How To Finish Wood Floors Yourself

Wait at least 24 hours after the final coat dries before moving furniture into the room.

How to finish wood floors yourself.

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 final coat. When each coat dries sand the floor lightly with 220 grit paper or 000 steel wool. One in a high traffic zone the other along a wall or in a closet.

Many finishes take 24 hours to dry. Close the windows and doors to keep dust contained in the room you re sanding. When applying a finish it s always best to apply several thin coats rather than a heavy one. Clean each area with a wood floor cleaner and roughen a 6 x 6 in.

Find the detailed instructions on sanding and refinishing hardwood flooring here. Before you start sanding remove everything from the room and vacuum the floor. Gently wipe the floor with a terry cloth mop or a towel wrapped around a mop head. Sanding the floor will kick up a lot of dust so protect light fixtures and tape over electrical outlets.

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. Remove shoe moulding the wood trim where the wall meets the floor. A step by step video for a home owner on how to use various wood floor sanders and how to apply the finish. Wipe down walls to prevent dust from falling to the floor as your finish is drying.

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. Apply the finish with a lamb s wool applicator in smooth even lines while avoiding drips. Watch how to refinish hardwood floors instead of having to replace them. Options for clear film finishes include oil or water based polyurethane acrylic urethane shellac.

Area with sanding screen. Be sure to provide plenty of ventilation and wear a respirator. If you oiled the wood you can also use floor wax. Follow the directions on the finish container for drying time between coats.

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. Roughen up two test areas and then coat them with urethane to begin refinishing hardwood floors. In order for the stain to penetrate the wood evenly use a technique called water popping.