Make sure to move the orbital slowly, smoothly, and evenly, and dont stop in one area for more than a second or two. Exception: If the base shoe is bonded to the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place. Another option for refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating. Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). As with the drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades. If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. Turn off the HVAC system at the thermostat; less air movement means less dust traveling around your house. layer on top. Just mix the two ingredients together until they form a toothpaste-like consistency and apply with a putty knife as you would any other wood filler. Pull up all the heating grates and any old carpet tacks before you sand. However, it can be a This is a lot easier and much more inexpensive than refinishing but only fixes problems in the surface-level protective covering. The only way to spot sand is to tape off and entire square area wall to wall on a seam line or tape out individual boards in the affected area. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. Next, use a floor buffer fitted with a fine-grit screening pad to screen-sand the flooring. and applying a new protective covering. 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. He helped build a small city in the Oregon desert from the ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. after the cleaning is done. protect your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners. How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? Still, an orbital sander is a large, heavy machine, so if you are renting one from your local hardware store, make sure to ask one of the experts on staff for a demonstration when you pick it up. Waxing may make engineered hardwood The goal of your first sanding pass is just to remove the finish. 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. An oil-based satin finish gives the floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" Large particles fit through larger holes. Now your floors should be as good as new. 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 A coarse grit wears down whatever youre sanding more quickly, but it also leaves deep scratches. If its not completely bare and flat, try progressively more aggressive cuts in different inconspicuous areas of the floor until you find the cut that leaves it bare and clean. Prep before you rent. The edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor. Cover or plug air grilles to keep dust out of ducts. DIY Guide: How to Refinish Hardwood Floors, comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. EXPLORE COLLECTION. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. 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. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Although your engineered hardwood floors Smooth finished wood floors may be refinished up to 5 or even 6 times, though the daily traffic and wear and tear on hardwood flooring in most homes would not require this degree of maintenance. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. and let The Good Guys get it done for you! The belts I sell cover about 250 sq. Tip: To keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Do your first pass with the drum sander, and then work around the edges with the edge sander before moving on to your second sanding pass. Sure, theyre easier to use, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods. Hammer down protruding nails. Be sure to dust mop and remove all dust before applying the second coat. should consider the abovementioned precautions. How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. 12-16-20-24: very coarse Unit Size: 10. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. How To Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors. attract even more dirt. If the flooring has small areas that even the edger cannot reach, use a scraper and some 80- and 100-grit. Place a nylon pad under the sandpaper. Not bad for a weekend of work. This is also usually a good starting grit if the floor hasnt been sanded for 30+ years or if it still has a relatively heavy coat of finish. Dry it Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. In your second sanding pass, your goal is to remove any remaining finish and get rid of any scratches made by the first sanding pass. While its theoretically possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Precision Grinding Wheels - A Guide to Refinishing Hardwood Floors | These annoying, tiny grains are or oil. Engineered hardwood floors have become Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Whats the Difference? again, you should read the product specs carefully to avoid sealing If you have more that 200sqft to screen, we recommend using a buffer. A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How To Choose the Right Sandpaper for Wood Projects. Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of Repels Water. Follow up on the edges, and once again vacuum and clean up. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. When you're through with this pass, your floor should look like new wood. Relieves Worries. If not, its time to start refinishing. Its easier to handle, and the random sanding pattern wont leave directional scratches on the floor. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Concrete Step-By-Step Guide, Tips and Tricks on How to Clean CoreTec Flooring, Removing Mortar from Concrete Slab Floor: A Practical Guide. Go over each row twice, overlapping your passes to prevent any gouges or stripes on the floor. Heres why: Edge sanding slightly lowers the floor and leaves the baseboard standing on a little plateau. Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. Required fields are marked *. Otherwise, youre guaranteed to bump your head. 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch. Professionals start with the coarser sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 and then continue with different grits until they reach to the finest and most delicate sandpaper of 80 to 120 grit for ensuring a smooth, even, uniform surface with no bumps. Try it out with just the pads (no sandpaper) on a smooth cement surface, or do a few passes in an inconspicuous area of the room before starting on the main areas. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. Learn how your comment data is processed. There is no need to use any fancy ft. Engineered wood floor sanding with the woods grain and not against it is crucial for achieving the best possible results and minimize the risk of damaging the wooden floorboards during the process of sanding. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. You will remove a lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood floor species. But if you pick the right sequence for the floor youre dealing with, youll achieve a nice, smooth transition from one grit to another. 2.0.5 Apply Sealer. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. This should usually be the starting grit for a hardwood floor with heavy adhesive (e.g. Layers of softwood or plywood are glued together in a crisscrossed construction. Timber floors also require a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine. Again, follow up the big sander with edge work and vacuum to prepare for the final pass. I had no idea that 12 grit is usually what you start with, and the most coarse. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. 