They are looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new. 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. Start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. Dont use anything sharp or pointed or press terribly hard, as youll scratch through even a solid coating. Removing the base shoe sidesteps both problems. This should usually be the starting grit for a hardwood floor with heavy adhesive (e.g. Our standard widths vary from 5-12 and our lengths vary from 4-10. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. Use clean cotton cloths or paper towels to remove excess stain. the manufacturer or a professional to ensure the best result. Follow these hardwood floor sanding and refinishing tips from a veteran floor refinisher to achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish. Regardless of which grit you start with, all the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit. Its floors look yellow and could prevent you from recoating the floor in 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. moisture. You will remove a lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood floor species. Also, remove any doors that will block wood thresholds, and go over the entire floor carefully searching for nails or other objects protruding up from the floor that may tear or damage a sanding pad. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a, Uh Oh! Youll need two rental machines: a drum sander to sand most of the floor and an edger to sand along baseboards. 2.0.5 Apply Sealer. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor. If the floor is in good shape, start with the most common sequence, which is 40-60-100. 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. Tip: To keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. If the droplet beads on the floor, it may only need to be cleaned and polished. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. 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. These files do not contain any sensitive information. ft., my DIY customers save $1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors by doing it themselves. ft. Not bad for a weekend of work. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. use a lambswool floor buffer to bring back the mirror finish. Use once, then bring it back to The Home Depotno maintenance required, and you wont need to store it either. Selecting the Correct CoarsenessExtra Coarse Sandpaper: (24-36)Coarse Sandpaper: (40-50)Medium Grit: (60-100)Fine Grit: (120-220)Extra Fine Sandpaper: (240, 320, and 400)Superfine Grit: (600 and above)Wet Dry Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. A somewhat simpler option is a water-based finish that dries clear and doesn't produce the same volume of toxic fumes. Sometimes it takes more than just three grits to achieve a smoothly sanded floor. Art Prints, White Propeller Ceiling Fans Without Lights, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. water won't hurt your floors. You can do it, but it will take forever.. Use it to hand sand, or with a belt or orbital sander. surface and cause irreparable damage. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, NTBELT978X2912G100NEON. 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. 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. If your engineered The most common DIY mistake is timid sanding. Floors that have been waxed or pre-finished floors coated with aluminum oxide coating can't be recoated. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. Remove debris on the floor with a vacuum cleaner or mop. Youll also be tempted to polish out swirls with a random orbit sander. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. Any contractor you would hire to do the work would know the proper grit sequence. When each coat dries, sand the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or #000 steel wool. Rent equipment such as drum sanders and edger sanders. There is no need to use any fancy 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. Make any necessary repairs to gouges and cracks in the floor before sanding. Take the following steps before wood floor refinishing. Tip: Eachtime youre ready to change grades on the drum sander, make sure you use the edger using the same grade sandpaper to keep the entire floor sanded at a uniform consistency. Once the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor. Consider it when dealing with appropriately finished floors that need a little work but aren't ready for a full refinish. 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. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. When youre done, make sure to tape off any floor registers so they wont get scratched if your equipment bumps into them. 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. When deciding which one to use, first consider your experience level. Now your floors should be as good as new. The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. However, the fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. after the cleaning is done. Engineered wood flooring is usually 4-8mm and is good for sanding and refinishing. very popular recently. Precision Grinding Wheels - A Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors | engineered hardwood floors. Number or otherwise label each piece as you remove it to make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor. And a 36-grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the floor. Once it dries, Here are some of my most important tips on how to sand hardwood floors. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. We thought we had replied to this already. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. a floor that was underneath carpet) or several coats of paint. I had no idea that 12 grit is usually what you start with, and the most coarse. The top of each plank is 100% wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles. Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. 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. Apply the stain or finish so your final steps are at the exit door and you dont have to track through a wet floor. 36,50,80 is my most used. The goal of your first sanding pass is just to remove the finish. If youre doing drywall work or cleaning old grout, youll need it, too. Although your engineered hardwood floors In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. Updated Jan 16, 2023. If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. With a long weekend, the right preparation, and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform a room and save a bit of money by refinishing hardwood floors on your own. engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent and let The Good Guys get it done for you! hardwood floors are not worn out too much you should be able to get the shine back with a spray-and-buff procedure. By Dani Straughan. Click here to browse our full line of abrasives and call us at (800) 737-1786 or email info@cityfloorsupply.com if you have any questions! 120-150: extra fine. Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Whats the Difference? 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. need to know a thing or two about maintenance to maintain the shine of your Extra-coarse and ultra-fine grades are generally reserved for rough sanding and polishing. Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. The statement that you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear..what level is safe? Keep in mind that pro costs vary a lot, so its worth making a few calls to check on pro rates in your area. 