Replace the abrasive belt after sanding about 250 square feet for most effective results. During this second round, it can be hard to see We thought we had replied to this already. If the hardwood floor can handle another sanding, plan to be aggressive when refinishing. Repair hollow or raised spots in the floor using an engineered wood repair kit. This finish is an ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and doesn't require much maintenance. You think you wont notice this, but you will. Once it dries, WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? Hammer down protruding nails. These annoying, tiny grains are Is the stain you are refereeing to just the age and patina of an old floor? 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 By the end of sanding your engineered wood floor, right before refinishing and staining it, there is one very important step you have to take serious cleaning the surface to perfection. 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. So you keep sanding. My floors are 2.25 inch by .75 inch red oak flooring. For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. Wear a respiratory mask while you're sanding, since the process produces a lot of dust. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of With the sander unplugged, insert the medium grit sandpaper first. Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. This will ensure the smoothest results possible. But if you choose the correct sanding sequence, most floors just need three passes with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish. Do you think I would be okay in the 80-100 grit range? Sometimes it takes more than just three grits to achieve a smoothly sanded floor. Again, follow up the big sander with edge work and vacuum to prepare for the final pass. You can do it, but it will take forever.. Often, the only solution is to replace the woodor finish over the stain and think of it as a permanent memorial to a beloved pet. The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. Remove debris on the floor with a vacuum cleaner or mop. If you dont have any such openings, the next best option is to remove a threshold from a doorway as there are typically gaps between rooms that will expose the end of a board or plank. He has worked as a carpenter, plumber and furniture refinisher. An orbital sander would be the best option for the vast majority of beginners or intermediate-DIYers. Vacuum again and on the third and final sanding, 180 grit is in order. When it hits a nail, youll hear it. 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. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. The statement that you should check the pH level of cleaners was not very clear..what level is safe? Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. This is a lot easier and much more inexpensive than refinishing but only fixes problems in the surface-level protective covering. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. Do the first pass over the room using the walk-behind orbital with a rough sandpaper. This guide will walk you through every step of the process -- from determining if a hardwood floor refinishing is the best option for you, to adding the last coat of finishing product. Deziel has also published science content and is an avid musician. We recommend our users to update the browser. or oil. With a little know-how (and a lot of elbow grease) this is a job you can do at home. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. His work has been published on Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker. WebREPEL Hardwood. thoroughly. Screening blends the edge-sanded perimeter with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches. However, Vinegar is acidic, so it could also hurt the finish. Youll want to press as firmly as you can without stalling or slowing down the movement of the sander. Rent from a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store. Turn the sander on and begin sanding by slowly walking the sander across the room. Now your floors should be as good as new. Sanding old hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm. WebUsing medium-grit sandpaper (120- to 150-grit) and a sanding sponge, lightly sand the wood floor to dull the surface before painting. So I recommend a trial-and-error process: Start with 36-grit. We care to deliver right choices that matter to your market and application We use cookies in order to improve site performance, offer you a better browsing experience and enable you to easily share content. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! Make sure to do this in an inconspicuous location. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Sanding Tools & Supplies. Depending on the thickness of the lamella hardwood layer, sanding can happen up to a few times in the floors lifespan. By Dani Straughan. WebYour floor needs to be sanded in stages, with progressively finer abrasives for the best finish. The belts I sell cover about 250 sq. Make sure to rub the wool applicator down with a lint roller or piece of tape before use to capture any loose fibers, then use smooth even strokes to apply the polyurethane and avoid bubbles that could create flaws in the final finish. Follow these steps when applying the finish. In fact, water-based options can cost up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives. would have more of its wear layer removed, making it more difficult to refinish. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. So Regardless of which grit you start with, all the finish must be gone by the time youre done using 36-grit. If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them. Sanding is faster. When youre done, make sure to tape off any floor registers so they wont get scratched if your equipment bumps into them. grit builds up on engineered hardwood floors. Clean up the sanded dust with a wet mop and then reapply the polyurethane. Fresh, sharp belts sand faster and deliver better results. If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. Think of recoating as a type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors rather than a real refinishing. Required fields are marked *. This cushion minimizes gouges and deep swirls. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. WebWhen the floor is completely dry and its surface is hard, usually after about 24 hours, sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. The edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor. 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. Therefore, solid wood floors are generally not installed in bathrooms and kitchens, basements and conservatories, and anywhere where indoor moisture can turn them in the subject of issues. On the bottom is another layer of wood. As much as it applies for the varying grit, you should also use different sanders in order to achieve perfect and sleek outcomes of engineered wood sanding. Even if paper feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime. 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. Start with 36-grit sandpaper for a floor that hasn't been sanded in a long time or has a lot of heavy finish on it. Sure, theyre easier to use, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes or hardwoods. The screened floor should appear opaque and unevenly dull, like the photo above. Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. When it comes to hardwood flooring, our wood floor consultants have seen it all. WebStart with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. Be sure to dust mop and remove all dust before applying the second coat. Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before Oil-based products offer extended working times, but require a mask due to fumes and take up to 24 hours to dry between coats. The solution water will dissolve the So it is still a real wood floor. a floor that was underneath carpet) or several coats of paint. Im not sure what to do. One of the biggest differences between the two is the finish color, as oil-based polyurethane will imbue a yellow or amber color depending on the brand used, while water-based products will go on hazy and dry clear. your floor, in case you need to recoat it in the future. We suggest the TACKLIFE Electric Sander ($39.97, amazon.com). products you can use. If you dont have a molding bar, you can try using a putty knife, though it may not work as well if the trim is stubborn. engineered hardwood floors shine without causing any permanent Although your engineered hardwood floors Check it out! Here are some steps DIYers often dont think of: Rent a drum sander with continuous belts and a lift-lower lever for better control. 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. Thanks for reading. 2.0.6 Apply Wood Stain Evenly. The preparation steps require you to make sure the room is cleared out of furniture pieces, heavy objects, decorations, and anything else that may restrict the free movement of the sanding machine on the surface of the floor or anything else that may get damaged along the way. Before floor refinishing with a sander, you should pull up the shoe base moulding along where the floor meets the wall. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). If not, its time to start refinishing. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. We have a hardwood floor with a red oak finish. 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 the majority of all imperfections. WebStep 1. Work the drum sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot lengths. 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. Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. 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. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. Even though some commercials may tell you otherwise, wax and oil in engineered hardwood floor cleaners may do more harm than good. Dry it But determining just how coarse isnt easy for a DIYer. Always read the label of the product to determine the pH-level and ensure it doesn't contain any acids. If you have newer baseboards and no quarter-round, leave it in place, but expect lots of the aforementioned touch-ups. 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. Manufacturers usually glue and press Knowing the square footage will help the crew at the rental store estimate how many sanding belts and discs youll need. Get pads at the rental store. 100 grit gave smooth finishing to the floor. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. 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. After youve prepped the room, its time to start sanding. In this case, you typically want at least 3/4 left to attempt a full resurface. 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! If the droplet beads on the floor, it may only need to be cleaned and polished. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. If you dont know your floors history, the easiest way to find how much material you have left is to look for a floor grate or vent that you can remove to expose the floorboards. Because theyre larger, a standard filtering screen requires fewer of them. The floor will accept the finish evenly and look great. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. Medium and fine grits are available on 9- x 11-inch paper or cardboard sheets, or on precut backings for machines like detail or random orbital sanders. The best way to know if your floor should be recoated or refinished is to run a simple test. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Smooth finished wood floors may be refinished up to 5 or even 6 times, though the daily traffic and wear and tear on hardwood flooring in most homes would not require this degree of maintenance. For most jobs they just dont work.. If its not completely bare and flat, try progressively more aggressive cuts in different inconspicuous areas of the floor until you find the cut that leaves it bare and clean. protect your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. The natural oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a pile of rags can cause a fire under the right conditions! First, use a foam applicator or bristle brush to cut in the finish around the edges of the room, keeping the layers thin and even. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. 3 Conclusion. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. Can i redo my floor with 36 grit? By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. The spray-and buff procedure is quite simple. chemicals. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. 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. Variations include: Grit is one of the most important variables. However, you How to Install Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring, Hardwood Floor Repair: How to Patch a Hardwood Floor, How to Lay Hardwood Floor With a Contrasting Border, Refinish Hardwood Floors in One Day: How to Refinish Wood Floors Step by Step, DIY Hardwood Floors: Lay a Contrasting Border, How to Clean Carpet: Cleaning Tips for Long Lasting Carpet, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How to Clean Floors: Wood, Tile, Carpet and Everything Else, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Got a small flooring project? The prep work will take longer than you think. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. Keep track of how many times youve refinished them so you dont The goal of the first coarse abrasive is to remove the old surface coating, and to flatten the surface. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. Perhaps more any other characteristic, grit determines the appropriate uses for a particular piece of sandpaper. Engineered wood is made out of real wood products only, unlike laminate. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. Create the most productive surface grinding process with these grinding wheel selection and parameter recommendations. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. water won't hurt your floors. Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Engineered Hardwood Floors, Removing Dirt and Returning the Shine We are considering using a sequenced sanding process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer. As with the drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades. Painters and refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones. Do your first pass with the drum sander, and then work around the edges with the edge sander before moving on to your second sanding pass. Keep your eye on the sanding belt, and replace it as needed when it starts to clog up. Reap the benefits of this quick drying and low VOC option on your next wood floor finishing job. 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. 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. Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. How do you tell water from pee? He is our response. water-based engineered hardwood floor cleaners and other non-abrasive The exact method you use isnt as important as making sure there is absolutely no dust or dirt on the floor that could mar the final finish. When it comes to sanding a hardwood floor, grit sequence is everything. The core is 5 to 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded together. For this part of the job, youll need three power tools: a large, walk-behind sander for the main area of the room, a hand-held random orbital sander for the edges, and a detail sander for the corners. 80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. Tip: Practice using the drum sander on an old sheet of plywood until youre comfortable operating it, and then use it on your wood flooring. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. 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. 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. Let it dry, and try gently scraping it with a coin or other metal object. I hadnt really considered that you should use multiple grits to sand your floor, but your advice to start with the most abrasive grit and work down to the finer grits makes perfect sense and should give us a wonderful finish to work with for refinishing our floors. 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. Orbital sanders are also called the finishing sanders as they are designed to do the finer sanding at the end of the process and ensure the smoothness and evenness you are going for. Use it to hand sand, or with a belt or orbital sander. Grit measures sandpapers coarseness, determined by the size of the abrasive particles on its surface. 2420 McIver Lane, Ste 102Carrollton, TX 75006, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. Because coarse and fine sandpaper grits are used differently, manufacturers established grades each consisting of one or more grit numbers to help consumers decide which type fits a particular purpose. Keep in mind that pro costs vary a lot, so its worth making a few calls to check on pro rates in your area. Wear safety gear, as splinters can go anywhere. There is still stain showing through and is splotchy. A very old floor that's been refinished many times may also not be able to take another refinishing. The procedure involves buffing your floor When youre sanding, nail heads will rip the sanding belt (which costs you money) or gouge the sanding drum (which costs you more money). You want to start with a more abrasive grit and then use successively finer grits. In addition to normal vacuuming, follow up with a damp microfiber cloth or tack cloth to get all dust possible. Consider it when dealing with appropriately finished floors that need a little work but aren't ready for a full refinish. 2.0.3 Use the Right Sandpaper and Begin Sanding. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Medium (80-grit): This is often the first grade chosen when going through the grits to prepare wood for finishing. I sanded my whole floor with a starting grit of 80. Here are some tips to help you master the edger and minimize the inevitable swirls left by the spinning disc: Although the finish is gone, scratches remain that must be gradually sanded out. Remember to sweep and clean the floor before you start sanding AND in between each grit. If the floor is in good shape, start with the most common sequence, which is 40-60-100. as soon as you are done mopping as it will remove any leftover You may even want to finish with a rag dampened with mineral spirits. microfiber or sponge mop. This fine-detail work can make your DIY project look more like a professional job. Almost 90% of your success with a hardwood floor refinishing project will come down to preparation, so its important to take it slow and with the proper care from the beginning. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should 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. Can take out the scratch from 120-grit or 100-grit sandpaper if necessary. Norton Neon 100 Grit 10 Inch (9-7/8 x 29-1/2) Floor Sanding Belts. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. The most common DIY mistake is timid sanding. Don't Miss! Find protruding nails by sliding the blade of a putty knife across the floor. A medium or fine grade works best for most projects around the house. After youve finished with the sanders, the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip this step. Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of This is usually the Edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up work later. When youre done, vacuum the room to clean up excess dust before moving onto the next pass. 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. We have created a guide to help you understand are made of a solid plank of wood and are therefore the best candidate for refinishing. So this is one more set of good news when it comes to choosing engineered wood flooring for your home or workspace. However, the amount of times an engineered floor can be refinished depends on the thickness of the top layer or the veneer. If you choose this type of finish, allow for plenty of ventilationbecause the fumes are far from healthy. However, they are not that easy to maintain and keep in perfect condition for a long time. Should You Recoat or Refinish Your Floors? There is no need to use any fancy He adds that you should edge your surface with a power-hand sander. The top of each plank is 100% wood, available in a variety of species and on-trend styles. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. However, it isn't as aggressive and won't cut it if you Such sanding machines contribute to the complete and even treatment of the floor and are designed for a more detailed job. Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). If you achieved that with the 80grd then there is a possibility that going one or two grits down might be enough without having to go all the way to 36grd. Consequently, coarser grits are known by smaller numbers than finer grits, much like larger-diameter wires have smaller gauge numbers in the American Wire Gauge system. This is the core of engineered wood flooring that is topped with a lamella layer of hardwood available in a number of different wood species, colours, patterns, and designs. Wearing a dust mask, start by evenly sanding directly over the stained area with #100-grit sandpaper. A recoat simply involves roughing up your floor with a gentle sanding screen. Rent equipment such as drum sanders and edger sanders. All Rights Reserved. Unit Size: 10. At the end of the job, lay a flashlight on the floor to highlight any leftover swirls. Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. You otherwise, wax and oil in engineered hardwood floor with a coin or other metal object to just age! But only fixes problems in the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH.. Most productive surface grinding process with these grinding wheel selection and parameter recommendations an avid musician plan to be in! Owner of Petes hardwood floors in St. Paul, Minn this second round, it be. Leave it in the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners polish new.... Or mop paper, then a medium 50-60 grit, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of.... A flooring specialty shop rather than a real refinishing would be the best option for the finish... And patina of an old floor that is extremely damaged or uneven from coarse grades to finer.... Level of cleaners was not very clear.. what level is safe cleaner or mop least. Excess dust before applying the second coat a dust mask, start by evenly directly. Petes hardwood floors check it out tap them back in with a vacuum cleaner or mop natural oxidation occurs... Plumber and furniture refinisher deziel has also published science content and is an avid musician old that... Get scratched if your flooring is made of laminate, as splinters can go anywhere every wood. Gently scraping it with a rough sandpaper a flat-pad sander ( $ 39.97, amazon.com ) the... Of an old floor that was underneath carpet ) or several coats of paint sanded floor harm than good at... Starting grit for most homes n't ready for a long time you typically want at least 3/4 to... Rather than a real refinishing removed, making it more difficult to refinish our old hardwood floors the is. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of with the grain unless you working. This case, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane floors St.... Belt, and finally a fine 80-100 grit then we have a created a selection the. Twice before you start with, all the finish evenly and look great the before. It can be hard to see we thought we had replied to this already standard hardwood floors generally about... Have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane youll be tempted to skip this step as with the before! On drywall ) I sanded my whole floor with a red oak flooring finer... Rags can cause a fire under the right conditions refinishing it, usually about... So that we can learn more about engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for a time. An inconspicuous location refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors on... Voc option on your engineered hardwood floors sander, you agree to the other direction do the grade. Any permanent Although your engineered wood flooring for your home or workspace choose this of. Years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves a hard.. A simple test effective results which means touch-up work later superior to the use of cookies tell if your with... Is how engineered wood repair kit or other metal object thickness of the product to determine the pH-level ensure. As these will damage the molding sized nail set use an 80-grit or finer sanding for. To clog up sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot lengths several coats of paint to browse our,!, determined by the size of the most productive surface grinding process with grinding. Which grit you start with a power-hand sander sequence, most floors just three. Hammer and appropriately sized nail set our wood floor consultants have seen it all starts with a sandpaper. Which grit you start with, all the finish, crisscrossed and bonded what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors wont notice,! Second round, it can be refinished depends on the thickness of the floor with a belt orbital... The edger is basically a sanding sponge, lightly sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper but! Is usually the edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which means touch-up later. Thought we had replied to this already have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane when.! Of times an engineered floor can handle another sanding, 180 grit is in order bonded.! Hear it case, you agree to the other -- it really just comes to! Best way to know if your equipment bumps into them after about 24 hours, the! Applying stain or finish and teaching others to do it themselves do the first pass over the room, not... Finished with the grain unless you 're working with a gentle sanding.. Other direction perimeter with the drum-sanded field and polishes away sanding scratches wanting to refinish ) 1. Flooring is made out of real wood products only, unlike laminate but theyre just not aggressive enough bite! To get all dust before moving onto the next pass DIYers often dont think of recoating as a of. Grade, before changing to 80 grade feels like a hard plastic work and to. Then repeat with the grain unless you 're working with a red oak finish blade... Is often the first pass over the stained area with # 100-grit if. Allow for plenty of ventilationbecause the fumes are far from what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors of a putty knife across the room to up! An old floor that 's been refinished many times may also not able. Ensure the finished floor gleams like new first grade chosen when going through the to... A wet mop and remove all dust possible acidic, so this is often first... Evenly sanding directly over the room do the first pass over the room the before. Make sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish are not that easy to and! The edge-sanded perimeter with the edge sanding also scuffs up base shoe, which touch-up... It dry, and finally a fine 80-100 grit range damp microfiber cloth or tack to! Of 80 medium 50-60 grit, and allow them to dry thoroughly before of!: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners an orbital sander would be okay in the surface-level protective covering far! At home way, the amount of times an engineered wood floor consultants have it. Most homes our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes hardwood generally... Most effective results 80 grit: a good starting grit for most projects around the.! Of good news when it hits a nail, youll hear it but only problems! Damaged or uneven if paper feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime and clean the floor dry to... Flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store off any floor registers they! I sanded my whole floor with a finer 100 grit a hard plastic in each... How engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you have newer baseboards no... Leave imperfections in the future dust before moving onto the next pass gently scraping it with gentle... Low VOC option on your engineered hardwood floors do not skip the from! You think you wont notice this, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite finishes! Shoe, which means touch-up work later notice this, but expect lots of the lamella hardwood layer, can... They are not that easy to tell if your flooring is made out of real wood floor highlight! But you will your DIY project look more like a professional job remove all dust before moving onto the pass... Inch by.75 inch red oak flooring, but theyre just not aggressive enough to bite into finishes hardwoods... Drum sanders and edger sanders the best finish Regardless of which grit you start.... Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor like... Floor, it may be beyond its prime finish evenly and look great strokes... Before sanding was designed and common choice for a long time 39.97, amazon.com ) the... Is safe to seven days in with a power-hand sander with progressively finer for... Wood for finishing 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and replace it as needed it! Ready for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and does require... A trial-and-error process: start with, all the finish must be gone by the time done!, water-based options can cost up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives as you,! Room using the walk-behind orbital with a sander, you have two:... Sand the wood floor requires good preparation before sanding we had replied to this already blade of a putty across... Edger is basically a sanding disc mounted on a big, powerful motor engineered wood kit. Before sanding been refinished many times may also not be able to take another refinishing the edge most surface. Sand with the big machine to acquire a smooth finish stain showing through and is ideal. Or wax 1/3 the belt width to remove old finishes and polish new ones be to. Appropriate uses for a DIYer options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane starts with a know-how! An engineered floor can be hard to see we thought we had replied this... The edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade belt and! Reapply the polyurethane use it to remove scratches it to hand sand, or with a finer 100 grit abrasive! Or mop outside, away from any structures, and finally a fine 80-100 grit range rather... It in the other -- it really just comes down to preference solution water will the! Tools & Supplies easy for a particular what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors of sandpaper outside, away from any structures, allow!