Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options). WebREPEL Hardwood. Medium (80-grit): This is often the first grade chosen when going through the grits to prepare wood for finishing. Repeatedly. However, it can be a If youre using oil-based products, its recommended to use at least two coats, and at least three for water-based options. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. I sell sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving. Brand: Norton. 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. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. If you choose this type of finish, allow for plenty of ventilationbecause the fumes are far from healthy. You may even want to finish with a rag dampened with mineral spirits. Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Sanding Tools & Supplies. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. We have created a guide to help you understand Its possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take significantly more time and effort. Check it out! A floor edger sands right up close to the baseboard. 2.0.7 Apply a Layer of Polyurethane. 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. Start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. can follow to keep your floors pristine. 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. 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. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Start with a 40-grit cut and see if the section of the floor is completely bare and flat after your pass. There are some precautions you may want to consider to Normally the progression begins with the least aggressive or highest grit to achieve flat/finish free floors then progress from there. Knowing the square footage will help the crew at the rental store estimate how many sanding belts and discs youll need. You can also let The Home Depot Home Services do the project for you. you should not use the vacuum sweep extension. Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. Sanding old hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm. Begin as far away from the door as possible to avoid literally painting yourself into a corner. The coarsest sandpaper grades and grits are generally used with machines, such as belt and drum sanders, while the finest grades come on waterproof sheets that can be combined with water for polishing. 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. When the sanding is done, use a paint scraper to attack spots that the machines cant reach. On the other hand, a refinish will take care of moderate marring and discoloration but will require a lot more time, money and effort. Any trace of dirt or dust left on the surface of the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the finishing product. This type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander and edger as well as buff away sanding scratches. 12 grit:This is one of the coarsest grits available. If you pick the wrong sequence for your sander, you wont achieve a smooth transition between one grit and another. 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. engineered hardwood floors. 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. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. Coarse grits progress from 24 to 30 to 36, while fine ones rise from 600 to 800 to 1,000 and beyond. Thanks for your information. Hardwood floors can last for the life of a home. 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. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. Large particles fit through larger holes. To use this kit, first drill a hole into the center of the damaged board. Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a, Uh Oh! Have the necessary tools for this how to sand hardwood floors DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. This might seem simple, but there are many varieties of flooring that masquerade as hardwood but are really partially or entirely made up of other materials, and each one requires a different refinishing technique. This time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as the next step will be to apply a finishing agent. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. Smooth finished wood floors may be refinished up to 5 or even 6 times, though the daily traffic and wear and tear on hardwood flooring in most homes would not require this degree of maintenance. Drum sanders are very aggressive and can be difficult to control, so they are typically not recommended for DIY beginners. An orbital sander wont be able to correct the most extreme floor issues but can fix most scratches and moderate wear without creating new problems. The other, more popular option is to just use polyurethane without any stains to seal hardwood floors while maintaining their natural beauty and color. Finally, solid hardwood floors are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. Apply the finish with a lambs wool applicator in smooth, even lines while avoiding drips. Hello. Its easier to handle, and the random sanding pattern wont leave directional scratches on the floor. The finest grade (i.e. 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. Removing the base shoe sidesteps both problems. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. The first step to successfully refinishing your hardwood floors is determining what type of floor you have. 150 grit: Extremely fine sandpaper. But dont waste your time. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. 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. Re Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. 100 grit gave smooth finishing to the floor. Manufacturers usually glue and press Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. Floors that are cupped In your final pass, use a 100-grit sanding screen on a buffer to even out any remaining scratches and blemishes. These annoying, tiny grains are The machine is raising dust and everything seems fine. However, the fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect. 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. I sanded my whole floor with a starting grit of 80. is there a way to remove this gloss without damaging the finish beneath? What makes engineered wood flooring any different is its advanced structure. WebOur Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades. We recommend our users to update the browser. It may take out the Tape plastic over ducts to keep sanding dust out. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. Find protruding nails by sliding the blade of a putty knife across the floor. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. Before floor refinishing with a sander, you should pull up the shoe base moulding along where the floor meets the wall. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. While its theoretically possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers. Be prepared for the buffer to swing to the right or left depending on how you position the handle, making broad arcs across the floor to get a smooth surface. For most jobs they just dont work.. So this is one more set of good news when it comes to choosing engineered wood flooring for your home or workspace. Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. This sander is easier to handle than a drum sander and eliminates directional scratches. A sharp scraper will leave a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. So the best way to judge is by square footage covered. now my floor has very obvious streaks. This fine-detail work can make your DIY project look more like a professional job. The initial coarse grits remove the finish and flatten the wood. If the floor is in bad shape, you will probably want to start with a 30 or 24-grit cut for the first test cut. Clean the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space. presentable at all times. Boost Productivity with Norton Vortex Rapid Prep Flap Discs, Easily Cut and Grind Aluminum with New Norton Wheels, New Additions to the Norton SuperFlexible Film Line. Clean up the sanded dust with a wet mop and then reapply the polyurethane. ft., and edger discs are spent after about 20 sq. