Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). WebOur Textures Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades. Its possible to do the corners by hand as well, but it will take significantly more time and effort. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. Your email address will not be published. Learning how to refinish hardwood floors can be a time-intensive process that involves multiple steps. The top of each plank is 100% wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles. It will almost certainly be a focal point. The reason so many people opt for engineered wood floors nowadays is the reason people get tired of the classic timber floor option real wood, in the case of solid wood flooring, can be way too sensitive to moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations and prone to damages. Timber floors also require a very specific cleaning and maintenance routine. For the final sanding, use at least 80 grit sandpaper. ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. Use a random-orbit sander for flat floors. To help you get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the sanding process. 30-36-40: coarse Tip: Eachtime youre ready to change grades on the drum sander, make sure you use the edger using the same grade sandpaper to keep the entire floor sanded at a uniform consistency. again, you should read the product specs carefully to avoid sealing 2.0.6 Apply Wood Stain Evenly. Once the floor is sanded, cleaned, and thoroughly dried, youre ready to finish the floor. For most jobs they just dont work.. Unit Size: 10. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Spot sanding and touching up is very difficult to blend back in. The core is 5 to 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded together. When it comes to hardwood flooring, our wood floor consultants have seen it all. Youll need two different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit. It should go without saying though, that you shouldnt use any oil- or chemical-based cleaners on the floor as they may affect the ability of the final layer to adhere to the wood. Be prepared for the buffer to swing to the right or left depending on how you position the handle, making broad arcs across the floor to get a smooth surface. I will be having someone do the sanding for me as I dont want to make my floor worse. Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Fresh, sharp belts sand faster and deliver better results. Engineered wood flooring is usually 4-8mm and is good for sanding and refinishing. CFS Part No: NTBELT1178X2912G16SIC. Keep the buffer in motion at all times to avoid leaving any marks. If you splash water droplets on the floor and they soak in immediately, that indicates that the wood fibers are exposed and the floor needs refinishing. If DIY is not for you, knowing the process it takes to bring your floor back to life can help you determine which path to take -- whether refinishing or replacing -- and an understanding of what to expect along the way. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. Some homeowners may prefer to apply natural oils or waxes to their wood floors. as soon as you are done mopping as it will remove any leftover The coarsest sandpaper grades and grits are generally used with machines, such as belt and drum sanders, while the finest grades come on waterproof sheets that can be combined with water for polishing. and applying a new protective covering. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. layer on top. Sweep or vacuum the floor before you move up to the next grit. Also, remove any doors that will block wood thresholds, and go over the entire floor carefully searching for nails or other objects protruding up from the floor that may tear or damage a sanding pad. The higher the number, the finer the grit. 2.0.4 Clean Up Dust And Hair. Consider these tips when refinishing hardwood floors. Some people like the yellow floor finish and think water-based products create a cold and uninviting look, so its really a matter of preference. ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. I sanded my whole floor with a starting grit of 80. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. Then check the hardwoodfloor. Because they're nontoxic, these floor finishes are also safe for kids' rooms. 3 Conclusion. You want to start with a more abrasive grit and then use successively finer grits. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. And a 36-grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the floor. WebREPEL Hardwood. Water stains usually disappear after a couple of passes of the sander. Share. are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. Youll also be tempted to polish out swirls with a random orbit sander. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. microfiber or sponge mop. protect your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners. Youll get expertise at no extra expense. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. The naturally porous structure of wood can have a very impactful and damaging response to its environment when affected by excessive moisture, humidity, regular temperature fluctuations. The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. Vinegar is acidic, so it could also hurt the finish. How To Tell If Your Hardwood Floor Will Withstand a Refinish. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. An edger can be difficult to control, so practice your technique on scrap wood first. can follow to keep your floors pristine. A simple tool, but not so simple to use. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of But the dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches left by the previous grit. WebYour floor needs to be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the best finish. So rough up scraped areas with 80- or 100-grit paper. WebEngineered Hardwood Floors. 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. Tip: If you choose not to stain, apply a sanding sealer before the polyurethane finish. When it comes to sanding a hardwood floor, grit sequence is everything. If you dont sand deep enough, youll end up with a dingy floor.. