Alright, so here’s how I tackled that sport floor buffing job over in Oakland, NJ yesterday. Woke up early ’cause these wood floors ain’t gonna buff themselves, right? Grabbed my gear – buffer machine, sanding pads, dust masks, the whole shebang. Drove over to this community center gym where the floor looked like it’d seen better days.
First things first
Cleared out all the chairs and equipment. Swept like crazy ’cause dust bunnies were having a party under there. Used this industrial vacuum I borrowed from my buddy Lou – sucked up everything from cheerio crumbs to dead bugs. Felt like an archaeologist uncovering some ancient artifact.
Getting down to business
Started with coarse-grit pads on the buffer. Pushed that noisy beast back and forth like I was plowing snow. Saw scratches disappearing like magic! But man, the dust… even with masks, we were coughing like chain-smokers. Pro tip: wear goggles unless you wanna rub sawdust outta your eyes all night.
Switched to medium grit after the first pass. The machine kept pulling left – probably needs new wheels. Had to wrestle it like a gator, sweat dripping into my shirt. Did you know buffer handles get slippery? Almost face-planted twice.
Final touches
Finished with superfine pads until the wood felt smooth as butter. Wiped everything down with damp cloths – sawdust sticks like glitter. Applied sealant with this roller I almost forgot in my truck. Watched that glossy finish appear… chef’s kiss moment.
Almost messed up near the free-throw line though. Got distracted by a squirrel doing acrobatics outside the window. Sealed right over my own boot print like a dumbass! Had to sand just that spot again while Lou laughed his head off.
Wrap-up
Took us eight hours with snack breaks for jerky sticks and Gatorade. Back’s sore today, but man that floor now shines like a lottery winner’s teeth. Some lady from the rec department came by, stomped her heels on it and grinned. Best payment right there.
Gear I used:
- 17-inch rotary buffer
- Grit pads: coarse/medium/fine
- Dust containment system (a.k.a. my busted shop-vac)
- Water-based acrylic sealant
- Broom that’s older than my truck
Next time I’m charging extra for squirrel shows. Floor buffing’s like therapy – you sweat, you swear, and everything ends up smoother than it started.