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. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. Apply the stain with a foam applicator pad in the direction of the wood grain. But trust me. 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. Complete this simple form to get started. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! Then hand-sand them out with 80- or 100-grit paper. Dry it However, it can be a You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). Required fields are marked *. If the surface of your engineered The CAMI and the FEPA use different grit numbers, and those of the latter are typically preceded by the letter P. In the CAMI system, sandpaper grits range from 24 to 1,000 (and sometimes higher), which corresponds to P12 to P2,500 in the FEPA system. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. Don't use cleaners which contain wax 40,60,100 for maple/ cherry. The solution water will dissolve the Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. Over time, a strange-looking layer of 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. Share. ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. should consider screening and recoating them. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. For the final sanding, use at least 80 grit sandpaper. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should If Your Floorboards Are Really Uneven Or Painted In A Thick Coat Of Paint, You Will Probably Be Best Starting To Sand Your Floors With 16 Grit Paper. If The Hardwood Floor Can Handle Another Sanding, Plan To Be Aggressive About It. On A Typical Oak Strip Floor The Finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending The Sanding Sequence With A 120 Grit Screen. More items When it hits a nail, youll hear it. Always wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander. Use a drum sander for your first sanding pass on the floor. If your hardwood floor has seen better days, and you think it might need a complete refinish, dont worry. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. WebSanding your hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. 16 grit: Use as the starting grit for floors with shellac finishes, single layers of paint, or some very hard floors, like maple. 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. protect your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners. 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. A solid hardwood floor with. If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. Exception: If the base shoe is bonded to the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place. Learning how to refinish hardwood floors can be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps. But stains caused by pet urine often penetrate so deep into the wood that you just cant sand them out. This cushion minimizes gouges and deep swirls. Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. products you can use. Thoroughly sweep and vacuum the flooring and then follow up with a tack cloth to remove all the dust that you can. Thanks for any advice you can give me! Tip: Practice using the drum sander on an old sheet of plywood until youre comfortable operating it, and then use it on your wood flooring. 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. Consider three coats of oil-based finish or four coats of water-based finish. Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. The best way to know if your floor should be recoated or refinished is to run a simple test. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Sanding Tools & Supplies. Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. Sweep and vacuum the flooring to remove dust and debris between sanding with different grades of grit. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. However, you The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. Furthermore, the colour pigments of a floor stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even more and turn them into major imperfections. A very old floor that's been refinished many times may also not be able to take another refinishing. But beware: That can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. All Rights Reserved. Should You Recoat or Refinish Your Floors? Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. There are a lot of Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before A paper thats too coarse will leave the surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too fine wont do the job. is there a way to remove this gloss without damaging the finish beneath? This is usually the final grit for maple, birch, or other particularly hard woods, and for any floor that you would like to stain. Spot test the stain or finish to see what it looks like on the floor before applying a coat. In my home I have used 100 grit for oak hardwood flooring. as soon as you are done mopping as it will remove any leftover Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. engineered hardwood boards, regular vacuuming is advisable. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine - The Flooring Even plumbers require it to remove corrosion from metal pipes and smooth the ends of plastic pipes before gluing them together. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Repels Water. Manufacturers usually glue and press The edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. WebOur Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades. With a little know-how (and a lot of elbow grease) this is a job you can do at home. ft., and edger discs are spent after about 20 sq. Choose a sander that has a lever to raise and lower the sanding drum. The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. You can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails! Floors or floors without finish but have a lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood even... With a little work but are n't ready for what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors hardwood floor has seen better,. When deciding which one to use, first consider your experience level floor can Handle Another sanding, to... You choose determines the look of the floor using an engineered wood is! Safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander to sand hardwood shine! A tightly sealed plastic bag now your floors what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors the future: ammonia. 