Norman asked:

I have an old home with hardwood floors and would like to refinish them myself, any advice would be great.

Reply:

Here is the floor refinishing process:

If there are no old drum marks from the previous sanding job:
Try #40 grit sandpaper on a floor sander walking parallel to the boards. If the paper gums up, then the floors probably have wax or varnish on them. Remove it using #24 grit sandpaper, then #40 grit on a floor sander walking parallel to the boards.

If there are old drum marks the previous sanding job:
Use #40 grit sandpaper on a floor sander walking 15 degree from parallel to the boards, then #40 grit again walking parallel to the boards.

Use a flexible 4″ putty knife to press wood colored filler to fill any cracks and nail holes.

Resand with #80 grit sandpaper on a floor sander walking parallel to the boards.

The areas (mostly the 4″ along the walls) that cannot be reached by the floor sander must be sanded with a 7″ diameter floor edger. Try #80 grit edger discs on a while moving from side to side holding the edger perpendicular to the wall. If the paper gums up, use #40 grit edger discs, then #80 grit.

The area the edger cannot reach (mostly in corners and at door trim) must be hand scraped with a very sharp paint scraper. Use a metal file to frequently resharpen.

Use a 16″ diameter buffing machine (the machine that people use to wax linoleum floors) with a #120 grit screen on the whole floor.

Sweep, vacuum and tack up all dust.

If you want to stain your floors before applying finish, then paint the stain on parallel to the boards and wipe off within a minute or two. Let stain dry according to manufacturer’s instructions. There are many solvent-based where to buy prescription drugs without prescription and water-based flooring stains and finishes available. Hardwood flooring companies can provide better advice than your local lumber yard or paint store.

Apply 1st coat of finish. I use a small brush for nooks and crannies, and for most of the floor a 14″ applicator that is essentially a fixed roller that does not turn. The finish should be applied parallel to the boards as much as is possible. No matter how fast the finish dries, let it sit at least overnight before the next step.

Again use buffing machine, this time either with a maroon buffing pad or with a worn #120 grit screen.

Sweep, vacuum and tack up all dust.

Apply 2nd and 3rd coats of finish.