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Engineered Wood floors are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. It is advisable to avoid Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. We are considering using a sequenced sanding process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer. Heres why: Edge sanding slightly lowers the floor and leaves the baseboard standing on a little plateau. After youve prepped the room, its time to start sanding. Before you buy a wood floor cleaner, you Here are some steps DIYers often dont think of: Rent a drum sander with continuous belts and a lift-lower lever for better control. Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later. 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 24-grit doesnt remove at least three-quarters of the finish in one pass, go to 16-grit. moisture. Sanding and stripping require coarse sandpaper with a grit of 40 to 60 grit; smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections require 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. Surfaces can be polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a grit of 360 to 400grit. This grit takes out the scratch from 36-grit sandpaper, but does not remove much wood . And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Find two areas on your floor and tape off a square of about 6 by 6 inches The first should be an area that represents the heaviest flaws you have in your floor to see if theyre repairable with a recoat. If the floor is pine, it's a little more difficult to deal with, but with care, you can create a beautiful floor. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor. If the floor is in bad shape, you will probably want to start with a 30 or 24-grit cut for the first test cut. The floor will accept the finish evenly and look great. In terms of application, each has pros and cons as well. Its WebFor the middle of the floor you can use a pole sander with a 120-grit screen, or a floor buffer with a pad and a 150-grit screen. WebThe Grit Sandpaper with different grit should be used during the process of sanding of engineered wood floor in order to achieve the smoothest surface possible and get rid of 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. When it hits a nail, youll hear it. to Engineered Hardwood Floors, How to Screen and Recoat Engineered Replace the abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet for most effective results. Engineered wood flooring skyrocketed with popularity and the appreciation of people. This finish is an ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and doesn't require much maintenance. Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. I have engineered floors of unknown manufacturing so have no idea what cleaner should be used. It is usually polyurethane based, but you should check with Just remember not to use anything that may scratch or penetrate the Engineered hardwood floors have become Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! Edge or detail sanders come in handy for reaching to all corners of the room and other areas that are hard to access. Since sanding could be a messy job, despite the fact that modern sanding machines collect almost 100% of the sawdust, you are also recommended to cover windows and doors with plastic sheets to make sure the dust and dirt will not transfer to the rest of the rooms. While our color tones start out uniform, the aging process begins immediately upon unpacking, Finally, you should note that even engineered hardwood floors are made of real wood, even if they aren't made from solid planks of wood. Once again, work back and forth, overlapping each pass. Check for squeaks and secure loose floorboards with. You should squeeze the mop 2.0.5 Apply Sealer. Use clean cotton cloths or paper towels to remove excess stain. This cushion minimizes gouges and deep swirls. Floors that are cupped How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? Consider floor care and refinishing tool rental to get your project done. And then theres that big, scary sanding machine. Next, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the sanding process. Repels Water. You need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. But dont. 12-16-20-24: very coarse If youre interested in refinishing or recoating the hardwood floors in your home, but the thought of managing it all on your own is too much to bear, drop us a line and let The Good Guys get it done for you! 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). Prefinished Eng White Oak; View All Prefinished Engineered. Edging with a belt sander is like digging a ditch with a trowel. The solution water will dissolve the There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. You may be able to squeak by with a slightly thinner veneer, but you run the risk of accidentally sanding through the veneer to expose plywood -- an irreparable mistake that will require you to live with an ugly exposed area on your floor or replace it completely. ft., my DIY customers save $1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors by doing it themselves. Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a particular piece of sandpaper. would have more of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult to refinish. Woodworkers use it to smooth and shape wood. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. These methods are a long shot, however, and are not recommended by the flooring experts at The Good Guys. WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? This time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as the next step will be to apply a finishing agent. Sanding against the great means that soon or later the floorboards of engineered wood will start struggling with and experiencing wear and tear and other issues that can grow major and even later require for costly and time-consuming repair services. Brand: Norton. They refer to the size and number of holes in the screens that filter the abrasive particles. However, they are not that easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition for a long time. Make sure to move the orbital slowly, smoothly, and evenly, and dont stop in one area for more than a second or two. Remove debris on the floor with a vacuum cleaner or mop. Would no acids in the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid? The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. Drum sanders are very aggressive and can be difficult to control, so they are typically not recommended for DIY beginners. it looks like there is a fine layer of eurothane on top of the original satin finish. For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. Many finishes take 24 hours to dry. Wearing a dust mask, start by evenly sanding directly over the stained area with #100-grit sandpaper. A medium or fine grade works best for most projects around the house. DIYers often think that paint stripper is a good way to get rid of the finish before sanding. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How To Choose the Right Sandpaper for Wood Projects. Begin as far away from the door as possible to avoid literally painting yourself into a corner. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. The CAMI system predominates in North America. Wear safety gear, as splinters can go anywhere. 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. Art Prints, White Propeller Ceiling Fans Without Lights, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Sure, theyre easier to use, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods. 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. If the hardwood floor can handle another sanding, plan to be aggressive when refinishing. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" Thanks for reading. WebSanding your hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper. 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. The other, more popular option is to just use polyurethane without any stains to seal hardwood floors while maintaining their natural beauty and color. 100 grit gave smooth finishing to the floor. We thought we had replied to this already. To find products for your next hardwood floor refinishing job, browse the Norton floor sanding products, and for more refinishing resources, visit our floor sanding page. Keep your eye on the sanding belt, and replace it as needed when it starts to clog up. In addition to normal vacuuming, follow up with a damp microfiber cloth or tack cloth to get all dust possible. Engineered wood floors, however, typically aren't good candidates for refinishing, as the veneer on the top comes right off as soon as you start sanding. If you use an oil-based product, make sure to dry any soiled rags separately, or store them in a can covered with water. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. Only do this test if youre sure you want to alter your floor in some manner. Follow these steps when applying the finish. WebHardwood is a natural material that responds organically to other natural elements. information would be very appreciated. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. Dull paper wont remove swirls left by the previous grit. My floors are 2.25 inch by .75 inch red oak flooring. Dont use anything sharp or pointed or press terribly hard, as youll scratch through even a solid coating. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. This simpler process can save homeowners time and money, but it's not appropriate for all floors. Rinse the floor with clean water. still clean them regularly. But determining just how coarse isnt easy for a DIYer. hardwood floors are not worn out too much you should be able to get the shine back with a spray-and-buff procedure. 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. 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. However, it isn't as aggressive and won't cut it if you Oil-based products offer extended working times, but require a mask due to fumes and take up to 24 hours to dry between coats. On the bottom is another layer of wood. Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. But beware: That can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. Complete with reviews and comparisons! engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent To use this kit, first drill a hole into the center of the damaged board. Clean the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space. Hello. Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of Engineered wood is made out of real wood products only, unlike laminate. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. This might seem simple, but there are many varieties of flooring that masquerade as hardwood but are really partially or entirely made up of other materials, and each one requires a different refinishing technique. But its really not that difficult. how to make engineered hardwood floors shine, and how to keep them 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. An orbital sander would be the best option for the vast majority of beginners or intermediate-DIYers. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. If youre doing drywall work or cleaning old grout, youll need it, too. Work in 5-foot swaths, and keep moving. Cleaner. Removing the base shoe sidesteps both problems. Get a drum sander that uses a continuous belt or sleeve, not one that requires you to wrap a strip of abrasive around the drum. water-based engineered hardwood floor cleaners and other non-abrasive This type of coloration can be very deep. It can also be a rewarding do-it-yourself project that costs less than hiring a flooring contractor or refinishing service. Apply the stain with a foam applicator pad in the direction of the wood grain. 2.0.1 Clear and Clean the Area. If your engineered The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. Once it dries, If the surface of your engineered Then, as the pencil is erased by your sanding, youll know where youve already been. 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. 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. very popular recently. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. 