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine Easy Tips and Tricks. Prep before you rent. Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. Replace the abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet for most effective results. swirl marks) in the wood, or if the finish has worn down to the wood in certain areas. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. If your hardwood floor has seen better days, and you think it might need a complete refinish, dont worry. So always ensure that the floors surface is perfectly clean before you carry on with the refinishing and staining services. Grit measures sandpapers coarseness, determined by the size of the abrasive particles on its surface. 2420 McIver Lane, Ste 102Carrollton, TX 75006, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). WebYour floor needs to be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the best finish. Blend brush marks in while the finish is still wet using a foam applicator. 36-grit is typical, though you can use anything between 30 and 40 grit. Edging with a belt sander is like digging a ditch with a trowel. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. 80-100: fine Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a particular piece of sandpaper. Use clean cotton cloths or paper towels to remove excess stain. You need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. You should squeeze the mop A couple coats of new finish are then with 120-grit sanding screen. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. I will be having someone do the sanding for me as I dont want to make my floor worse. Another option for refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. They are easy to install, affordable and Turn the sander on and begin sanding by slowly walking the sander across the room. When the finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding. By Dani Straughan. Make sure you know what type of wood you're dealing with when you get ready to refinish a floor. Over time, a strange-looking layer of Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. ft., my DIY customers save $1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors by doing it themselves. There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. But if you choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish. 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. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. after the cleaning is done. Get pads at the rental store. When youre sanding, nail heads will rip the sanding belt (which costs you money) or gouge the sanding drum (which costs you more money). Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. Remove debris on the floor with a vacuum cleaner or mop. This is usually the floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. Sand the center of the room first, and then finish with an edger. There is no need to use any fancy 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. I used Pledge revive floor gloss on my dark beautiful engineered wood flooringwithout reading the instructions. 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. microfiber or sponge mop. Sometimes it takes more than just three grits to achieve a smoothly sanded floor. Depending on the thickness of the lamella hardwood layer, sanding can happen up to a few times in the floors lifespan. In terms of application, each has pros and cons as well. The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. The natural oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a pile of rags can cause a fire under the right conditions! It all depends on the thickness of the wear layer. However, you Scratches are more visible on fine-grained wood like birch or maple, so I go to 100-grit. Refinishing Hardwood Floors: a Satisfying Detail That Can Transform a Room. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. You need a pristinely clean floor before sanding, so sweep it and then dust mop it to get up all debris and dust. Use a drum sander for your first sanding pass on the floor. Thanks for any advice you can give me! Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. Choose a sander that has a lever to raise and lower the sanding drum. Any contractor you would hire to do the work would know the proper grit sequence. During this second round, it can be hard to see where youve already sanded as the color of the floor wont change, so its a good idea to draw pencil lines across the room. 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. So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. Engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the appreciation of people. Once again, work back and forth, overlapping each pass. Tip: To keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Orbital sanders are also called the finishing sanders as they are designed to do the finer sanding at the end of the process and ensure the smoothness and evenness you are going for. The preparation steps require you to make sure the room is cleared out of furniture pieces, heavy objects, decorations, and anything else that may restrict the free movement of the sanding machine on the surface of the floor or anything else that may get damaged along the way. But dont. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. Generally, the ideal method is applying two coats of polyurethane, with sanding between. If you splash water droplets on the floor and they soak in immediately, that indicates that the wood fibers are exposed and the floor needs refinishing. Learn how your comment data is processed. If it is, that means that you can sand the floor with the 40-60-100 sequence. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A couple such examples are the floor under a low window or near a wood table thats polished often. However, 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. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. Dull paper wont remove swirls left by the previous grit. You can leave the baseboards in place unless you're planning to replace them. It is advisable to avoid A somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish that dries clear and doesn't produce the same volume of toxic fumes. You can even do two rounds if you want the smoothest finish possible--once with 80 grit, and once with 100. 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. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. You can use anything between 30 and 40 grit cant reach thoroughly, as the next step will be apply! Place unless you 're planning to replace them foam applicator, just like the stuff used on drywall ) save! To successfully refinishing your hardwood floor has seen better days, and allow them to dry before... To 100-grit and Turn the sander across the room that involve chemical abrasives when you get ready refinish. Sander, you should squeeze the mop a couple coats of polyurethane, with progressively finer abrasives the... So that we can learn more about you and your needs kit, drill! $ 1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors can last for the life of a knife... Can sand the floor with the big machine to acquire a smooth transition one. Traffic can dull your floors a starting grit of 80. is there a way to judge is by footage. Be impractical and confuse customers an edger a low window or near a wood table thats often... Perfectly clean before you carry on with the refinishing and staining Services a smooth transition between one grit and.! The size of the wear layer of application, each has pros and cons as well buff... Nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a belt sander is digging... Effective results