Hi all,
We hired a painting contractor to paint the rooms and then strip, sand and finish the floors of a house we are moving into. It's an old place (1947) on the California coast with neglected floors and a rustic open beamed ceiling that feels like a lodge but a sweet location and good for the kids.

He started applying the polyurethane Friday I believe and today we did a walk through and there is a dramatic shade difference between the area close to the baseboard and the rest of the room in the kids room. I think this is called "lap marks" where the coats were applied at different times. Another room has a large heavy cabinet they boosted off the ground with paint cans, moved and stained under and it and it has dark lap marks around it with a hint of the lighter can marks showing beside it. Also in the den there are several dark rings that look like a 5 gallon paint can was rested there.

These are just what I spotted in a five minute glance today without taking apart the whole job and freaking out before I considered the problem. Trying to remember the master looked good and the den did except for the rings. We only brought up the rings and he said it was something inherent in the prier treatment or some sh*t and said he would try to blend it in.

I don't want to be a jerk and a perfect floor isn't going to make an old house with bad windows look new but we paid for it and he came recommended from our high end neighbor.

My questions are: Does he have to tear the whole friggin' thing up and do it again? Can he spot treat the rings? Should I call in a floor guy to evaluate the problem?

The two kids rooms have the worst lap marks so I guess he could do those from scratch but they run right into the hall that's wood too.

Should I give the guy a chance to fix it, live with it or kick him out and call another floor guy?

We have movers scheduled this Friday and my wife is so anxious to get out of here she is ready to live with it. But I told her today we might have to wait another week or two before this all blows over.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Marc

IMO, first mistake was hiring a painter to sand and finish your hardwood. It is a specialty trade, and takes a unique talent. But I realize your going off recomendation.
I'm not a sand & finish guy, I'm sure they'll chime in. But I believe that edges and stains are just a few of the issues that seperate pros from wannabees.
Unfortunately, IMO, you have to give anyone a chance to make things right. Once that process is done, you'll have to decide whether to live with it, or call in a pro.

pic will help to confirm but i think the above post hit the nail.

http://www.glowfoto.com/static_image/13-171752L/3011/jpg/10/2010/img4/glowfoto
He's been working on it since last night and is a lot better here.

I'd make him buy me a woven wool area rug or two and call it even steven.

Your picture is kind of glary (is that a word ?) I'm seeing old water stains where possibly potted plants used to be . And I'm seeing blotchy patches in the finish all over as well as color streaks. My first impression is that he tinted his finish or maybe used Minwax polyshades ? If this is the case , all you can do is either buff down through the color coat or re sand completely.

In the event that he didn't do any of the above ,I'd be lost becuase I am not seeing the floor in the same way you described it. Typically, near base boards , you might see what we call a halo, where the edges of the floor are sanded too fine or are over buffed and get polished. This makes the floor have a light ring or "halo" all the way around the edges.

Lap Marks basically refers to being able to see various rows of where the finish was applied across the floor rather than seeing one uniform finish.