- 1). Unplug the sander, if necessary, and load the sandpaper. Begin with the coarsest sandpaper, which is usually 36-grit. Open the access panel on the bottom of the sander. Guide the sandpaper into the loading slot and turn the drum until it completes a full rotation. This will allow you to guide the remaining end of the sandpaper into the loading slot. Tighten the nuts or clamps on the drum to secure the sandpaper. A small wrench, usually provided with the sander, is required.
- 2). Position the sander as close to the right-hand wall as possible with approximately two-thirds of the hardwood floor in front of you. The sander should face the same direction as the floorboards, thus allowing you to sand with the grain.
- 3). Plug the sander into an electrical outlet. If the cord on the sander isn't long, use a quality extension cord. Ensure the lever that controls whether the sandpaper is raised or lowered is in the "Up" position. The sandpaper must be raised off of the floor before you turn on the sander.
- 4). Tilt the sander back, turn the sander on and lower the sandpaper lever. Tilt the sander forward and begin sanding the floor. As you move forward, walk at an even, steady pace. Do not allow the sander to remain motionless in one spot, as it will quickly gouge the hardwood floor.
- 5). Tilt the sander back and raise the lever to lift the sandpaper as you near the wall. The size of the sander will not allow you sand right up to the wall. The edges of the floor must be sanded with an edge sander. Allow enough room between the sander and the wall to complete a turn.
- 6). Turn the sander and position it so that the next pass will overlap the previous by approximately 2 inches. Lower the sandpaper lever and tilt the sander forward in the same manner as before. Continue sanding the first two-thirds of the floor using this technique, then sand the remaining one-third of the floor. Overlap the area between the two sections by roughly 3 feet. This will blend the first two-thirds of the floor with the final third.
- 7). Sand around the edges of the room, as well as any closets, with a small edge sander. An edge sander is easy to use. Simply load the disc of sandpaper; the same grit as you used on the large drum sander. Turn on the sander and sand the edges of the floor with the grain of the wood. Overlap the already-sanded areas by about 6 inches to blend. Do not apply extra pressure on the edge sander in an attempt to sand more quickly, as this will gouge the floor. Vacuum the floor.
- 8). Change the sandpaper in the drum sander to a medium, 60-grit sandpaper. Re-sand the floor using the same technique. Use the same sandpaper in the edge sander. If necessary, sand the floor a third time with fine, 120-grit sandpaper. Vacuum between each round of sanding.
- 9). Sand the corners of the floor by hand, if necessary. Often, the edge sander will not fit perfectly into the corner. Sand the corners so that they blend with the rest of the hardwood floor. Once you've finished sanding, the hardwood floor should be smooth enough to receive a stain or sealant.
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