How do I properly refinish a hardwood floor?
Monday, January 4th, 2010 at
8:02 am
I just bought a house with beautiful hardwoods floors in the dining room and entry way. I would like to refinish them, but have no idea where to start. I am a DIY kinda person and really don’t want to pay someone else. I also have 2 dogs is there anything I can do to protect the finish once I am done? Please give me step by order drugs without prescription step instructions in detail if you can! Thanks!
Some tools that may be needed:
• Sander or sanding machine
• Sanding paper (fine, medium or coarse grit)
• Buffer machine
• Broom
• Vacuum
• Paint scraper
• Nail puller
• Nails
• Hammer
• Putty knife
• Handsaw
Please view the blog in my source for refinishing tips.
hopefully you can do this before moving in, otherwise you will need to close off the area because this is going to get dusty.
you need to remove all traces of the old finish…you will find floor sanders for rent at the local ‘rent-all’ type place.
when you think you have removed all the old finish, take a damp mop to the area, you will see if you have missed anything…it is sooo important to get ALL of the old finish gone
now comes the real hard work
some may tell you to apply your new finish with a roller but I have done a lot of floors and from try 1 I will not use a roller,,, the finish will end up bubbly.
the best way is not the easiest but it gives the best results
apply 2 or 3 coats of a good quality urethane with a brush…working the product into the wood
sand lightly beween coats for a solid finish
this is a lot of hard work, i know, but the results will last for years and you can clean anything up with a damp mop.
Refinishing a hardwood floor yourself is hard to do if you don’t have experiance.
If you do not want to change the color of the wood and if the floor itself is sound; I would suggest that you do not strip the entire floor. Instead wash the floor well then rent a sander and lightly sand the floor enough to ruff up the finish. Vacuum the floor, then with a damp cloth wipe down the floor to remove the remaining dust.
You can then get a good polyurethane. I would use high gloss. Thin the first coat with 25% paint thinner, then apply two more coats. Be sure to use 3/0 steel wool between coats. I would not use a roller to put down poly on a floor. It tends to cause air bubbles if the floor drys fast.
If the floor is so bad that you need to sand out inperfections in the wood, you should consider hiring someone to do it. Personally I rather keep the little nicks and dings; gives the floor character.
You can ruin a hardwood floor if it is sanded improperly. It is a difficult job.
Good luck and congradulations on your new house.
Sand carefully going with the grain and never ever against it. Then use Urethane varnish but only if you want to be forever re-doing it.
Otherwise the perceived wisdom is to use Hard Wax Oil. It gives a durable but forgiving finish.
Varnishes are fine until the surface is broken (which it will be) when discolouration will appear where moisture gets under the skin.