Refinishing a hardwood floor - tips
| Sanding | |||||
|
Proper sanding levels the floor and brings back the grain, one of the desirable attributes of a hardwood floor. Several passes with the sanding tools will be required to achieve a smooth finish. Provide ventilation while sanding and staining. An open window with a fan is a good idea, especially since the door is sealed. The drum sander is the first tool you′ll use. It’s not a part of most homeowners’ tool collections, but is readily available as a rental tool. If you′ve never used a drum sander, you may be in for some surprises. It’s large and rather noisy. It’s also very efficient. Drum sanders remove a lot of material very quickly. One of the most common mishaps of do-it-yourself floor refinishing is gouging the wood with the sander. A few seconds is all it takes to do the damage. Here are a few tips for using a drum sander:
You are removing dirt and old stain and creating a new level surface, so choose the initial sandpaper accordingly. Remember the smaller the grit number, the rougher the sandpaper and the more material it will remove. Start with a coarse grit and move to finer grits as the floor begins to get smoother with each sanding.Sanding grit estimates vary according to the condition of your floor. In general, begin with a 20 to 60 grit and end with 120. You may choose to skip the 20 grit pass if the floor is relatively smooth. Always use the same grit progression on all areas, whether drum, edge or hand sanding.
Remember to clean the floor thoroughly after each sanding grit change.
|
|||||
| Staining |
|
You can apply a clear sealer to your “new” floor or apply a stain. You can choose between a water-or oil-based product. Follow the directions on the sealer or stain you select — each product will have its own instructions. Like paint, a stain often looks different at the store than it does in your home, so try to test a small area before doing the whole floor. Some stains require more than one coat with a sanding between. Check the label for the drying time. It’s important not to begin moving furniture back in before the floor is completely dry. After the floor is dry, reinstall the shoe moulding. To get the best finish, buff the floor after staining or sealing. |
| Removing Other Flooring |
|
If you′ve decided it’s time to peel back the shag carpet and enjoy the wood floor underneath, remember a few important things:
|









