spots
Use No. 2 steel wool and floor cleaner to clean the spot and surrounding area. Thoroughly wash the affected area. If the spot remains, sand with fine sandpaper, re-wax and polish. Stubborn stains may require that you replace the affected area.

Chewing Gum and Wax Deposits
Ice until the deposit is brittle and crumbles off. Pour floor cleaner around the stain so the fluid soaks under and loosens it.

Alcohol Spots
Rub the spot with liquid or paste wax.