"As Du Volant" (skuhnphoto)
05/17/2018 at 11:22 • Filed to: Floorlopnik
0
11|
"As Du Volant" (skuhnphoto)
05/17/2018 at 11:22 • Filed to: Floorlopnik | 0
| 11 |
Anyone ever refinish their own hardwood floors? The finish in my living room was already in pretty bad shape, and then the dog peed on it and the pee ate through what was left of the finish, and despite cleaning it now it stinks of pee in there.
Money is tight so I was thinking of doing it myself. I’m already a pretty handy person and from what I understand the work itself isn’t that difficult, there’s just a LOT of it.
Got any advice/pointers/tips to share?
diplodicus
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:32 |
|
My advice is don’t drop your phone in the polyurethane sealant like my sister did. They don’t work after that.
smobgirl
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:34 |
|
I sanded some of mine down and painted them white. It took a lot of work because they were uneven and in rough enough shape that I didn’t want to use a giant drum sander, and then I brush painted to get all of the weird cracks and remaining dents. I don’t have any tips offhand. Hipsters are really into painted wood floors so there’s a lot of help on the internet.
I’m pretty sure any flooring expert was going to tell me they weren’t salvageable but I didn’t have the budget to replace them. I really like them now, I can find a photo if you want.
Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:37 |
|
I’m looking at doing mine as well. Everyone I’ve talked to said not to try it myself, so I say go for it! Allegedly it is really hard to sand down floors and not introduce low spots. In my hubris, I think because I’ve successfully redone several tables, a floor shouldn’t be that bad.
For reference, however, I have received one quote and it was roughly $2,230 to do 958 sqft. ($2.25/sqft + $75 masking in kitchen)
Future next gen S2000 owner
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:38 |
|
Wear a sanding mask. Dedicate a couple long weekends. I have a buddy who did the floors in his house. The corners suck. Work towards the door. Don’t stop moving the sander. Take your time.
It isn’t difficult work, just takes time and effort.
Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:41 |
|
I refinished mine several years ago. I rented a stand-up,orbital commercial grade sander. It removed most of the old varnish and blemishes, not to the level a pro would do, but good enough. Make sure to seal off any areas that you’re not sanding with plastic sheeting. Lots of dust.
I sort of regret using a polyurethane sealant, as it’s now flaking off and showing wear. I might have just used a good stain. I’d research the best way of staining/sealing the flooring.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:41 |
|
You’re going to have to rent a sander and take the whole top layer off, IMHO.
http://royalwoodfloor.com/wood-floor-sanding/how-to-use-a-hardwood-floor-sander-5-common-mistakes/
Other than that, it’s pretty much “get is smooth, get it clean and dust-free, break out a lambswool roller and some polyurethane, and work carefully”.
I’ve done a little bit. More with a buffer than a sander, and either is an exercise in patience.
adamftw
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:41 |
|
Literally the only thing besides a roof I won’t do on my own house. Had it done before I moved in, money well spent. I’d do my own roof but it just takes too much time compared to paying for a crew.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 11:51 |
|
i’ve done it 3 different times. sand the hell out of it. then sand it again, with the finiest sandpaper. you can rent a stand up orbital sander from home depot. its maybe $60 plus sand paper. they sell special cloths to get up all the dust. then finish it. stain if you want. oil clear coats are better but they smell and you should probably leave after your done. you are going to want to do a couple coats
KevlarRx7
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 12:20 |
|
Oil or lacquer?
lone_liberal
> As Du Volant
05/17/2018 at 12:42 |
|
I’ve done it, though not all that well. Like others have said it’s all about renting a floor sander and going to it. We were doing maple floors and read how hard it was to stain maple and get a good result so we just left them natural and sealed them with poly.
functionoverfashion
> As Du Volant
05/18/2018 at 13:21 |
|
I won’t add to the plentiful sanding advice below, but I will recommend a product:
https://www.waterlox.com/products-item/waterlox-original-penetrating-tung-oil-floor-sealer-finish
This stuff is fantastic, and while it isn’t what’s on my floors, I’ve seen it in multiple applications and it’s great. It penetrates well and seals, without having the tendency of a straight polyurethane to chip or peel.
Our floors are polyurethane, BUT the first coat was mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits to allow it to really soak in. The second coat was more like 60/40, then 70/30, 80/20, you get the idea. Tedious, but it’s been 10 years and the floors still look fantastic.