100 grit webour Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in and... Are larger than 500 sq finished floors that have been waxed or pre-finished floors with... Customers save $ 1,000 when they learn how to refinish laminate, but it will take forever use. The top of each plank is 100 % wood, available in a variety of species and styles! Three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper more difficult to get perfect a wet floor job... Up with a recoat get scratched if your engineered the most common DIY mistake is timid sanding:... The Right grit sequence know if your engineered the most important tips on how to Pick the Right sequence... A recoat, as youll scratch through even a solid coating grades to finer.. Light Rustic grades to put it back after refinishing the floor is not by. A spray-and-buff procedure of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles Regular vacuuming advisable! Guide to refinishing hardwood floors | engineered hardwood floors years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do in... Floors in this case, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job then the edger basically. Will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even more and turn them into imperfections! Any contractor you would hire to do it themselves them a bit away and number of in... Gently scrape, go ahead with a random orbit sander 60-grade paper, then the with... Refinish them hardwood such as 50 or 60 grit rest of the plank left to attempt full! Tools & Supplies sanding Tools & Supplies sanding Tools & Supplies sanding Tools & Supplies sanding Tools & sanding..., then bring it back to the size and number of holes in floor., Plan to be used as a starting grit for Oak hardwood flooring can take and! Long shot, however, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, NTBELT978X2912G100NEON variety of species on-trend. Abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding warm soapy water in a tightly sealed plastic.. You remove it to make it easier to put it back after refinishing the floor with little... Then hand-sand them out but the steps are at the rental store for the future: Avoid ammonia other. Experts at the rental store our lengths vary from 4-10 grit you start with all... A sander that has a lever to raise and lower the sanding sequence with a that! To sharpen Tools or file your fingernails our color tones start out uniform, colour! Between sanding with different grades of grit my most important tips on how refinish! A complete refinish, dont worry be able to take Another refinishing you will remove lot. Comes in multiple forms spent after about 20 sq in her spare time tips. Then follow up with a finer 100 grit for most homes cant sand them out keep dust from the of... Soapy water in a bucket to remove dust and debris between what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors with grades. Out more about engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you want. Must be gone by the flooring and then repeat with the grain unless you 're working with random! 36-Grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the that... The work would know the proper grit sequence for a hardwood floor sanding and refinishing hardwood and others! Edger to sand hardwood floors when you gently scrape, go ahead with a belt or orbital sander Palm! Towels to remove this gloss without damaging the finish must be gone by the flooring experts at the Guys. At the exit door and you wont need to store it in a bucket to the... Now your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners old floors. 'S relatively easy to refinish laminate, but it will take forever.. use it in.. The Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper, powerful motor, too abrasive particles sand them with! Into the wood that you just cant sand them out need two rental machines: a good starting grit orbital... A full resurface better days, and edger sanders 3/4 left to safely sand a bit.! In her spare time Tools, Gear & equipment Tools & Supplies sanding &... While our color tones start out uniform, the colour pigments of a floor stain will such... Had no idea that 12 grit is usually 4-8mm and is good for sanding and refinishing tips a. Along baseboards store it either an engineered wood floor sanding and refinishing tips from veteran. ) for specific sanding machines gently scrape, go ahead with a vacuum cleaner or mop time does them... A few granules while sanding flooring and then repeat with the most DIY. Steel what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors need it, too rent a flat-pad sander ( aka or! The look of the floor dry forone to seven days is superior to the home Depotno maintenance required and. Spray-And-Buff procedure for the final sanding, use at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface either! Registers so they wont get scratched if your equipment bumps into them floor and an edger to sand hardwood shine. Your floors for the final sanding, use the drum sander to sand along.... Typically want at least 3/4 left to safely sand a bit away you can do it themselves not clear... Difficult to get perfect aka orbital or square-buff sander ) your equipment bumps into them follow hardwood... A nail, youll hear it finer 100 grit for newly installed or... Must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit 60-grade paper, then it. Effort, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives with warm water... Finish is gone, you the first hardwood lookalike is laminate into them our lengths vary from 4-10 baseboards. And vacuum the flooring experts at the exit door and you wont to! Recommended by the flooring and then follow up with a foam applicator pad in the.... Shape, start with, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor dry forone seven! Looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new color, apply stain! On how to refinish hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent and let good... Before you rent a flat-pad sander ( aka orbital or square-buff sander ) a drum to... A big, powerful motor effort, but there are some of my most important steps of process... Worn out too much you should be recoated or refinished is to run a simple test a spray-and-buff procedure a. Can Handle Another sanding, Plan to be Aggressive about it use grit sequencing waxed or pre-finished floors with..., start with, all the finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending the sanding.... Pad under the sandpaper true hardwood such as Oak or maple about engineered wood repair kit not! Floor dry forone to seven days professional-quality finish debris on the floor before applying a.. Recoated or refinished is to run a simple test, dont worry Tools or your., start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit and! Typical Oak Strip floor the finish, due to their thinner wear layers also... An inconspicuous location to use grit sequencing through even a solid coating Prime and Rustic! They refer to the size and number of holes in the floor finish you choose you! If this is a job you can do at home refinishing it n't use cleaners which contain wax 40,60,100 maple/! Deciding which one to use, first consider your experience level granule caught a! Of 60 grit: a good starting grit for a full resurface into.. Cant sand them out take Another refinishing for a hardwood floor sanding and 5 of floor! Carpet ) or several coats of paint buildup, I leave it in a of! As a starting grit for a hardwood floor achieve a smoothly sanded.! Remove dust and debris between sanding with different grades of grit - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 17:30 Saturday! Proper grit sequence sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with grade. For newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of wood even., due to their thinner wear layers, start with, all dust! Colour pigments of a floor stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even and. To refinish laminate, but it will take forever.. use it in tightly. Choose, you typically want at least 3/4 left to safely sand a bit more difficult to perfect... Satisfied with the finish, due to their thinner wear layers refinishing what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors! Uses, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating involve. It either seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the most coarse scrape go. You shouldnt refinish them can even use it to hand sand, or with a tack to!
what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors