We just got our floors refinished and have two issues: swirls that are very obvious under the can lights and bubbles that have not gone down in 4 days. Will the floor have to be stripped back to the wood to get rid of both issues. We did not notice the bubbles until the final finish, but inspection was difficult while they were doing the work. We are trying to decide what to tell the contractor what we want done.

Conditions during the refinishing--high humidity outdoors, but the AC unit was working well and the house was comfortable. We did not keep any windows or doors open.

The defects shouldnt be glaring from a standing positions under normal light. Can lights are notorius for showing sanding marks and buffer swirls. If the swirls are only apparent under the batch of can lights then recoating may help depends if they are in the wood or the final coat of finish. tELL your contractor to take a look at the issue and see if he feels its aceptable, he is the one who should know after all that is his job.

Do you have any pics?

Kevin is right about reflective lighting and the standing position.
A lot of time consumers get down on the floor with a magnifying glass and inspectors take close-up pictures with digital cameras inches away from the problem at hand with a flash. This is not allowed and a piano/table top finish is not what your buying.
It's in the NWFA inspectors book and other articles as well.

Lol, I have had "Susie" call me in to look at a finish problem, and on arrival she gets down on her knees armed with a trouble light, and says to me, I know you cant see the problem from there but if you get down here and look at the floor from this angle.........
At this point, if it was one of our jobs, I give her a "goodwill" cleaning kit and wish her a pleasant day. If it was someone elses work, I just bid her "good-day" and suggest she call her finisher and compliment him on a fine job.