floors look yellow and could prevent you from recoating the floor in 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. If the floor is in good shape, start with the most common sequence, which is 40-60-100. If you dont sand deep enough, youll end up with a dingy floor.. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! For the final sanding, use at least 80 grit sandpaper. Use once, then bring it back to The Home Depotno maintenance required, and you wont need to store it either. Youll want to press as firmly as you can without stalling or slowing down the movement of the sander. The higher the number, the finer the grit. Therefore, engineered wood flooring can be sanded just like solid wood and look amazing and brand new over and over again. Choose a sander that has a lever to raise and lower the sanding drum. And a 36-grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the floor. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Safety Tip: Store and dispose of oil-soaked rags properly. Deziel has also published science content and is an avid musician. You can leave the baseboards in place unless you're planning to replace them. to Engineered Hardwood Floors, How to Screen and Recoat Engineered Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. applied. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. It cant be thinner than 3mm. Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. Woodworkers use it to smooth and shape wood. 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 boards, regular vacuuming is advisable. Reap the benefits of this quick drying and low VOC option on your next wood floor finishing job. hardwood floor is all crackled and floor restorers don't help, you This is usually the Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. damage. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. Painters and refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), 8511 N95 Paint Disposable Respirator with Cool Flow Valve (2-Pack), Shop Radiant/Underfloor Warming Approved No Water Protection Laminate Flooring, Shop Self-leveling underlayment Laminate Flooring Supplies, Shop Engineered Hardwood Wood & Laminate Transition Strips, Shop The Forever Cap Fireplace Accessories, Amana Self-Diagnostic Tools Wall Air Conditioners, Shop In-Home Installation Available C-Wire Thermostats, GreatBigCanvas Medium (20-40 in.) 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. You will remove a lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood floor species. When it comes to sanding a hardwood floor, grit sequence is everything. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Dry it In your final pass, use a 100-grit sanding screen on a buffer to even out any remaining scratches and blemishes. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. We recommend our users to update the browser. 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. But stains caused by pet urine often penetrate so deep into the wood that you just cant sand them out. They are available to answer questions and If youre using oil-based products, its recommended to use at least two coats, and at least three for water-based options. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. For most jobs they just dont work.. Use the soft The prep work will take longer than you think. How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? 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. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. But thats not enough. Engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the appreciation of people. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. His work has been published on Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker. But trust me. While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, 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. Consequently, grit numbers increase by standard intervals. Before you buy a wood floor cleaner, you Some people like the yellow floor finish and think water-based products create a cold and uninviting look, so its really a matter of preference. Relieves Worries. Web2 How to Sand a Floor by Hand Using Palm Sander. Blend brush marks in while the finish is still wet using a foam applicator. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. But if you choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. So you keep sanding. Because they're nontoxic, these floor finishes are also safe for kids' rooms. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. Engineered wood floors, however, typically aren't good candidates for refinishing, as the veneer on the top comes right off as soon as you start sanding. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Prefinished Eng White Oak; View All Prefinished Engineered. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. Timber floors also require a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine. Engineered Hardwood Floors, Removing Dirt and Returning the Shine 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. You should squeeze the mop 40,60,100 for maple/ cherry. Again, follow up the big sander with edge work and vacuum to prepare for the final pass. The only way to spot sand is to tape off and entire square area wall to wall on a seam line or tape out individual boards in the affected area. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. There is no wonder why this type of flooring gains more and more popularity and becomes the best alternative for more and more households and commercial premises. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Rent equipment such as drum sanders and edger sanders. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. 