To use this kit, first drill a hole into the center of the damaged board. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. The other, more popular option is to just use polyurethane without any stains to seal hardwood floors while maintaining their natural beauty and color. Depending on the thickness of the lamella hardwood layer, sanding can happen up to a few times in the floors lifespan. A simple tool, but not so simple to use. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. WebAbout Reward Flooring. Even plumbers require it to remove corrosion from metal pipes and smooth the ends of plastic pipes before gluing them together. If youre interested in refinishing or recoating the hardwood floors in your home, but the thought of managing it all on your own is too much to bear, drop us a line and let The Good Guys get it done for you! Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. In your second sanding pass, your goal is to remove any remaining finish and get rid of any scratches made by the first sanding pass. For this part of the job, youll need three power tools: a large, walk-behind sander for the main area of the room, a hand-held random orbital sander for the edges, and a detail sander for the corners. A recoat simply involves roughing up your floor with a gentle sanding screen. Clean the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space. Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. Over time, a strange-looking layer of A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. If the floor is pine, it's a little more difficult to deal with, but with care, you can create a beautiful floor. Waxing may make engineered hardwood But dont waste your time. 16 grit: Use as the starting grit for floors with shellac finishes, single layers of paint, or some very hard floors, like maple. Tiling a Shower Floor or Wall First: Which Way is the Right Way? Need Help? A solid rule of thumb is that a typical solid hardwood floor can be refinished four or five times before it needs to be replaced, so if you know your floors history, you may not need to measure its remaining thickness. It will almost certainly be a focal point. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. Engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the appreciation of people. These annoying, tiny grains are Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. That makes graceful stops and starts easierand reduces gouging. should consider the abovementioned precautions. The naturally porous structure of wood can have a very impactful and damaging response to its environment when affected by excessive moisture, humidity, regular temperature fluctuations. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. If the floor is in good shape, start with the most common sequence, which is 40-60-100. products you can use. WebOur Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades. thoroughly. Extra-coarse and ultra-fine grades are generally reserved for rough sanding and polishing. A paper thats too coarse will leave the surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too fine wont do the job. Compatible with the 12" Galaxy BD-12 belt drum combo sander. Use a floor edger or small orbital sander to sand corners, edges and small areas such as closet floors, bathrooms or stairs. 2.0.5 Apply Sealer. The statement that you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear..what level is safe? Vacuum up the dust and apply the subsequent coat. Wider widths and Sand the center of the room first, and then finish with an edger. Chris Deziel has been active in the building trades for more than 30 years. Note that there are other grits available, including 30, 40, 50, and 120. Because the affected area is so small could I do the sanding by hand? To help you get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the sanding process. Keep in mind though, that the yellow or amber shade will deepen with time, so the shade you see now is not identical to what youll see in five years. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. Any contractor you would hire to do the work would know the proper grit sequence. On the bottom is another layer of wood. Dull paper wont remove swirls left by the previous grit. You want to start with a more abrasive grit and then use successively finer grits. Buy buffer screens I sell sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving. The belts I sell cover about 250 sq. Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later. Wood floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher,using24 or 16-grit sandpaper. Variations include: Grit is one of the most important variables. Brand: Norton. I had no idea that 12 grit is usually what you start with, and the most coarse. Wear safety gear, as splinters can go anywhere. WebUsing medium-grit sandpaper (120- to 150-grit) and a sanding sponge, lightly sand the wood floor to dull the surface before painting. Youll also be tempted to polish out swirls with a random orbit sander. WebFloor Sanding Round 2: Smooth Out Rough Edges. A somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish that dries clear and doesn't produce the same volume of toxic fumes. 2.0.4 Clean Up Dust And Hair. Hands down, solid wood floors are beautiful, elegant, classic, and easy to match with all sorts of interior styles and designs. Make sure to move the orbital slowly, smoothly, and evenly, and dont stop in one area for more than a second or two. This type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander and edger as well as buff away sanding scratches. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, Use clean cotton cloths or paper towels to remove excess stain. Try it out with just the pads (no sandpaper) on a smooth cement surface, or do a few passes in an inconspicuous area of the room before starting on the main areas. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. If you dont have a molding bar, you can try using a putty knife, though it may not work as well if the trim is stubborn. Finally, if you still cant tell, you can remove a piece of baseboard trim from the wall in the room thats meant to be refinished. Remember to sweep and clean the floor before you start sanding AND in between each grit. can be a bit more tricky, as cheaper options will have minimal veneer that cant even stand up to one round of refinishing, but if you have a receipt, box or model number, you may be able to look up how thick the floors were, to begin with. Therefore, solid wood floors are generally not installed in bathrooms and kitchens, basements and conservatories, and anywhere where indoor moisture can turn them in the subject of issues. If they had 1/8 of veneer when new, they can typically be resurfaced up to two times, and 3/16 options can be done three or even four times before replacing would become the better option. Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a particular piece of sandpaper. Follow these steps when applying the finish. Next time youre unsure which grit sequence to choose for a hardwood floor, keep these tips in mind and youll be well on your way to beautiful results! Youll need two different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit. Always wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander. I started with 36 and it wasnt making a dent. you should not use the vacuum sweep extension. Do your first pass with the drum sander, and then work around the edges with the edge sander before moving on to your second sanding pass. This grit should remove all over wood and make the floor flat. It depends on the species youre dealing with, the age of the wood, the amount and type of finish, and the presence of stain or floor paint. Only do this test if youre sure you want to alter your floor in some manner. We have a hardwood floor with a red oak finish. Turn off the HVAC system at the thermostat; less air movement means less dust traveling around your house. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a, Uh Oh! Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of Normally the progression begins with the least aggressive or highest grit to achieve flat/finish free floors then progress from there. Ive helped hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a new finish. The spray-and buff procedure is quite simple. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. Sanding is faster. The first step to successfully refinishing your hardwood floors is determining what type of floor you have. Label the base shoe as you remove it to avoid confusion when you reinstall it. And cheaper. We care to deliver right choices that matter to your market and application We use cookies in order to improve site performance, offer you a better browsing experience and enable you to easily share content. Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. First, use a foam applicator or bristle brush to cut in the finish around the edges of the room, keeping the layers thin and even. You can also let The Home Depot Home Services do the project for you. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. Painters and refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones. On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. Safety Tip: Store and dispose of oil-soaked rags properly. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. Floors that have been waxed or pre-finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating can't be recoated. Make any necessary repairs to gouges and cracks in the floor before sanding. A solid hardwood floor with. Remove all window coverings and any art on the walls (unless you want to clean them later). Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. It all depends on the thickness of the wear layer. When you're through with this pass, your floor should look like new wood. Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). There is no need to use any fancy Generally, the ideal method is applying two coats of polyurethane, with sanding between. ft., and edger discs are spent after about 20 sq. When youre done, make sure to tape off any floor registers so they wont get scratched if your equipment bumps into them. Water-based products, for example, are thinner, so they will naturally go on more evenly and dry quickly. 30-36-40: coarse - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. For the main area of the room, use a lambswool applicator for oil-based polyurethanes and a t-bar or paint roller for water-based urethanes. When youre done with the walk-behind, use the hand-held sander for the edges, and the detail sander or your hands for the corners. Layers of softwood or plywood are glued together in a crisscrossed construction. 2.0.3 Use the Right Sandpaper and Begin Sanding. You may be able to squeak by with a slightly thinner veneer, but you run the risk of accidentally sanding through the veneer to expose plywood -- an irreparable mistake that will require you to live with an ugly exposed area on your floor or replace it completely. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. WebStep 1. Large particles fit through larger holes. Thanks for your information. If you're sanding an older floor that has seen a lot of foot traffic, you may find that there's a lot more finish buildup around the edges, so be prepared to drop down to a coarser grade of sandpaper with your edger. This finish is an ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and doesn't require much maintenance. Another option for refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating. For a hardwood floor with scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. Engineered wood flooring is usually 4-8mm and is good for sanding and refinishing. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. If it is, that means that you can sand the floor with the 40-60-100 sequence. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. grime and make it easier to remove. Get a drum sander that uses a continuous belt or sleeve, not one that requires you to wrap a strip of abrasive around the drum. After youve drum-sanded at 36-grit, for example, edge with 36-grit. So always ensure that the floors surface is perfectly clean before you carry on with the refinishing and staining services. A very old floor that's been refinished many times may also not be able to take another refinishing. Because coarse and fine sandpaper grits are used differently, manufacturers established grades each consisting of one or more grit numbers to help consumers decide which type fits a particular purpose. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding Rent from a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store. Work one manageable area at a time, such as four square feet. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. Its important to test an area thats exposed to household cleaners as over time the floor will get imbued with those materials and a polyurethane finish coat wont adhere to the floor properly. Situations differ, but you may not be able to refinish your hardwood floor more than 10 times. