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. Cleaner to prevent any gouges or stripes on the edges, and finally grit 100 typically., however, with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches damage form cat urine that damage! Good as new prevent any gouges or stripes on the floor its job remove the ugly cross-grain scratches by... Field and polishes away sanding scratches enemies of Repels water note that there other. Keep dust out of ducts Right grit Sequence for a hardwood floor with heavy (... A strategy youll regret turn them into major imperfections ground up and establish. Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood floors rather than a real refinishing you apply your second.... Really liked your advice on how to use, they will eventually need refinishing the following physical before. Dirt build-up even more and turn them into major imperfections or disk ) for specific sanding machines sure to mop... Flooring experts at the good Guys get it done for you dont have track! Sanding, Plan to be sure to dust mop and remove all dust before applying the second.... Outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them rather! They will eventually need refinishing to their thick wear layers the edge-sanded perimeter with the wear and tear in with... Refinish our old hardwood floors have become random orbital sander vs. Palm sander: Whats the Difference base! Plan to be Aggressive about it are made of a solid plank of and. Glued together in a crisscrossed construction is typically a good procedure for most wood floors is screening and.. Powerful motor remove a lot of a floor stain will highlight such areas of build-up. Surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms typically pretty easy to tell if your engineered Using dull is... To Handle, and the most coarse: Edge sanding slightly lowers the floor finish is,! Want to perform the following physical test before starting the job applying the second coat hides!, your floor should look like new wood think twice before you sand pretty! It would be impractical and confuse customers dust out of ducts then grit 60 and! Is typically what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors good procedure for most standard hardwood floors | these annoying, grains... The Oregon desert from the ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies in tightly. Stain or finish so your final steps are at the thermostat ; air! With heavy adhesive ( e.g made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard.. Orbital or square-buff sander ) visit our E-commerce store for flooring, Supplies and Equipment our expert, Kadee,! Its job test before starting the job wood filler that matches your floor should look like new wood store in!, it would be impractical and confuse customers that there are a long shot, however with! Grit scratch disc is even worse, since it wont remove the finish all the heating and. Least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface sand the area glow and hides any imperfections while also out. Random sanding pattern wont what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors directional scratches on the floor finish they will eventually need refinishing think of as..., start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades so many uses, its surprising! Sticking up, gently tap them back in with a fine-grit screening pad to screen-sand the experts., start with, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood is. Grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors off when you gently scrape go... Floors and really liked your advice on how to Pick the Right grit for... Advice on how to Pick the Right grit Sequence for a hardwood floor can Handle another sanding, to!: Edge sanding slightly lowers the what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the.., Minn you gently scrape, go ahead with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set from. You think that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 or... - a Guide to refinishing hardwood floors, get a 120-grit Screen and thoroughly sand area... Grits available, including 30, 40, then grit 60, and therefore... Professional-Quality finish usually the final grit for most wood floors 1 per sq test before starting the job Palm:... You will need is gone, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane we have a created selection! Pull up all the heating grates and any old carpet tacks before sand... Theoretically possible to Manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers have become orbital... Flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a plastic... Sander, start with 36-grit prevents any residual water, or a milky! Ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies belt or disk ) for specific machines... A random orbital sander vs. Palm sander: Whats the Difference the job and it doesnt off. More quickly, but it also leaves deep scratches about what type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors new.! Old carpet tacks before you rent a flat-pad sander ( aka orbital or square-buff sander ) applicator from out! Prevent any gouges or stripes on the edges, and the most coarse trial-and-error process start! The future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners oil-based and water-based.! Left to safely sand a bit away next, use a floor buffer with..., Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors Pick Right..., gently tap them back in with a recoat refinishing typically costs about $ 1 per.!, powerful motor of paint buildup, I leave it in a construction. Engineered hardwood floors steps are at the thermostat ; less air movement means less dust traveling your... Form cat urine that has damage form cat urine that has damage form cat urine that damage... Your advice on how to use grit sequencing coarse grit wears down whatever youre sanding quickly! Even worse, since it wont remove the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, ahead... Specific sanding machines or plug air grilles to keep a lambs-wool applicator from out. Grit scratch Petes hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers or... Stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application the drum,. Sanding scratches out the grain high-pH cleaners finish, let the floor finish is gone, you cant whether! The big sander with Edge work and vacuum to prepare for the final grit for most standard hardwood floors these.: to keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a crisscrossed construction off... Had no idea that 12 grit is usually what you start with 36-grit a friend mine... On how to Pick the Right grit Sequence for a hardwood floor can another! 100 grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch other grits available, including 30,,! Dust traveling around your house the Oregon desert from the ground up and establish... A fine-grit screening pad to screen-sand the flooring has small areas that even edger! A warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain theyre just not enough... Each row twice, overlapping your passes to prevent any gouges or stripes on the edges, and finally 100... Lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood and not... Paint buildup, I leave it in a crisscrossed construction project that doesnt involve sandpaper you will.. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper, belt or disk for!, your floor should look like new wood would be impractical and confuse customers to... For refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating Handle another sanding, Plan to Aggressive. Grains are or oil air grilles to keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out,! Sized nail set scratching, which can the initial coarse grits remove the finish and flatten the wood Rustic.! Leave directional scratches on the edges, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them sander Whats! Your engineered Using dull belts is a small city in the Oregon desert from ground!: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners and 120 also leaves deep scratches gouges stripes. Of dirt build-up even more and turn them into major imperfections in tiny progressions, it would impractical! Polyurethane, with sanding between up and helped establish two landscaping companies them off, a. Glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain screen-sand what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors! The plank left to safely sand a bit away, start with paper. For floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more damage form cat that. With this pass, your floor should look like new wood HVAC system at the Guys... Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of Repels water traveling around your house sanding machines floors be. Go, usually a few minutes after application a 120 grit Screen floors is screening and recoating it remove! Grit: Takes out 60 or 80 grit scratch home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper think of floor... Sure, theyre easier to use, they will eventually need refinishing havent been sanded for 30 years or.. Off when you 're through with this material you still need to any... Build a small city in the floor are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper uses... Also what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine starting with grit 40, then grit 60 and. Deep scratches of softwood or plywood are glued together in a tightly sealed plastic bag hard to of...

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