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Start with 36-grit sandpaper for a floor that hasn’t been sanded in a long time or that has a lot of heavy finish on it. Floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher and use 24 or 16-grit paper. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper as well.
Can you go from 60 grit to 120 grit?
That will actually take longer because the finer grit will be much less effective at removing the initial sanding marks. Perform a final sanding pass using a very fine grit – 220 to 240 (I prefer 220 grit).Going Through the Grits. Grit Coarseness Level 40-60 Coarse 80-120 Medium 150-180 Fine 220-240 Very Fine.
How many sanding sheets does it take to sand a floor?
How long does it take to sand a floor? It’s hard to say without knowing the size and condition of your flooring. But with the right tools (like a drum sander and edger), you should do three sanding passes in an average-sized living room or bedroom in a day.
Can you sand a floor with an orbital sander?
Random orbital sanders are the best choice for do-it-yourself hardwood floor refinishing. They take longer to remove old finishes than drum sanders, but they do not require a lot of experience to use and are less likely to damage your wood floor. Just be sure to keep the sander level at all times.
Is it easy to sand your own floors?
Yes! Sanding your floors is easier than you probably think but it is physically hard work! Do your research and be well prepared.
Can I go from 40 grit to 80 grit?
For heavy sanding and stripping, you need coarse sandpaper measuring 40 to 60 grit; for smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections, choose 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. For finishing surfaces smoothly, use extra fine sandpaper with 360 to 400grit.
How do you prep a floor for sanding?
How to Prepare a Wood Floor for Sanding Clear the Room Before Sanding. This is probably pretty obvious but before you begin sanding, you will want to remove all of the furniture and clear out the room. Clean the Floor. Hammer in the Nails. Remove the Baseboards Before Sanding. Protect the House From Floor Sanding Dust.
What is the best grit for sanding wood?
Primary sanding of rough wood and the removal of planning marks on wood is often best done with medium-grit sandpaper. Fine sandpapers range from 120- to 220-grit. For most home workshops, this sandpaper will suffice for final sanding before the work is finished.
What do you put on newly sanded floorboards?
You can use a clear or tinted varnish to seal sanded floorboards. Put on three coats to get a really hard-wearing finish and make sure your brush is completely clean before you start.
How long does it take to sand a floor with a floor sander?
So how long does it take to sand a floor? If you’re using both the electric sander and the edger in 140 square-foot floor space, it will take you roughly 5 hours to do three sanding passes. Another thing you must take into account is how old your house is.
Can you sand hardwood floors against the grain?
Sanding against the grain. Sanding across the grain really tears the fibres of the wood and helps to remove the worn surface very quickly. This will get the floor flat and clean (though very rough looking) quickly.
How long does it take to sand a floor?
How long does it take to sand a floor? It can take 1-5 days for a professional and 2-15 days for a DIY enthusiast, depending on the size and condition of the floor. For planning purposes, it would take 1-day per room for a professional and 2 days per room for a homeowner doing DIY.
How do you refinish a 100 year old floor?
Refinishing 100 (plus) year-old hardwood floors Step 1 // prep. Empty the room and prepare for dust onslaught. Step 2 // drum sander. Step 3 // clean the dust. Step 4 // fill. Step 5 // orbital sanders. Step 6 // clean. Step 7 // stain (optional) Step 8 // first poly coat.
Are floorboards worth sanding?
Sanding is not the solution in every case and in some cases, it can do more harm than good. Firstly, have a good look at the boards once you have exposed them. They may already be smooth-ish, have a nice colour and only need a touch of stain or varnish to look good. Sanding is hard work and it causes a lot of mess.
How much does it cost to refinish $1000 square feet of hardwood floors?
The cost to refinish 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring averages between $3,000 to $8,000.
What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?
Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
Can I sand and stain my own floors?
If the scratches don’t go all the way through to the wood, you can scuff-sand your floors with a buffer and apply a fresh coat or two of finish. The hardwood floor refinishing process is easier and less expensive than sanding down to bare wood and takes less time. In a few hours, your floors will look as good as new.
How do you fill gaps in floorboards?
How to Fill Floorboard Gaps With Wood Strips Cut the Strips. Measure the width and length of each gap between floorboards. Glue the Strips in Place. Apply wood glue to the sides of each strip and gently tap it into the gap, using a mallet or hammer. Sand and Stain the Strips.
Can you skip a grit when sanding?
The Golden Rule of Sanding The golden rule for choosing your sequence is to never skip more than 1 grit. For example, if you start with P80, and need to finish at P240, rather than using every grit from P80 – P220, you can do P80 – P120 – P180 – P240.
Can you go from 60 to 100-grit?
You need to progress through every grit to polish off the scratches left by the previous grit. On most jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grain wood like oak. Scratches are more visible on fine-grain wood like birch or maple, so go to 100-grit.
