- 1). Open all windows and doors and place exhaust fans in your work area. This will help to control dust and protect you from the finisher fumes.
- 2). Vacuum the hardwood floor thoroughly with a wet/dry vacuum or a regular vacuum without a beater bar. This will remove surface dirt and dust to expose the floor completely for your finishing techniques.
- 3). Sand the floor to remove the old finish, as well as some light scratches. Use a handheld orbital sander and start with 36-grit sandpaper. Cover the entire floor evenly so that you do not leave dips or bumps in any areas.
- 4). Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove all sanding dust after you complete your first round of sanding. Inspect the floor. Look for any boards that look lighter or more sanded than others. These are indicators of loose floorboards. Screw these boards firmly into place with 2¼-inch screws and a screwdriver to ensure proper stability in your floor.
- 5). Repeat sanding with 50- and 80-grit sandpapers to remove all old finish and scratches and create an even, flat floor. Vacuum in between each sanding session so you don't force dust farther into the floor or create more scratches.
- 6). Pour your polyurethane wood finish into a paint roller tray or wide-mouth bucket for easy access.
- 7). Spread finish into the floor with a lamb's wool applicator. Start in one corner of the room and back-brush, pulling the applicator toward you instead of pushing it away. Apply the finish with the grain of the wood. Never allow the edge of the finish to dry while you are still applying the material, or you will create streaks.
- 8). Coat the entire floor in a thin coat of finish and allow the first coat to dry completely, which will take at least eight to 12 hours.
- 9). Scuff the first layer of finish with 120-grit sandpaper attached to a handheld sander or pole sander, which looks like a broom but has a sanding block attached to the end. This scuffing will make the floor more accepting of the next layer of finish. Vacuum the floor to remove all sanding dust.
- 10
Repeat finish application, drying, and scuffing for four coats of floor finish to ensure a thick, even protective coat. Allow the final coat to dry for 72 hours before adding furniture or allowing heavy foot traffic.
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