The Best Way to Refinish Hardwood Floors Like A Pro

Step 1: Prepare your floors to sand! Take away all carpet tacks, nails, or any other object off the floor. We also suggest removing all baseboards - this step isn't required; however, it will make the job much simpler. We'll be installing new moldings throughout the house. It was sensible to dispose of the baseboards that were in place prior to the flooring project.

Step 2: By using the belt sander and 60 grit of sandpaper, begin sanding your floor. Make sure you sand in the grain. The next step is to get your edge sander. With 60-grit sandpaper, work along the edges and perimeters, and sand the corners of the room thoroughly. Repeat the process using the belt sander as well as edge sanders with 80-grit sandpaper. Followed by 120-grit sandpaper.

Step 3: Make use of the shop vac to remove dust and other debris off the floor. Clean it afterward.

Step 4: This step is crucial in how staining is done. It's known as water popping. It's the act of wetting the wood so that it raises the grain, opening up the pores, which allows for the wood's surface to take in more stain. This will result in an appealing, even, and saturated color. To achieve this, you need to soak the rags in water, squeeze them out, then clean the floor with uniformity.

Step 5: Now is the time to begin staining! Utilizing the Minwax oil-based stain, dip an applicator pad in the stain and apply it on the floor by the grain. Begin in the corner of each room, and move towards the door. When a section is completed, it's vital to clean and soak up any stain that remains with a clean and dry application pad! Clean the floor five planks at one time. Beware of the roller applicator in home improvement stores. We have tried it on one area, and it didn't work well. It is possible to manage the staining process quicker when you apply it with your hands! It's more neat, even, and requires much less time for drying.

Step 6: Let the one layer of staining set over at a minimum of 24 to 48 hours (this may vary depending on temperature or humidity in your area).

Step 7: Apply the initial coat of Poly using a smooth foam roller. It should be a thin coat! Let it dry for two hours.

Step 8: Buff the floors using a 220-grit screen. Following buffing, wash and clean the floor thoroughly. It's now time to put on the 2nd coat! Repeat this process until you have applied three or four coats of poly. You can apply three coats across the entire area, with the exception of high-traffic zones, where you can apply four coats. That's it! Once you've applied the polyurethane, your floors are finished.

To get the most out of your floors and all the effort you've put into them, we recommend only moderate usage (walking in socks) within 24 hours. After two weeks, you'll be able to relocate your furniture to the flooring; however, avoid using rugs or other textiles for at minimum 7 to 10 days.