A composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting organic substrates.