There comes a time in every floor’s life that it needs to be re-finished, however, you don’t always have to sand the floor just to revive it. If your floor doesn’t have any major scratches or dents then you may not need to sand at all.If you think your floor qualifies for a sand-free re-finishing job then here are the steps for you to take to get the job done.
Step 1: Clean Up
This seems to be the starting point for any floor re-finishing project. You will want to use an approved wood floor cleaner to get rid of any dirt and/or stains. This may require a little elbow grease but it will pay off in the long run.
Step 2: Assess Your Floor
Now is the time to determine if your floor has been previously finished with an oil or a lacquered-base product. It may be a little tricky determining if your floor is oiled or varnished but here are a few tips to help you figure it out.
Oiled Wood Floor
- Wears easily.
- Typically darker in colour and may have a hint of orange to it.
- Oiled floors usually stain easily.
Lacquered Wood Floor
- Usually has a shinier look.
- Doesn’t wear as quickly as an oiled floor.
- Tends to be a lighter colour.
Once you determine the type of finish you have, you can decide what product you will need to use to re-finish the floor. If your floor was oiled in the past then it is probably best to pick up a Hardwax Oil for the re-finishing job. On the other hand, if your floor was previously lacquered then you will want to buy Polyurethane lacquer.
Step 3: Buff the Floor
You will need a buffer for this step, which will lightly sand the top layer of your hardwood floor. This will remove the old seal and prepare your floor for the new finish.
When buffing, try to keep it even and swing the buffer from left to right. Never leave your buffer in one spot as it may burn your floor.
Step 4: Vacuum the Floor
There always seems to be a lot of cleaning up during floor re-finishing projects. You will want to do an excellent job at vacuuming your floor. Make sure you get the edges and every part of your floor is spotless.
Step 5: Apply the Finish
This is the last step of the process. You will now need to evenly apply the oil or lacquer to your floor. Try to do several thin coats instead of one thick coat as it will look better and dry quicker.
Wait at least 72 hours before doing anything with your floor. Give it time to fully dry and cure.