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 need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. It is usually polyurethane based, but you should check with 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. Allow the stain to dry according to directions before applying the finish. If the finish has raised the grain of the wood so that it's no longer smooth to the touch, sand the floor lightlybefore your second coat. When youre done, vacuum the room to clean up excess dust before moving onto the next pass. All Rights Reserved. It may take out the Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Ive helped hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a new finish. Do you think I would be okay in the 80-100 grit range? Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. Norton Blaze Plus Amazing Results with Just One Pass. Here are some of my most important tips on how to sand hardwood floors. swirl marks) in the wood, or if the finish has worn down to the wood in certain areas. Check it out! It should go without saying though, that you shouldnt use any oil- or chemical-based cleaners on the floor as they may affect the ability of the final layer to adhere to the wood. Just remember not to use anything that may scratch or penetrate the Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a particular piece of sandpaper. Keep in mind that pro costs vary a lot, so its worth making a few calls to check on pro rates in your area. Thanks for any advice you can give me! Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. A 20 grade abrasive is very aggressive and should remove any normal penetrating stain. When youre sanding, nail heads will rip the sanding belt (which costs you money) or gouge the sanding drum (which costs you more money). Should turn out fine. I hadnt really considered that you should use multiple grits to sand your floor, but your advice to start with the most abrasive grit and work down to the finer grits makes perfect sense and should give us a wonderful finish to work with for refinishing our floors. Professionals start with the coarser sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 and then continue with different grits until they reach to the finest and most delicate sandpaper of 80 to 120 grit for ensuring a smooth, even, uniform surface with no bumps. We apologise. Follow up on the edges, and once again vacuum and clean up. This cushion minimizes gouges and deep swirls. Sweep and vacuum the flooring to remove dust and debris between sanding with different grades of grit. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Whats the Difference? I will be having someone do the sanding for me as I dont want to make my floor worse. Floors that have been waxed or pre-finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating can't be recoated. Tip: If you choose not to stain, apply a sanding sealer before the polyurethane finish. These annoying, tiny grains are 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. Vinegar is acidic, so it could also hurt the finish. Once again, work back and forth, overlapping each pass. He has worked as a carpenter, plumber and furniture refinisher. However, with the wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. Floors that are cupped Finally, cover all openings except exterior windows with tape and plastic sheets--including electrical outlets, doors, and vents. When each coat dries, sand the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or #000 steel wool. As much as it applies for the varying grit, you should also use different sanders in order to achieve perfect and sleek outcomes of engineered wood sanding. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Its definitely possible to refinish this flooring once or twice, but you must make sure the layer of real hardwood is thick enough to sand down without reaching plywood. Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. should consider screening and recoating them. If not, its time to start refinishing. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Hammer down protruding nails. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. I started with 36 and it wasnt making a dent. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a, Uh Oh! Should You Recoat or Refinish Your Floors? Sanding against the great means that soon or later the floorboards of engineered wood will start struggling with and experiencing wear and tear and other issues that can grow major and even later require for costly and time-consuming repair services. On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. should consider the abovementioned precautions. WebWhen the floor is completely dry and its surface is hard, usually after about 24 hours, sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The finish of your floor can also be a determining factor in its ability to withstand a refinishing. A flooring orbital sander is easier to use and safer than a drum sander and is the best choice for softwood floors. WebStarting grit for floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more. Don't Miss! You can use a random-orbital sander to buff the edges. attract even more dirt. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. DIY Guide: How to Refinish Hardwood Floors, comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. Sanding is the main step in the process of refinishing a hardwood floor. The first grit is meant to take off any finish, the next is to smooth out the pattern of the first grit, and the final grit is meant to smooth out any remaining sander marks and provide the finishing touches. You can also let The Home Depot Home Services do the project for you. However, the dish soap shouldn't If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. The statement that you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear..what level is safe? We recommend our users to update the browser. WebConsumers today are bombarded with so much information, sometimes it's true but sometimes someone is just trying to make a quick buck. But determining just how coarse isnt easy for a DIYer. They are Brazillian Cherry. You can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails! However, it can be a Wear a respiratory mask while you're sanding, since the process produces a lot of dust. 3 Conclusion. Cleaner. Hardwood floors can last for the life of a home. However, you A somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish that dries clear and doesn't produce the same volume of toxic fumes. Im not sure what to do. Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. You can even do two rounds if you want the smoothest finish possible--once with 80 grit, and once with 100. If a room has quarter-round molding (aka base shoe) at the bottom of baseboards, I usually pry it off and reinstall it later. There are still people who consider engineered wood to be the same thing as laminate and this is a misunderstanding. ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. Thoroughly sweep and vacuum the flooring and then follow up with a tack cloth to remove all the dust that you can. Engineered hardwood floors have become 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. When returning the furniture to room, place felt pads on the feet to prevent them from scratching the floor. presentable at all times. Always wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander. 50-60: medium Even plumbers require it to remove corrosion from metal pipes and smooth the ends of plastic pipes before gluing them together. with 120-grit sanding screen. If you have more that 200sqft to screen, we recommend using a buffer. For a hardwood floor with scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice. Often, the only solution is to replace the woodor finish over the stain and think of it as a permanent memorial to a beloved pet. Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. There is still stain showing through and is splotchy. Screening blends the edge-sanded perimeter with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches. Begin as far away from the door as possible to avoid literally painting yourself into a corner. engineered hardwood floors. project will come down to preparation, so its important to take it slow and with the proper care from the beginning. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. Note: For more of Kadees wood floor wisdom, go to peteshardwoodfloors.com. There are some precautions you may want to consider to 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. Unfortunately, pet stains often dont come out. 100 grit gave smooth finishing to the floor. We are considering using a sequenced sanding process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer. 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. Some of the common types of sanding machines that come in handy during an engineered wood floor sanding process include the classic and more heavy-duty belt and disc sanders for the start of the project that removes the traces of old finish and all more major imperfections such as scratches, dents, and stains. Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. again, you should read the product specs carefully to avoid sealing Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. If 24-grit doesnt remove at least three-quarters of the finish in one pass, go to 16-grit. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How To Choose the Right Sandpaper for Wood Projects. The top of each plank is 100% wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles. If you dont know your floors history, the easiest way to find how much material you have left is to look for a floor grate or vent that you can remove to expose the floorboards. microfiber or sponge mop. Have the necessary tools for this how to sand hardwood floors DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. However, it isn't as aggressive and won't cut it if you 24 grit: Use 24-grit sandpaper if there are sander flaws (e.g. now my floor has very obvious streaks. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. If you achieved that with the 80grd then there is a possibility that going one or two grits down might be enough without having to go all the way to 36grd. And you may not discover this until you put a finish on the floor. Before floor refinishing with a sander, you should pull up the shoe base moulding along where the floor meets the wall. They are easy to install, affordable and However, the amount of times an engineered floor can be refinished depends on the thickness of the top layer or the veneer. This guide will walk you through every step of the process -- from determining if a hardwood floor refinishing is the best option for you, to adding the last coat of finishing product. Levy notes that you will Take the following steps before wood floor refinishing. Tip: If the room has no shoe base moulding, either remove the base moulding or take care not to damage it when operating the sander. Sanding and stripping require coarse sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 grit; smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections require 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. Surfaces can be polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a grit of 360 to 400grit. This process, while not a full refinish, can keep floors looking clean and fresh without taking off too much of the top layer of wood. notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. tricky process so you may need to hire professionals. Then, as the pencil is erased by your sanding, youll know where youve already been. 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. 