Prepare Room
Remove all furniture and window treatments. Seal doorways with plastic to contain dust.
Inspect and Repair
Check for loose boards, protruding nails, and gaps. Secure loose boards and set nails below surface.
First Sanding Pass
Use drum sander with 36-grit paper at 45-degree angle to grain. Remove old finish and level floor.
Second Sanding Pass
Sand with 60-grit paper parallel to grain. Remove scratches from first pass.
Edge Sanding
Use edge sander along walls and in corners where drum sander can't reach. Match grit to drum sander.
Third Sanding Pass
Sand entire floor with 80-grit paper parallel to grain. Floor should look uniform.
Final Sanding
Final pass with 100-grit paper. This creates smooth surface for finish.
Fill Gaps and Holes
Fill gaps between boards and nail holes with wood filler. Let dry and sand smooth.
Vacuum and Tack
Vacuum thoroughly, then wipe with tack cloth to remove all dust. Surface must be perfectly clean.
Apply Stain (Optional)
Test stain on inconspicuous area. Apply evenly with lambswool applicator, working with grain. Wipe excess.
Apply First Finish Coat
Apply thin coat of polyurethane with lambswool applicator. Work in direction of grain. Let dry 4-6 hours.
Sand Between Coats
Lightly sand with 220-grit paper or buffer with fine screen. Remove dust with tack cloth.
Apply Additional Coats
Apply 2-3 more coats, sanding between each. Final coat should not be sanded.
Cure Time
Allow 24-48 hours before light traffic. Wait one week before replacing furniture and rugs.
Shop Materials & Tools
Shop Materials
Shop Materials- •Rent professional sanding equipment - consumer sanders won't cut it
- •Never let drum sander sit in one spot - it will create dips
- •Oil-based polyurethane is more durable but takes longer to dry
- •Water-based polyurethane dries faster and has less odor but may raise grain
- ▸Drum sander
- ▸Edge sander
- ▸Buffer
- ▸Vacuum
- ▸Lambswool applicator
- ▸Paint tray
- ▸Respirator
- ▸Knee pads
- ▸Sandpaper (36, 60, 80, 100 grit)
- ▸Wood filler
- ▸Stain (optional)
- ▸Polyurethane or oil finish
- ▸Mineral spirits
- ▸Tack cloth