Hello all. It's been a long time since I've posted here, and boy have there been some changes. I really like the new layout and entry page!

On to my question, which I hope has an easy answer. It about time to start some maintenance around the house, and I've been putting off the transition piece from my maple hardwood to the tile in my kitchen. This is a high traffic spot, and I've noticed what appears to be ground in dirt in the grain of the wood.

This transition piece is solid maple and was site finished with a matte finish. The rest of the floor is engineered (Mirage) with a matte finish - advertised as a 10% gloss.





Is it possible to clean this up and refinish, or would it be easier to replace it?

And yes, the tile is dirty, that's on the list too.

the peice was site finished? How many coats were applied? thresholds always get more use that the rest of the floor, so I normally take them back to the shop and add a few extra coats when possible.

What type of finish was used?

It would be cheaper to remove it, sand and reapply more finish.

Yes, the piece was site finished.

Unfortunately, I have no idea how many coats, nor do I know what type of finish was used. The floor was installed by Sean Hefferan from this board, but his web site is down and I have no way of contacting him to get an idea of what products he uses. It was four years ago, so chances are that he probably doesn't remember.

Any suggestions on the brand of finish to use? Again, I'm looking for a matte finish to match the rest of the floor.

Thanks!

for mirage matte/satin floors I would use bona traffic satin, its nice and matte. dont be affraid to put a bunch of thin coats on it. Its only sold in gallons that cover 350 sq feet, so you could have a bunch of coats.

Im sure there is cheaper alternitives, at home chepo. But I dont use thier finishes, and I wouldnt recomend them.

Looks more like discolouration from washing the adjoining ceramic tile, more than a couple times over the last 4 years. Strip, sand,and re-finish. Will look like new again. I would use Basic street-shoe, super matte, but the Bona matte is equally as good, or better.

That could certainly be the cause. I'm not an installer, so I'll go read the FAQ on refinishing, but a few questions:

Is it possible to refinish this transition piece in place, or is it better to remove it?

Can you provide the name of a good stripping compound?

What grit should I use to start and finish the sanding process?

I just looked up both the Bona and the Basic. That stuff is expensive!

If the piece is not glued into place then removing it would be better than trying to avoid hitting the hardwood or the ceramic with the sanding process.
I would cut the old finish off with 50 or 60 grit, followed by 80 grit to smooth the surface, then a final sanding with 100 grit to prepare the threshold for the new finish. Unless this a long threhold, I would just use a sanding block and do it by hand.
Put as many coats on as you want, should be able to put three a day on about 4 hours apart. (you wouldnt try that with a whole floor though).

Thanks! The transition piece is only about four feet long.

It would be cheaper to leave it right where it is and just resand and finish it..