So, it turns out there is no written standard that I can find to give me an answer. My hardwood floor re-finisher used a new applicator for sealing and finishing a maple floor. The applicator shed enough fiber to make a coat for a sheep. I called the customer next day to let her know that we were going to buff it out and do it over. Did that, and 99% was removed. Thing is, because there were problems the first time, she now is not "happy" with the job, as she can still find fibers in the coating. Standing in the room, the floor looks great. I guess when she got down on hands and knees, and looked and ran her hand over the new surface, she still found some fibers. What is "acceptable"?

Typically if the floor looks good from a standing position, it's acceptable. It's unfortunate that the final coat created a can of worms. Now it bothers them, and their probably being unreasonable.

Most S&F guys I know...Last thing they want to use is a new applicator that's not broke in, for this reason. But most of the time their aware of shedding problems, and do what they can to limit it.

Yea, like Howard says, if you can't see it from a standing position and without it being in reflective light it's good to go. No one guarantees a piano finish. That is written in many manuals.

Course I see pictures from inspectors using reflective lighting to show problems with finishes all the time. Truth is they cannot use that.

Customer expectations, before the job starts and what is on the contract, can be the make or break for some.

And if they have sheep inside the contract should say that the finish could look sheepish. That goes for cat hair too. Probably the worst are those big thick furry cats.

Okay, thank you to those who replied. I will get into more details about customer expectations next time. I try to learn something new from every job, and I did on this one. Have a great day!