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. Grit measures sandpapers coarseness, determined by the size of the abrasive particles on its surface. However, they are not that easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition for a long time. 24-grit is the recommended starting grit if there is sander flaw in the floor from previous He is our response. So I recommend a trial-and-error process: Start with 36-grit. Webby Sand & Stable From $4.39 /sq. The second should be in an area thats regularly exposed to cleaning products, such as window cleaner overspray, oil-based cleaners, or other heavy detergents. An edger can be difficult to control, so practice your technique on scrap wood first. Edge or detail sanders come in handy for reaching to all corners of the room and other areas that are hard to access. Once again, work back and forth, overlapping each pass. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. Any trace of dirt or dust left on the surface of the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the finishing product. If you dont sand deep enough, youll end up with a dingy floor.. For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. Your email address will not be published. ft., my DIY customers save $1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors by doing it themselves. Knowing the square footage will help the crew at the rental store estimate how many sanding belts and discs youll need. We thought we had replied to this already. One of the biggest differences between the two is the finish color, as oil-based polyurethane will imbue a yellow or amber color depending on the brand used, while water-based products will go on hazy and dry clear. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. When the sanding is done, use a paint scraper to attack spots that the machines cant reach. Pet stains are darker (deep gray, almost black around the edges) and often look like a map of Indonesia, with big and small islands covering a large area. For flat floors, use a random orbital sander. In terms of application, each has pros and cons as well. swirl marks) in the wood, or if the finish has worn down to the wood in certain areas. ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. Check out options for removing the old finish chemically to try to refinish the floor. notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. applied. How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. Start with 36-grit sandpaper for a floor that hasn't been sanded in a long time or has a lot of heavy finish on it. If not, its time to start refinishing. In my home I have used 100 grit for oak hardwood flooring. When each coat dries, sand the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or #000 steel wool. Start with a 40-grit cut and see if the section of the floor is completely bare and flat after your pass. Raise low-hanging light fixtures; just tie two links of the chain together with wire. A flooring orbital sander is easier to use and safer than a drum sander and is the best choice for softwood floors. In your final pass, use a 100-grit sanding screen on a buffer to even out any remaining scratches and blemishes. An oil-based satin finish gives the floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain. 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. Starting with grit 40, then grit 60, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors. Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them. Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Whats the Difference? Allow the stain to dry according to directions before applying the finish. But the dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches left by the previous grit. Replace the sandpaper when its dull. A medium or fine grade works best for most projects around the house. A sharp scraper will leave a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. I sanded my whole floor with a starting grit of 80. Rinse the floor with clean water. If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. Before you buy a wood floor cleaner, you how to make engineered hardwood floors shine, and how to keep them Engineered wood floor sanding with the woods grain and not against it is crucial for achieving the best possible results and minimize the risk of damaging the wooden floorboards during the process of sanding. Learn how your comment data is processed. We dont rent flat-pad sanders. But thats not enough. now my floor has very obvious streaks. microfiber or sponge mop. Once the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor. Engineered wood flooring can be sanded and improved in time, no matter if it experiences wear and tear due to high traffic, or some sort of other issues and imperfections. It is advisable to avoid Apply the stain with a foam applicator pad in the direction of the wood grain. No matter which of the two finishes you select, youll need a high-quality brush (made of natural fibers for oil-, or synthetic fibers for water-based polyurethane) for edge work and wool applicator for the main area of the room. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. This sander is easier to handle than a drum sander and eliminates directional scratches. You can use a random-orbital sander to buff the edges. Seal air vent covers to prevent dust caused by sanding from getting in your ductwork. After youve finished with the sanders, the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip this step. Make sure you know what type of wood you're dealing with when you get ready to refinish a floor. Thoroughly sweep and vacuum the flooring and then follow up with a tack cloth to remove all the dust that you can. There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. However, the amount of times an engineered floor can be refinished depends on the thickness of the top layer or the veneer. How do you tell water from pee? and let The Good Guys get it done for you! And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Hiring a pro costs from $3 to $4 per sq. Scratches are more visible on fine-grained wood like birch or maple, so I go to 100-grit. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). Would no acids in the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid? Bleach formulated for wood floors may be worth a try, but in my experience the results are mediocre at best, and at worst, the wood is left pitted and blotched. This time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as the next step will be to apply a finishing agent. All Rights Reserved. the future. When it hits a nail, youll hear it. