Buff and Coat

Buff and coat is a commonly used term for the same process as a screen and recoat. A floor buffer or orbital machine fitted with a mild abrasive pad (rather than a screen) scuffs the existing finish to create adhesion, then a new finish coat is applied.

The terms buff and coat, screen and recoat, and clean and recoat are often used interchangeably by homeowners and contractors, though there are subtle differences in the abrasive method used. In all cases, the result is a fresh finish layer applied without sanding to bare wood.

This process is appropriate for floors where the existing finish is structurally sound but has lost its luster or developed light surface wear. It is faster, less expensive, and far less disruptive than full refinishing—no dust, no toxic fumes, and most projects complete in one day.