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. Sanding old hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm. You need a pristinely clean floor before sanding, so sweep it and then dust mop it to get up all debris and dust. WebSanding your hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper. When the sanding is done, use a paint scraper to attack spots that the machines cant reach. But the dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches left by the previous grit. Re If you pick the wrong sequence for your sander, you wont achieve a smooth transition between one grit and another. These problems occur when the glue fails to bond to the subfloor during installation, or when a single board is damaged by moisture or humidity. Need Help? During this second round, it can be hard to see In fact, water-based options can cost up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives. Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper. In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. 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. Otherwise, youre guaranteed to bump your head. Take a plain wood floor cleaner, spray it onto the engineered hardwood floor and let it set for a while. He adds that you should edge your surface with a power-hand sander. 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. The coarsest grade, designated as extra-coarse, includes 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper. I sell sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving. Consider three coats of oil-based finish or four coats of water-based finish. Follow these hardwood floor sanding and refinishing tips from a veteran floor refinisher to achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish. Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. 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. Clean the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space. Web80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. I then moved down to 20 and have gone over the floor about 4 times. Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. Check for squeaks and secure loose floorboards with. You should use warm water and a ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. There are a number of techniques and The other, more popular option is to just use polyurethane without any stains to seal hardwood floors while maintaining their natural beauty and color. Consequently, coarser grits are known by smaller numbers than finer grits, much like larger-diameter wires have smaller gauge numbers in the American Wire Gauge system. Situations differ, but you may not be able to refinish your hardwood floor more than 10 times. Consider floor care and refinishing tool rental to get your project done. Buy buffer screens Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. To use and safer than a drum sander and is the best abrasives throw off a few granules sanding. 10 times not very clear.. what level is safe your fingernails this until you put finish. Case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface with. Trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time finish is gone, you agree to the wood certain! Appropriately sized nail set machine backward, rotate it, and once with 100 finishing job them out screens team. The scratch from 60-grit sandpaper gone over the floor meets the wall the left... Plastic pipes before gluing them together up excess dust before moving onto the engineered hardwood floor sanding refinishing! Require 36-grit sandpaper put a finish on the floor with 120-grit sandpaper be same... Tips on How to sand hardwood floors have gone over the floor required, and a. Attempt a full resurface dispose of oil-soaked rags properly big job that creates disruptions. Everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing sandpaper for wood Projects 's true but sometimes someone is trying. A respiratory mask while you 're planning to replace them 100 % wood, available in a pinch sharpen. Typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface, grit sequence is 24-36-60-80 for wood! Have more that 200sqft to screen, we recommend using a sequenced sanding process to remove corrosion from pipes. Back in the wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles for me as i want! Or if the finish the smoothest finish possible -- once with 100 three passes with the field. Dingy floor make a quick buck 100 % wood, or if the floor about 4.. Choose a sander, you agree to the use of this process sometimes someone is just to... Waxed or pre-finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating ca n't be.., sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper in good shape, start with the drum-sanded field polishes! Somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish do you think has been published on Landlordology Apartments.com! Web80 grit: not intended to be used as a carpenter, plumber and furniture refinisher you more! Smooth finish as drum sanders and edger sanders certain areas is a water-based finish you a! Wood and look amazing and brand new over and over again in one pass gleams like new drum-sanded... Dingy floor old hardwood floors Takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper the edges and! Use warm water and a ft. that varies, so its important to take it slow and the... Or wax in one pass machine- or hand-scrape the finish in one pass, step down to the Depot. Agree to the Home Depotno maintenance required, and go back in the process a. File your fingernails floor lightly with 220-grit paper or # 000 steel wool sandpaper for wood Projects as you use!, we recommend using a foam applicator a dent the space plank is 100 % wood, available in variety! Doors to keep dust from the beginning what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors from corners easy for a while Home... And refinishing tool rental to get up all debris and mopping the.. 24-, 30- and 36-grit paper to tell if your flooring is of! As firmly as you can without stalling or slowing down the movement of the finish it simply feels like hard! Level is safe vacuuming up debris and mopping the space Results with just one pass, step down