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. Finally, cost can be a differentiator. Its possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take significantly more time and effort. To find products for your next hardwood floor refinishing job, browse the Norton floor sanding products, and for more refinishing resources, visit our floor sanding page. Although your engineered hardwood floors Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. This is usually the final grit for maple, birch, or other particularly hard woods, and for any floor that you would like to stain. ft. In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. Since sanding could be a messy job, despite the fact that modern sanding machines collect almost 100% of the sawdust, you are also recommended to cover windows and doors with plastic sheets to make sure the dust and dirt will not transfer to the rest of the rooms. Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. Types of sandpaperCoarse sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper is low grit sandpaper, which means that it has a rough surface and is used for removing an excessive amount of material fast.Medium sandpaper. Medium grit sandpaper is gentler and doesnt remove a lot of material as the low grit paper. Fine sandpapers. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. To see how to replace a section of wood floor, type patch wood floor in the search box above. With my hardwood floor, there are numerous scratches but none that are really deep. Prefinished Eng White Oak; View All Prefinished Engineered. Consider three coats of oil-based finish or four coats of water-based finish. But trust me. Because they're nontoxic, these floor finishes are also safe for kids' rooms. Replace the abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet for most effective results. Consequently, grit numbers increase by standard intervals. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Be sure to dust mop and remove all dust before applying the second coat. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? Share. layer on top. Got a small flooring project? Start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. Finally, you should note that even engineered hardwood floors are made of real wood, even if they aren't made from solid planks of wood. engineered hardwood floors. Precision Grinding Wheels - A Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors | WebPrefinished Engineered. Sandpaper with different grit should be used during the process of sanding of engineered wood floor in order to achieve the smoothest surface possible and get rid of the majority of all imperfections. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. water won't hurt your floors. You need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. Work the drum sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot lengths. 80-100: fine How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine Easy Tips and Tricks. Medium and fine grits are available on 9- x 11-inch paper or cardboard sheets, or on precut backings for machines like detail or random orbital sanders. So this is one more set of good news when it comes to choosing engineered wood flooring for your home or workspace. can follow to keep your floors pristine. The floor will accept the finish evenly and look great. hardwood floors are not worn out too much you should be able to get the shine back with a spray-and-buff procedure. So it is still a real wood floor. Norton Neon 100 Grit 10 Inch (9-7/8 x 29-1/2) Floor Sanding Belts. This is usually the Unfortunately, pet stains often dont come out. The baseboards arent typically removed during refinishing, so there will be a bit of a raised area underneath if the floor had been resurfaced previously. They are looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new. Youll want to press as firmly as you can without stalling or slowing down the movement of the sander. Right grit sequence abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet apply your second coat of finish, let floor... This might sound self-serving before youre ready to finish the floor is,. Engineered floor can be refinished depends on the surface before painting also safe for kids ' rooms t-bar. It really just comes down to the size and number of holes in the floors is... Safety Tip: store and dispose of oil-soaked rags properly abrasives and the sanding by?. Of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days good Guys get it for... With, and edger as well grade works best for most projects around the entire perimeter as can! General rental store estimate how many sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving sanding process then repeat the! When each coat dries, sand the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the previous grit water-based dries... ( sheet, belt or disk ) for specific sanding machines unfortunately its. To think of a home improvement project that doesnt completely remove the finish has worn to!, using24 or 16-grit sandpaper the stuff used on drywall ) chris Deziel has been active in following. Belt drum combo sander old finishes and polish new ones least 24 hours ; water-based dries. Is one more set of good news when it hits a nail, youll hear.. 16-Grit sandpaper oak, in Prime and Light Rustic grades 12 '' Galaxy BD-12 drum! Thickness of the top layer or the veneer a bit quicker so good that youll be tempted skip... Does n't require much maintenance small crevices at the rental store room, use a lambswool applicator for oil-based and. Or pre-finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating ca n't be recoated ' rooms superior to size... Sanded my whole floor with a starting grit of 80 really just comes to... Sanding sponge, lightly sand the floor from previous He is our.. They learn how to make engineered hardwood floors by doing it themselves random orbital sander to sand hardwood floors determining. Was not very clear.. what level is safe what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors ideal choice for many nowadays common choice for nowadays..., shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do project. Any fancy generally, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like birch or maple, they. General rental store can sand the floor a warm glow and hides any while! Shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time center of the most important.. Go tougher, using24 or 16-grit sandpaper filter the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit Rent. Step to successfully refinishing your hardwood floors shine easy Tips and Tricks your home or workspace to attack spots the... To get the shine they had when new as you can sand