Hardwood floors create a rich look and they last a lifetime if you refurbish and refinish it overtime. Refinishing a hardwood floor is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project if you have the right tools and techniques. A wood floor need refinishing when a spill of water immediately gets absorbed, and if they sink in slowly, only a simple polish is needed.

 

This guide will lie out the main steps needed for refinishing hardwood floors to bring back their luster and shine.

 

Things you will need

 

  • Plastic sheeting
  • Hammer
  • Nail set
  • Putty knife
  • Large flooring sander
  • Paint tray
  • Paint brush
  • Sandpaper
  • Steel wool
  • Painter’s tape
  • Wood putty
  • Wood stain
  • Varnish
  • Dust mask

Instructions

 

  1. Clear out all furniture items from the room, and clean the floor.

 

  1. Remove the shoe molding, which is the quarter round that is all around the floor. You can pry it off, or simply use painter’s tape all around it.

 

  1. Remove the carpet staples and fasteners from the flooring.

 

  1. With the plastic sheet, cover the light fixtures, vents and doorways. Tape the sheet from the edges.

 

  1. Sand the hardwood floor in three sessions. Start with a slow grit course, the a medium grit, and then a fine 100 grit course.

 

  1. Sand around all the edges with a power hand sander.

 

  1. Vacuum thoroughly with the brush attachment.

 

  1. Apply wood filler if there are any holes or gauges in the flooring.

 

  1. Buff the floor with a screen to smooth out and scratches. This will require the same pattern as done in sanding the floor. With an extension pole, you can screen the edges and corners.

 

  1. Clean the room with a vacuum and dust the walls, fixtures, and windowsills.

 

  1. Wipe the floor with a cloth that is damped with mineral spirit.

 

  1. Apply a sanding sealer by starting from the corner of the room.

 

  1. With smooth strokes, apply the polyurethane around the floor with a natural-bristle brush. Let it dry and then apply another coat.