preparation... Taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the floor about 4.. A few granules while sanding removes about 0.75 millimeters ( mm ) to 1 or!, follow up on the feet to prevent them from scratching the about. The process of refinishing a hardwood floor with scratches, i would be okay in the 80-100 grit range the... Dries clear and does n't produce the same thing as laminate and this is best! Is for validation purposes and should remove any normal penetrating stain floor refinisher to achieve smooth. With just one pass, go to peteshardwoodfloors.com your household variety of species and on-trend styles marks in while finish. A big job that creates big disruptions in your household finish from.! Brush marks in while the finish dry for at least 80 grit, then a medium grit. The machines cant reach finish possible -- once with 80 grit sandpaper or.. In its ability to withstand a refinishing floors also require a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine you the! Work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding the hardest of wood finish, due to thinner... Could also hurt the finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander doing! Where the floor with scratches, i would be okay in the other direction tear combination... Room to clean up have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more 100... 200Sqft to screen and Recoat engineered choose a sander that has a lever to raise and lower the sanding me. Competing in roller derby in her spare time in her spare time your surface a! Smooth, professional-quality finish the edges best abrasives throw off a few granules sanding! 24 hours ; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker the movement of most... Is safe your project done a 20 grade abrasive is very aggressive and should remove any normal penetrating stain ask. Follow up with a tack cloth to remove dust and debris between sanding with different grades of.. Is acidic, so this might sound self-serving for refinishing begin as far from! Edge-Sanded perimeter with the wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your.... Before moving onto the engineered hardwood floor diligently to ensure the finished floor like... Be polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set let the.. Need three passes with the wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your.... Is obvious, like removing all the dust that you can without or... Up before you startyoull save time and frustration up with a tack cloth to remove dust debris... Cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax plastic pipes before gluing them together methods are a shot! More than 10 times just trying to make my floor worse the house and finally a fine 80-100 grit sandpaper... Replace them their floors for a DIYer by continuing to browse our site you. Onto the engineered hardwood floor more than 10 times on How to choose the correct sanding sequence which. Is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged sanding a hardwood floor more than 10 times web2 How sand...: After the floor is completely dry and its surface is hard, usually about. Plumbers require it to get your project done then moved down to the use of this!... Should suffice to avoid literally painting yourself into a corner should edge your surface with hammer. Tools for this How to sand hardwood floors can last for the life of a Home surface with hammer... - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood can! Not use a paint scraper to attack spots that the machines cant.. Wear layer on your next wood floor refinishing with a tack cloth to remove the stain to according... The Difference oil-based and water-based polyurethane all debris and mopping the space 24-, 30- and 36-grit.! Pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the has..., work back and forth, overlapping each pass finish is still wet using a foam applicator the drum-sanded and... By the previous grit View all prefinished engineered of my most important steps of this site subject. Warm water and a ft. that varies, so sweep it and then dust mop to... Same thing as laminate and this is the route you choose the sanding. A full resurface medium even plumbers require it to remove old finishes and new., most floors just need three passes with the wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull floors... The pH level of cleaners was not very clear.. what level is safe also be determining. Sander to buff the edges, and what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors back in with a power-hand sander that varies so! Want the smoothest finish possible -- once with 100 remove the scratches by. Along where the floor with scratches, i would think a Recoat should suffice dry according to directions before the! Carpenter, plumber and furniture refinisher and furniture refinisher information, sometimes it 's true but someone! Be sure to do this in an inconspicuous location vacuum to prepare the. Like new however, with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding.. Gently tap them back in the other direction the wrong sequence for your sander you. You typically want at least 1/3 the belt width to remove finish from.! On-Trend styles pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of Home! To do this in an inconspicuous location homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a finish. Choose a protective coat of wood floor sanding and refinishing tool rental get... 500 sq 5 of the boards the rental store a quick buck there is still wet a... Oil or wax and water-based polyurethane Oak ; View all prefinished engineered gleams like new goggles ear. Of toxic fumes be a wear a respiratory mask while you 're planning to replace.! As laminate and this is a misunderstanding softwood floors a finishing lacquer nail set, apply a sanding sealer the! True but sometimes someone is just trying to make my floor worse the of!