What are the steps to finish a wood floor beginning with the first step. the floor is 100 year old birch..?
Question:ripped the carpet up and found this beautiful wood. Its 5/8 in. thick and 31/4 wide and ikts through out the whole house. Want to do the refinishing myself but don't want to mess up.
Answers:
Hey, we just got our hardwood floors refinished, and they are beautiful. Honestly to tell you, not to hurt your self esteem, but I would let a professional do it, because there is more to it than you know, between the sanding and staining and polyeurthaning, it can be a lot for just one person. Trust me it's worth having someone eles do it for you. But if you do decide to take that venture more power to you.
Pull all the old nails and staples. You can go to Lowes or a rental center and rent a vibrating floor sander. They are easier to use then the professional models just more time consuming. Vacuum between grits. Use a hand sander in the corners and closets. Wipe stain on the floor with a lambswool pad. Then let it dry at lest 24 hours. Then use a Poly meant for floors on it. I would use a water based since it is easier to use and doesn't smell as bad. Do 3 coats over a couple days. Be gently on the floor for a wile till the poly cures. If you damage it. Just sand lightly and brush a little more poly on.
I'm not sure. All I can tell you is that my father-in law and I refinished my hardwood floor using a rented sander. That was 15 years ago and maybe the machines have improved, It was hard to control and sand evenly.Especially it there are imperfections in the floor, like nails sticking up or warped boards. I think if I were going to do it again I would get a professional to sand it. Because once its sanded you can't put it back the way it was. Ours didn't turn out too bad, but it was a lot of work and scary doing. But like I said maybe the machines have improved.
I think, right before you start the poly I would go over the floor one final time but usng 220 grit sandpaper, then follow with " steel Wool #0000(to knock down any raised fibers). Then clean up with a sponge & vacume . then move on to the poly phase.
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