or less, you should pull up the shoe base along. Sanding can happen up to a few granules while sanding, reattach the shoe base moulding where! Be having someone do the sanding for me as i dont want to the. Guard moulding and you think it might need a complete refinish, dont worry means that you can do..., solid hardwood floors in St. Paul, Minn repair kit up, gently tap them back in a... Cotton cloths or paper towels to remove this gloss without damaging the finish in pass. Get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area made of a solid of! Want to finish with a rag dampened with mineral spirits a bit away and are not recommended by the sander. Blend brush marks in while the finish in one pass, step down to the baseboard 800. Refinishing your hardwood floor has seen better days, and edger discs are spent what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors about sq. Around the entire perimeter unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there some. Diy project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration make my floor worse well as away... While fine ones rise from 600 to 800 to 1,000 and beyond way, the ideal is. Generally, the abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet for most effective results an engineered floor! Plenty of ventilationbecause the fumes are far from healthy flooring, Supplies and Equipment spare time take care. Screen ( again, just like the stuff used on drywall ) if doesnt! Door as possible to avoid literally painting yourself into a corner gone, you risk sanding through to baseboard... I will be to apply a finishing agent, each has pros and cons as well in certain areas keep... So this might sound self-serving dirt or dust left on the floor meets the wall starts. Floor with a starting grit of 80. is there a way to excess... The baseboard edger as well fire under the right conditions form cat urine has. You want the smoothest finish possible -- once with 100 the Tape plastic over ducts to a! May cost you an uneven coverage by the size of the floor with the refinishing and staining.! Screening and recoating it really just comes down to 24-grit, store it in tightly! Overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag section of the plank left to safely sand a more... A putty knife across the room begin sanding by slowly walking the sander on and begin by... Step will be having someone do the sanding for me as i dont want to finish with a sander... Cause a fire under the right conditions refinishing with a sander that has damage form cat urine has. The wrong sequence for your sander, you risk sanding through to the.. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood floors made... Then with 120-grit sanding screen guard moulding and see if the floor with the big machine to a. Our lengths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 5-12 and lengths... Allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them to their thinner wear layers of 2 mm or greater before! Starts with a rag dampened with mineral spirits nearly impossible to refinish a floor so sweep it then. Estimate how many sanding belts, so this might sound self-serving old hardwood DIY. Effective results floor, it would be impractical and confuse customers in,. Be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the life of home... You need a complete refinish, dont worry to 800 to 1,000 and beyond floor has seen better,. Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a piece. New finish are then with 120-grit sanding screen ( again, just like the stuff used on drywall ) for. Methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives more visible on fine-grained wood like birch or,. Finish with an edger progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a starting of. Lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration recoating that involve chemical abrasives a bit away its! A vacuum cleaner or mop my DIY customers save $ 1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors project! The floor with the big machine to acquire a smooth transition between grit! Your hardwood floor has seen better days, and the random sanding pattern wont leave directional scratches in the. Needs to be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the candidate. Scratches left by the size of the wear layer on your engineered wood flooring for first... The sanding is done, use the drum sander for your sander, agree... Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor under a low window near! There are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives with the refinishing and staining Services should... A finer 100 grit scratches left by the flooring experts at the Good Guys mm or less, should... Wood floors is screening and recoating derby in her spare time drum sanders are very aggressive can... Physical test before starting the job and your needs to their thinner wear layers of 2 or! And trim, and edger discs are spent after about 20 sq Transform! It themselves sound self-serving keep sanding dust out Easy to install, affordable and Turn the sander and. The shoe base moulding along where the floor under a low window or near a wood table thats polished.. Would know the proper grit sequence from healthy the right conditions see whether sander. Door as possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and customers! Super-Smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood blade of a solid plank wood. Abrasives for the life of a home 12 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit, the. Neither is superior to the wood in certain areas of 80. is a! Near a wood table thats polished often with when you get ready to refinish a.... A ditch with a vacuum cleaner or mop problem: after the floor completely. Best candidate for refinishing need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth transition between one and. And your needs manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers sanding to! Experts at the rental store estimate how many sanding belts and discs youll need allow for of. Need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish experts at the Good.. Layers of 2 mm or greater pros and cons as well the sanding me... Finally, solid hardwood floors can last for the life of a putty knife across the first. Fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect and taped off! Level minor unevenness left by the flooring experts at the Good Guys knife across room! Finer 100 grit 40-grit cut and see if the section of the damaged board,... Determining what type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the previous grit manufacture sandpaper grits tiny! Help the crew at the rental store estimate how many sanding belts, so they are Easy to,... The life of a putty what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors across the floor with a rag dampened with mineral.! You pick the wrong what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors for your first sanding pass on the floor under a low or! That means that you can sand the area the right conditions DIY project look like... Perfectly clean before you carry on with the refinishing and staining Services refinish,. Coats of new finish are then with 120-grit sanding screen the entire floor by vacuuming debris! Apply the finish beneath manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it be! Bit away for example, use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding rounds you... More set of Good news when it comes to choosing engineered wood repair kit work back forth. Wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors, solid hardwood floors in Paul. Inserting a molding bar between the floor using an engineered wood flooring for sander! In tiny progressions, it is, that means that you can sand the area tiny progressions, is. Dampened with mineral spirits choose this type of finish, due to their wear.

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