Dear Ann
It's too bad I couldn't get the photos, you might try again in a separate email if it's not too much trouble. Anyway, over dark or darkly stained floor I always use an oil modified polyurethane. This finish stays clear and only ambers a bit over many years. The amber color doesn't interfere with the dark wood or dark stain. So, the floors ages to that nice lustrous finish you refer to.
But the probable reason why they used a water based coating over the Wenge, is that this wood (along with other tropical woods) sometimes contain resins which interfere with the drying of oil based finishes. The water based finish in my opinion has far too much of a pale bluish tone to it. You can see this if you coat a piece of glass with this finish. Over time water base finishes can turn even more opaque when exposed to strong sunlight. it's a very subtle change, but once pointed out it's noticeable. Most water based finish manufactures suggest their finish will last about 10 years. It's this "whitening" that is the limiting factor. There is a chemical cause for this, but that a complex discussion.
So in any case, water based finishes will never deepen and darken in color or tone, as you wish. Sorry, I hate to tell you that now. And paste wax will never change the tone of the finish either. That's why I suggested the Bona Kemi refresher kit. It's made to top dress the water based finish. Did you click on this link and have a look at this product ? Again it has the distinct advantage of allowing the floor to be recoated, which is very important.
I reiterate; that you should do two touch up coats only on the scratches. I don't think that the scratches have gone through to the stain. Use a small brush and just touch up the deep ones. Have a pro do this, they know how to prep the floor so that the finish will stick. The just have them do a final prep (they can use a special chemical prep agent, instead of dry scuff sanding the finish) and then they only need to apply ONE coat of the proper water based finish to the floor.
As to the shoes off or on, it's up to you, but adding outside grit to the floor will dull any finish in no time. A billion Asians can't be wrong, and they think our custom of tracking dirt and grit onto our lovely floors is weird. I agree. Take your choice, but expect a lot more work to keep your floors looking good, when you choose not to give up your affair with wearing hard shoes indoors.
As always your Most humble servant, Joseph, the Wood Floor Doctor.