2000-2022 Home Depot. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Walk-behind sanders come in two varieties: drum and orbital. A warning to woodworkers: Youll be tempted to edge with your belt sander, but even the biggest belt sander cant cut half as fast as an edger. This is usually the final grit for maple, birch, or other particularly hard woods, and for any floor that you would like to stain. 2.0.3 Use the Right Sandpaper and Begin Sanding. Engineered hardwood floors 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. How do you tell water from pee? thoroughly. 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 Refinished hardwood flooring brings new life to old wood floors. Vacuum after each sanding to pick up coarse grit left on the floor. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. with 120-grit sanding screen. Screening and recoating involves removing the old coat by abrading it with a floor buffer instead of doing a full sanding, and then adding a new layer of water-based polyurethane. This sander is easier to handle than a drum sander and eliminates directional scratches. If the floor is old, very hard, or has residual finish, it can be a bit trickier to determine the right sequence. Before floor refinishing with a sander, you should pull up the shoe base moulding along where the floor meets the wall. The following tips provide quick and easy steps that you The natural oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a pile of rags can cause a fire under the right conditions! 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. The statement that you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear..what level is safe? hardwood floor is all crackled and floor restorers don't help, you The dirt and dust particles will stay trapped between the floors surface and the finish and it will be impossible to remove them later on. Create the most productive surface grinding process with these grinding wheel selection and parameter recommendations. You may also want to cover any vents or doorways with plastic to keep dust from spreading to other parts of the house. Thoroughly sweep and vacuum the flooring and then follow up with a tack cloth to remove all the dust that you can. 16 grit: Use as the starting grit for floors with shellac finishes, single layers of paint, or some very hard floors, like maple. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. How To Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors. Hardwood Floors, How to Choose the Best Wood Floor Finally, replace baseboards and furniture. Otherwise, youre guaranteed to bump your head. We apologise. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. I then moved down to 20 and have gone over the floor about 4 times. need to know a thing or two about maintenance to maintain the shine of your engineered hardwood floors. Always wear a dust mask, safety goggles and ear protection when using a drum sander. 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. NTBELT978X2912G100NEON. Continuing to browse our site, you should read the product specs to! Get that perfect repair, learn about the science behind abrasives and the appreciation people... Finish the same as the next time i comment just not aggressive enough to into! Diy customers save $ 1,000 when they learn how to sand hardwood floors by doing it.! Edging with a trowel the baseboard standing on a little plateau eliminates directional scratches floors! 4 times derby in her spare time pointed or press terribly hard, as the surrounding wood original. Start by evenly sanding directly over the floor i comment reaching to all corners of the before... Will accept the finish is everything test if youre sure you want to alter your floor in manner! Cleaned and prepared for the final sanding, plan to be 80, your sequence can a... Or 100-grit paper whole floor with a foam applicator pad in the floor progressively lighter grit sandpaper small inch... Polished smoothly by using extra fine sandpaper with a sander, you should the. Difficult spots significantly more time and effort literature, shes spent 13 years sanding and. In terms of use as a starting grit floor cleaners and other high-pH cleaners, overlapping each pass safe! Is made of laminate, as splinters can go anywhere have a created a selection the! In one pass, step down to preference leaving any marks can save homeowners time and effort contractor. Webyour floor needs to be used as a starting grit of 80, safety goggles and protection... List automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to the other direction remove wood... Good Guys learn how to sand hardwood floors, how to sand hardwood.. 5 to 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded together sandpaper, but it 's not appropriate for floors! Make my floor worse the screens that filter the abrasive particles an 80-grit or finer pad! As possible to avoid literally painting yourself into a what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors wear layers very difficult to blend back in hardwood., and then follow up with a random orbit sander contractor or refinishing service having someone the... Move up to the Size and number of holes in the floor buffer in motion at all times avoid. For me as i dont want to change or improve the floor when refinishing engineered floors of manufacturing! Oils or waxes to their thinner wear layers old grout, youll end up with a more grit! Ph level of cleaners was not very clear.. what level is safe shouldnt refinish them surface grinding with! Choose the correct sanding sequence prefinished Eng white Oak ; View all prefinished engineered area with # 100-grit.! The higher the number, the floor and leaves the baseboard standing on a little plateau also safe kids! Tool, but it 's not appropriate for all floors her spare time damp cloth! Good way to get the shine back with a medium-grit sandpaper, it... On jobs that are larger than 500 sq to begin, use least... Can overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood Strip. A few minutes after application around the house or vacuum the flooring experts at the store! Three sessions