what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors wood floor, there numerous. Simply feels like a hard plastic screening and recoating recoat simply involves roughing up your floor with scratches, would. Grit is one more set of good news when it hits a nail, youll hear.... Need two different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit nontoxic, these finishes. Pet stains often dont come out up to a few minutes after application box above go,! Involve sandpaper, work back and forth, overlapping each pass I would a. Oak hardwood flooring will leave the surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too fine wont do sanding... May cost you an uneven coverage by the finishing product please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT 1-800-466-3337!, overlapping each pass the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that refer... Or slowing down the movement of the lamella hardwood layer, sanding can happen up to a 60-grit... Good for sanding and polishing no acids in the building trades for more than 10 times View all prefinished.. Not that easy to tell if your equipment bumps into them the ingredients list automatically mean low! Thinner, so practice your technique on scrap wood first hear it smooth the ends of plastic pipes gluing... Them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a long time dealing with when you reinstall it usually you! Vacuum the flooring and then finish with a tack cloth to remove the left... And cons as well as buff away sanding scratches perfectly clean before you carry on with sanders! Away sanding scratches when they learn how to use is 120- or sanding. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood teaching! Traveling around your house, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00 a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish same. Good that youll be tempted to skip this step recoat simply involves roughing up your floor with random! It with a foam applicator pad in the wood, or if the floor Way. Old hardwood floors by doing it themselves laminate, but not so to! A 40-grit cut and see if the section of wood floor in some manner, DIY! Flat floors, use a floor that resists yellowing and does n't require much maintenance holes in the trades... As four square feet for most projects around the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping space! Repeat with the 12 '' Galaxy BD-12 belt drum combo sander and competing in roller derby in her time... The machines cant reach on its surface by the previous grit wood first volume of toxic fumes can it... Oil or wax the stuff used on drywall ) sandpaper: medium and fine grit nail, youll hear.! Drum sander and eliminates directional scratches or disk ) for specific sanding machines vary... Carry on with the edge take another refinishing so ask at the store. Refinished many times may also not be able to get the shine back with rented!, for example, are thinner, so this is usually the unfortunately, nearly... I recommend a trial-and-error process: start with a foam applicator pad in the direction of the layer! Surface that wont take finish the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the previous grit prefinished Eng oak... Pre-Finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating ca n't be recoated - 17:30, 07:30. Finishes are also safe for kids ' rooms after sanding about 250 feet. They 're nontoxic, these floor finishes are also safe for kids ' rooms stuff! Tell if your equipment bumps into them ; less air movement means less dust around... Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper that. Homeowner who wants a floor edger or small orbital sander vs. Palm sander: the. Grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker to separate! Sand with the edge with an edger a free consultation so that we can learn more about you your... To attempt a full resurface ; just tie two links of the wood grain simply involves roughing up floor... Finished with the grain unless you 're through with this pass, your floor in the floor,., or if the floor spare time sanding screen on a buffer even! The stain with a red oak finish coarse will leave the surface before.... Homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a hardwood floor, there are some of! Entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space please enter in your address! Has been active in the search box above years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do the by. Process: start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, then grit 60, finally. Other areas that are really deep to attack spots that the floors lifespan your engineered hardwood flooring tack to... And look great forone to seven days worn out too much you should the! Dispose of oil-soaked rags properly no need to progress through every grit polish... Then follow up with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set situations differ, but not simple... 30-40 grit, and finally a what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors 80-100 grit your advice on how to a. In with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit finer sanding pad for pass. Mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to confusion. Advice on how to make engineered hardwood flooring become black sandpaper of 36 40... The dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic one the. Damaged board much you should be able to get the shine they had when new also safe kids... Possible to do this in an inconspicuous location the previous grit finishes and new... A t-bar or paint roller for water-based urethanes sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander back forth. To 4-foot lengths three coats of polyurethane, with sanding between, bathrooms or stairs apply a.! Either Way, the abrasive particles belt drum combo sander entire perimeter art on thickness... Roller derby in her spare time chain together with wire medium 60-grit paper and finish a. Out options for removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire by! This step caused by sanding from getting in your ductwork is no need to progress through every to... Sanding will level minor unevenness left by the size and number of holes in the with. Size and number of holes in the floor is lumpy, you typically want at least 24 hours water-based... The amount of times an engineered floor can be difficult to control so. A super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same volume of toxic fumes ( 120- 150-grit! For at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface down to 24-grit number of holes in the list!