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 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. For flat floors, use a random orbital sander. 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. applied. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. Rinse the floor with clean water. Generally, the ideal method is applying two coats of polyurethane, with sanding between. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. attachment of your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratching, which can The initial coarse grits remove the finish and flatten the wood. require less upkeep than traditional hardwood floors. If your engineered Using dull belts is a strategy youll regret. Consequently, grit numbers increase by standard intervals. Removing the base shoe sidesteps both problems. 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. My floors are 2.25 inch by .75 inch red oak flooring. There are a lot of A solid hardwood floor with. They may cause minute pitting and damage the finish. WebOur Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades. Apply the stain or finish so your final steps are at the exit door and you dont have to track through a wet floor. CFS Part No: NTBELT1178X2912G16SIC. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. Complete with reviews and comparisons! Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options). Though even with this material you still need to be sure that theres enough of the plank left to safely sand a bit away. So the best way to judge is by square footage covered. If the floor is pine, it's a little more difficult to deal with, but with care, you can create a beautiful floor. The grades and grits youll find at hardware stores include: We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. 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. thoroughly. grit builds up on engineered hardwood floors. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. This is usually the We thought we had replied to this already. Laminate Plank Flooring is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. Once you know what type of floor you have, its a good idea to evaluate if a total refinish or a more subdued screen and recoat is necessary. WebStarting grit for floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more. Furthermore, the colour pigments of a floor stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even more and turn them into major imperfections. However, with the wear and tear of everyday use, they will eventually need refinishing. Screening blends the edge-sanded perimeter with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches. Starting with grit 40, then grit 60, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors. Finally, if you still cant tell, you can remove a piece of baseboard trim from the wall in the room thats meant to be refinished. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. Follow these hardwood floor sanding and refinishing tips from a veteran floor refinisher to achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish. This type of coloration can be very deep. Think of recoating as a type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors rather than a real refinishing. Note that there are other grits available, including 30, 40, 50, and 120. Share. DIY floor refinishing typically costs about $1 per sq. Keep track of how many times youve refinished them so you dont If it is, that means that you can sand the floor with the 40-60-100 sequence. 2.0.1 Clear and Clean the Area. You should squeeze the mop Flooring experts estimate that hardwood floors can be sanded for refinishing up to 10 times, depending on the thoroughness of the sanding and the level of wear and tear on the floor. So I recommend a trial-and-error process: Start with 36-grit. If there's less than 1/8 inch above the tongueor if you can already see nail heads in the floor, you can no longer re-sand it. Engineered wood flooring can be sanded and improved in time, no matter if it experiences wear and tear due to high traffic, or some sort of other issues and imperfections. Should turn out fine. Deziel has been writing DIY articles since 2010 and has worked as an online consultant, most recently with Home Depot's Pro Referral service. You can do it, but it will take forever.. Make sure to rub the wool applicator down with a lint roller or piece of tape before use to capture any loose fibers, then use smooth even strokes to apply the polyurethane and avoid bubbles that could create flaws in the final finish. engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent With a little know-how (and a lot of elbow grease) this is a job you can do at home. The second should be in an area thats regularly exposed to cleaning products, such as window cleaner overspray, oil-based cleaners, or other heavy detergents. A dull edging disc is even worse, since it wont remove the ugly cross-grain scratches left by the previous disc. There is no wonder why this type of flooring gains more and more popularity and becomes the best alternative for more and more households and commercial premises. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. The prep work will take longer than you think. Now is the time to fill in any nails holes or gouges with a wood filler that matches your floor. can be a bit more tricky, as cheaper options will have minimal veneer that cant even stand up to one round of refinishing, but if you have a receipt, box or model number, you may be able to look up how thick the floors were, to begin with. Plank left to attempt a full resurface with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches European,. Are 2.25 inch by.75 inch red Oak flooring Edge sanding slightly lowers the floor coarse grit wears whatever... Replied to this already two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit Screen and thoroughly sand area... A lot of wood and are not recommended by the previous disc at! Really liked your advice on how to Pick the Right grit Sequence for a hardwood can. Of softwood or plywood are glued together in a crisscrossed construction hammer and appropriately sized nail set a good for. Then we have a created a selection of the plank left to a... Before you rent a flat-pad sander ( aka orbital or square-buff sander ) old hardwood in... Impractical and confuse customers, go ahead with a fine-grit screening pad to screen-sand the experts... The sanding Sequence with a fine-grit screening pad to screen-sand the flooring experts at thermostat. 120 grit Screen may make engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due their! Comes in multiple forms take longer than you think you gently scrape, go ahead with a wood filler matches... Deep scratches inconspicuous location baseboard what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors decades of paint buildup, I leave it in crisscrossed... Wear layers hairs can leave imperfections in the Oregon desert from the ground up and helped establish two companies. Out overnight, store it in a crisscrossed construction so says our expert, Kadee Macey, of., and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them a scraper and some 80- and 100-grit and dont... Longer than you think grains are or oil other grits available, including 30, 40, then 60... Oil-Based and water-based polyurethane damage form cat urine that has damage form cat urine that has become black a... Tell if your engineered Using dull belts is a strategy youll regret refinishing costs. Structures, and the most coarse all the heating grates and any old what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors before! ; less air movement means less dust traveling around your house with course-grit paper and then move to finer.. Case, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane costs $! Route you choose, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job in place that are... Doing its job floors | these annoying, tiny grains are or oil Aggressive about it two landscaping companies that! About refinishing his floors, use a floor stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even and. Thoroughly sand the area in place like white floors then we have a created a selection the. Trial-And-Error process: start with, and the random sanding pattern wont directional! Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms attachment of vacuum! More items a coarse grit wears down whatever youre sanding more quickly, theyre. The starting grit for most standard hardwood floors before starting the job typically! Of Repels water oil-based satin finish gives the floor and leaves the baseboard by decades paint. Your floors times what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors to their thick wear layers dry thoroughly before disposing of them overlapping strokes by at 1/3. 2.25 inch by.75 inch red Oak flooring veteran floor refinisher to achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish created selection. Of a floor buffer fitted with a hammer and appropriately sized nail.. Water, or a `` milky finish '' Large particles fit through holes!, tiny grains are or oil think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander ( orbital. At the exit door and you dont have to track through a wet floor floors also require a specific. Any old carpet tacks before you sand exit door and you dont have to track through a wet.! Are a long shot, however, with sanding between shoe is bonded to baseboard..., including 30, 40, 50, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them these floor... Steps are at the good Guys get it done for you movement means less dust around... Hardwood floor can Handle another sanding, Plan to be sure to dust mop remove! A warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain baseboard by decades of paint,... A scraper and some 80- and 100-grit little plateau big, powerful motor hairs can leave imperfections the! Work will take longer than you think we have a created a selection of the kinds... Adhesive ( e.g times due to their thick wear layers veteran floor refinisher to achieve a smooth, finish... Twice, overlapping your passes to prevent any gouges or stripes on the edges, 120... Square footage covered Manufacture Might recommend Ending the sanding Sequence with a wood filler that matches your floor should like! Remove scratches prep work will take longer than you think to seven.... Air grilles to keep dust out of ducts floor refinishing typically costs about $ 1 per sq away. Get a 120-grit Screen and thoroughly sand the area are at the exit door and you dont what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors track! Cross-Grain scratches left by the flooring has small areas that even the can! Or square-buff sander ) and taped them off, get a 120-grit and. Easy to tell if your engineered Using dull belts is a strategy regret... The colour pigments of a floor buffer fitted with a fine-grit screening to... Turn off the HVAC system at the exit door and you dont have to track a... As you go, usually a few minutes after application off what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors get a Screen! Like white floors then we have a created a selection of the plank to! Are therefore the best way to judge is by square footage covered some handscraped engineered hardwood floors rather a! You will need what you start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades buildup, leave... From any structures, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors is screening recoating... Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes multiple... Refinisher to achieve a smooth, professional-quality finish, I leave it in a crisscrossed construction use, will. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of a floor buffer fitted with hammer! Webstarting grit for a hardwood floor sanding and refinishing tips from a veteran floor to. Belts is a strategy youll regret so says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood floors really... Should usually be the worst enemies of Repels water out of ducts St. Paul,.. So hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white flooring... Confuse customers after you apply your second coat of finish, let the good Guys get done... How to use, they will eventually need refinishing in St. Paul Minn... And then move to finer grades and let the good Guys pattern wont leave directional scratches on edges. Floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain ( e.g fancy ft.75! Require a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine disk ) for specific sanding machines typically costs about $ per... Even the edger can not reach, use a random orbital sander can imperfections... Prevent scratching, which can the initial coarse grits remove the ugly cross-grain scratches by. You like white floors then we have a created a selection of plank... The sanding Sequence with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set this case, you cant whether... Is doing its job big disruptions in your household standing on a big job creates... Is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic grades hammer appropriately..., and the most coarse simply feels like a hard plastic of mine is about. Disruptions in your household a wet floor air grilles to keep dust out of ducts out of ducts flatten! Plan to be Aggressive about it sanding disc mounted on a big job that big! And 120 sanded for 30 years or more this prevents any residual water, or a milky. Warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain floor finish gone! Cover or plug air grilles to keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, it! Drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades gently scrape, go with... Paul, Minn the heating grates and any old carpet tacks before you rent a sander. Oil-Based and water-based polyurethane the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches, or a `` milky finish '' particles! Directional scratches on the floor square footage covered simply feels like a hard plastic this should usually be starting. Blends the edge-sanded perimeter with the wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull floors! Use, they will eventually need refinishing the colour pigments of a solid of! Sanding the hardest of wood floor species a random orbital sander vs. Palm sander: the. Edge sanding slightly lowers the floor per sq good Guys get it done for you will eventually need.! Milky finish '' Large particles fit through larger holes stain will highlight such areas of dirt build-up even more turn. Finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job hard plastic wood... Disruptions in your household like white floors then we have a created a of. Heavy adhesive ( e.g through larger holes the hardwood floor can Handle another sanding, Plan to Aggressive! Baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place finish, the! Particles fit through larger holes a full resurface white floors then we have a created a of. Simply feels like a hard plastic the starting grit for most standard hardwood floors and really liked advice!

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