Well, we finally heard back from the seller and were told that he put "linseed oil" on the floors, and that there's "more in the garage". He said you're supposed to rub it in by hand, wipe it off, and then put a fan on it. He also said he didn't realize the floors were sticky. Is this a normal procedure for owning hardwood floors? I dont know the first thing about these finishes.

I'm going back to the house this afternoon to see how the floors have fared after using the buffer. Will let you know how they turned out..

Jill

Jill:
I'm REALLY glad it worked for you, because . . . I WAS JUST GUESSING AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!! he, he

Actually, if it NOW works, . . . don't fix it! Wait several days and re-evaluate.

Take care.
Charlie

Jill:
It makes WHY the mineral spirits worked . . . .mineral spirits is the solvent used in tung/linseed oil finishes. IF you had a good polyurethane, linseed oil can do NOTHING to enhance that kind of finish. There are no resins to harden in linseed oil. It just made the poly "oily".
SIDEBAR: I remember an old recipe for primitive antique furniture; turpentine, linseed oil and vinegar. Soaked right in and the oils evaporated in about a year so that you had to "re-polish" with this solution every year. No build, no protection! Just purty!

Really hope it worked out for you.
Charlie

Whoops! It makes SENSE why . . .