DIY Floor Refinishing--Tips and Tricks

Follow these (relatively) simple tips to ensure that your floor refinishing project is a success.  

1.  Rent your sander from a reputable business.  This seems like common sense, but it can be tempting to try to save a few dollars by renting from a less-expensive shop.  It's not even a bad idea to actually go to a few businesses and check out the machines they have to offer.  Big box stores like Lowes, Home Depot, and Menards often carry rentals, but don't overlook your local rental shop either.  Whichever way you choose to go, it is helpful if the rental shop is open on Sunday so if/when your machine breaks down, there is someone available to help you.

2.  If you are refinishing more than just one room at a time (and/or if your floors are very old), plan for at least 5 days of sanding.  This allows time for the stripper, edger, and finish sanders to do their work.  If it takes less time, you'll be ahead of schedule and under budget instead of the other way around.  :)

3.  Wear protective gear.  Sanding gets VERY messy, even with the attached dust-catcher bag.  It is also important to seal off any areas you don't want dust to get into (like kitchens, bathrooms, the part of the house you're still living in, etc.)  Lastly, be sure your furnace/central air is turned off and you have blocked the vents before beginning.  Sanding dust=not so good for the heating/cooling system.

4.  Resist the urge to use the edger in other areas of the room (or to tilt the machine to get at stubborn areas). Misuse of the edger results in grooved areas where the wood has been taken down too far.

5.  Be sure to clean your floor thoroughly after sanding.  Many brands of polyurethane and floor stain carry products to clean your freshly sanded floors before finishing.  Mineral spirits are another good way to prep the floors for finishing.

6.  Research the finish you want before the "big day."  After all of the work you have just put in to sanding, you don't want to end up with a finish you aren't crazy about.  If you are staining the floors, pick up a few samples of the colors you have in mind and test them out in an inconspicuous area, like a closet.  This test area can easily be sanded down again later.  As for the poly, you need to choose the type (either water-based or oil-based ) and the sheen (gloss, semi-gloss, or satin).  You will want to research all of your options and choose the best one for your floor type, lifestyle, and personal taste.

7.  Follow the directions on the stain/poly.  Again, seems like a no-brainer, but this step is crucial to obtaining a professional-looking finish.  Polyurethane requires a light sanding between each coat (recommend at least three coats for most brands).  This sanding will ensure a smooth, consistent finish for your topcoat.  

8.  TAKE YOUR TIME!!!  The biggest piece of advice we can give after being through this experience is that this is not a job you can (or should) do in a weekend.  You need to go slowly and allow yourself plenty of time to do each step.  Your patience will pay off in the end when you have a smooth, even finish throughout the entire area.