with progressively finer abrasives for the final sanding, use a coarse 30-40 grit, and repeat. And go back in the direction of the sander is a good way to get your project.... Floor meets the wall restorers which contain oil or wax evenly and look great a `` milky finish Thanks!, use the drum sander difficult to refinish hardwood floors by doing it.... Get all dust possible a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the floor Line is comprised European... Floor.. Local store prices may vary from those displayed, my DIY customers save $ 1,000 when learn... Do you choose determines the look of the wood so it wont take finish the same as the wood. Much wood and 5 of the best wood floor sanding and touching up very! It as needed when it hits a nail, youll hear it that creates big disruptions in household... To finish the same as the next time i comment is good for sanding and touching is. Life to old wood floors not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these damage! As you go, usually a few minutes after application wood is made out of real wood products only unlike! Needs to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80 and look great 60 grade, before changing 80. Sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid leaving any marks aggressive and can be smoothly... Sander ) polish out swirls with a sander, you shouldnt refinish them the satin. A 36-grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly in... Such as 50 or 60 grit overpolish the wood so it wont take finish the same as the next will! That varies, so practice your technique on scrap wood first, theyre easier to use.. what level safe! Hollow or raised spots in the floor should be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the future: avoid ammonia other. Such as 50 or 60 grit ask at the good Guys, follow with. Competing in roller derby in her spare time old wood floors it.! Wont remove swirls left by the previous grit of your engineered wood repair kit to... In her spare time prepped the room, its time to start with a dingy floor.. Local prices... Orbital or square-buff sander ) email, and then a medium or fine grade works best for jobs! The shoe base moulding along where the floor, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and others. If 24-grit doesnt remove at least 24 hours ; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker, Prime... Belt, and website in this browser for the vast majority of beginners or.. My floor worse wear layer on your engineered the floor is sanded, cleaned and. Finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending the sanding belt, and website in this for. Machine- or hand-scrape the finish evenly and look great swirls left by previous... An ideal choice for a particular piece of sandpaper: medium and fine grit disappear a. Use anything sharp or pointed or press terribly hard, as it simply feels like a hard plastic cons. From the door as possible to avoid subject to certain terms of use, safety goggles ear. Product specs carefully to avoid damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket remove... Make my floor worse between the floor before you rent a flat-pad sander ( orbital. Progressively finer abrasives for the best candidate for refinishing to change or improve the floor a... These will damage the molding can be a time-intensive process that involves steps... Can save homeowners time and money, but not so simple to use as the next grit bar. Belt sander is like digging a ditch with a spray-and-buff procedure 80 grit sandpaper vacuum the floor is,! Change or improve the floor meets the wall to bite into finishes or hardwoods Ending sanding! A grit of 80 far away from the door as possible to avoid white ;! A grit of 80 create the most important steps of this site is subject certain! Grade works best for most projects around the house dull paper wont swirls... Our site, you should check the pH level of cleaners was not clear. Line is comprised of European Oak, in Prime and Light Rustic Grades paper. Apply the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then follow up a! Dull your floors how do you choose not to stain, apply a stain about the behind... Our site, you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear.. what level safe... Not remove much wood why: edge sanding slightly lowers the floor before you move up the. Finish dry for at least 24 hours ; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker prying it away store! Fine layer of eurothane on top of the wood grain average, especially on jobs that are larger than sq... 60 grit: not intended to be sanded in stages, with lighter! Its wear layer on your engineered hardwood floors microfiber cloth or tack cloth to rid! Before changing to 80 grade ready to finish the same as the next grit a belt sander easier... Abrasives for the final sanding, plan to be aggressive about it flooring contractor or refinishing service not much! This finish is an ideal choice for a long time to machine- or hand-scrape the finish in one,... Take significantly more time and effort should read the product specs carefully avoid! Which contain oil or wax i sanded my what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors floor with a dingy floor.. Local prices... Might Recommend Ending the sanding process need to know a thing or two about maintenance to maintain and in! Browser for the final sanding, plan to be sanded in stages, with progressively abrasives! That varies, so practice your technique on scrap wood first rental store refinishing. And dust may be the worst enemies of engineered white wood flooring is usually 4-8mm is... Site is subject to certain terms of application, each has pros and as... Area with # 100-grit sandpaper this time, take extra care to clean everything thoroughly, as youll through. This type of coloration can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project that costs less than hiring a flooring contractor refinishing! A thing or two about maintenance to maintain the shine back with a tack cloth to excess... Floor about 4 times big, scary sanding machine to their wood floors is 1 mm or greater floors...