How To Finish Wood Floors Yourself

Find the detailed instructions on sanding and refinishing hardwood flooring here.

How to finish wood floors yourself.

Pick at least two test areas on the floor. Apply the first of two coats of finish wax or other floor finish such as polyurethane or varnish. A step by step video for a home owner on how to use various wood floor sanders and how to apply the finish. Be sure to provide plenty of ventilation and wear a respirator.

Use a shop vacuum with a brush head to clean the floor thoroughly and then follow with a sticky tack cloth to remove any remaining particles image 1. Apply the finish with a lamb s wool applicator in smooth even lines while avoiding drips. Unlike waxes or other hardwood floor refinisher products that provide a short term shine this added coat will last for years and extend the life of your floor. When each coat dries sand the floor lightly with 220 grit paper or 000 steel wool.

Before you start sanding remove everything from the room and vacuum the floor. Options for clear film finishes include oil or water based polyurethane acrylic urethane shellac. Wait at least 24 hours after the final coat dries before moving furniture into the room. When applying a finish it s always best to apply several thin coats rather than a heavy one.

Consider three coats of oil based finish or four coats of water based finish. One in a high traffic zone the other along a wall or in a closet. Follow the directions on the finish container for drying time between coats. Apply the final coat.

In order for the stain to penetrate the wood evenly use a technique called water popping. Remove shoe moulding the wood trim where the wall meets the floor. Remove all the furniture and spray the floor with a hardwood flooring cleaner or your own mix of 10 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. Area with sanding screen.

Close the windows and doors to keep dust contained in the room you re sanding. Gently wipe the floor with a terry cloth mop or a towel wrapped around a mop head. You ll need to sand the entire floor not just one section. If you oiled the wood you can also use floor wax.

Clean each area with a wood floor cleaner and roughen a 6 x 6 in. Wipe down walls to prevent dust from falling to the floor as your finish is drying. Watch how to refinish hardwood floors instead of having to replace them. Many finishes take 24 hours to dry.