Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Sand, stain, and refinish solid hardwood floors to restore their original beauty without replacing them.
Tools Needed
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Instructions
Prepare the Room
Remove all furniture. Hammer down any protruding nail heads below the surface. Seal doorways with plastic to contain dust.
First Pass with Drum Sander
Start with 36-grit sandpaper on the drum sander at a 15° angle to the grain. Work in the direction of the floorboards on subsequent passes.
Sand the Edges
Use the edge sander around perimeters where the drum sander cannot reach. Sand in a circular motion, then with the grain.
Progress Through Grits
Move through 60-grit, then 80-grit, then 100-grit passes with the drum sander. Each pass removes the scratch pattern from the previous.
Vacuum and Tack
Vacuum all dust thoroughly. Wipe the entire floor with a tack cloth to remove fine particles that would ruin the finish.
Apply Stain (Optional)
Apply wood stain with a rag, working with the grain. Wipe off excess within 5 minutes. Allow to dry completely (4-8 hours minimum).
Apply Polyurethane
Apply the first coat of oil-based or water-based polyurethane with a lambswool applicator or roller. Work with the grain. Allow to dry fully.
Screen and Recoat
Lightly buff with a 120-grit screen pad to remove dust nibs. Tack cloth again, then apply 2-3 more coats with light sanding between each.
