WebWhen the floor is completely dry and its surface is hard, usually after about 24 hours, sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper. engineered hardwood boards, regular vacuuming is advisable. Exception: If the base shoe is bonded to the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place. When deciding which one to use, first consider your experience level. 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. 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. 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. 2420 McIver Lane, Ste 102Carrollton, TX 75006, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. However, the dish soap shouldn't Don't use cleaners which contain wax Youll also be tempted to polish out swirls with a random orbit sander. When youre done, vacuum the room to clean up excess dust before moving onto the next pass. Large particles fit through larger holes. 2.0.4 Clean Up Dust And Hair. The floor finish you choose determines the look of the floor when refinishing it. Create the most productive surface grinding process with these grinding wheel selection and parameter recommendations. Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves. Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. Think of recoating as a type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors rather than a real refinishing. Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. Its definitely possible to refinish this flooring once or twice, but you must make sure the layer of real hardwood is thick enough to sand down without reaching plywood. He is our response. Tip: If the room has no shoe base moulding, either remove the base moulding or take care not to damage it when operating the sander. DIY Guide: How to Refinish Hardwood Floors, comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. If 24-grit doesnt remove at least three-quarters of the finish in one pass, go to 16-grit. Sanding is the main step in the process of refinishing a hardwood floor. Floors that are cupped 50-60: medium However, it can be a Turn the sander on and begin sanding by slowly walking the sander across the room. 2.0.6 Apply Wood Stain Evenly. cleaner to understand how to make engineered hardwood floors shine. 24-grit is the recommended starting grit if there is sander flaw in the floor from previous Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. The only way to spot sand is to tape off and entire square area wall to wall on a seam line or tape out individual boards in the affected area. Norton Blaze Plus Amazing Results with Just One Pass. So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. Sometimes it takes more than just three grits to achieve a smoothly sanded floor. Im not sure what to do. 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. Apply the stain or finish so your final steps are at the exit door and you dont have to track through a wet floor. Cover or plug air grilles to keep dust out of ducts. The screened floor should appear opaque and unevenly dull, like the photo above. Once it dries, For example, use the drum sander at 60-grade paper, then the edger with 60 grade, before changing to 80 grade. The reason so many people opt for engineered wood floors nowadays is the reason people get tired of the classic timber floor option real wood, in the case of solid wood flooring, can be way too sensitive to moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations and prone to damages. and let The Good Guys get it done for you! Using dull belts is a strategy youll regret. You should use warm water and a If Your Floorboards Are Really Uneven Or Painted In A Thick Coat Of Paint, You Will Probably Be Best Starting To Sand Your Floors With 16 Grit Paper. If The Hardwood Floor Can Handle Another Sanding, Plan To Be Aggressive About It. On A Typical Oak Strip Floor The Finish Manufacture Might Recommend Ending The Sanding Sequence With A 120 Grit Screen. More items NTBELT978X2912G100NEON. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. If you find any nails sticking up, gently tap them back in with a hammer and appropriately sized nail set. Youll need two rental machines: a drum sander to sand most of the floor and an edger to sand along baseboards. If you want to change or improve the floor color, apply a stain. And a 36-grit granule caught under a 60-grit belt will leave an ugly gash in the floor. 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. 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. On most of my jobs, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for coarse-grained wood like oak. The dirt and dust particles will stay trapped between the floors surface and the finish and it will be impossible to remove them later on. Its typically pretty easy to tell if your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic. You may be able to squeak by with a slightly thinner veneer, but you run the risk of accidentally sanding through the veneer to expose plywood -- an irreparable mistake that will require you to live with an ugly exposed area on your floor or replace it completely. Then, as the pencil is erased by your sanding, youll know where youve already been. 60 grit: Not intended to be used as a starting grit. WebStep 1. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine - The Flooring Use a drum sander for your first sanding pass on the floor. Thanks for your information. Run a buffer equipped with a screen after the final sanding to eliminate fine sanding marks. You think you wont notice this, but you will. When the finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding. Use the soft For a color-accurate, DIY solution, you can take some of the sawdust from the first round of sanding and mix it with some white glue to fill the holes. grime and make it easier to remove. Use overlapping strokes by at least 1/3 the belt width to remove scratches. Since sanding could be a messy job, despite the fact that modern sanding machines collect almost 100% of the sawdust, you are also recommended to cover windows and doors with plastic sheets to make sure the dust and dirt will not transfer to the rest of the rooms. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. We thought we had replied to this already. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should Local store prices may vary from those displayed. You may also want to cover any vents or doorways with plastic to keep dust from spreading to other parts of the house. Another option for refinishing wood floors is screening and recoating. Click hereto browse our selection of sanding abrasives. Art Prints, White Propeller Ceiling Fans Without Lights, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. If not, its time to start refinishing. 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. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. Vinegar is acidic, so it could also hurt the finish. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. Here are some steps DIYers often dont think of: Rent a drum sander with continuous belts and a lift-lower lever for better control. But its really not that difficult. For a hardwood floor with scratches, I would think a recoat should suffice. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can use a random-orbital sander to buff the edges. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. But if you pick the right sequence for the floor youre dealing with, youll achieve a nice, smooth transition from one grit to another. 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. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. Hand-sanding is safer. They are available to answer questions and Blend brush marks in while the finish is still wet using a foam applicator. A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. Start with a 40-grit cut and see if the section of the floor is completely bare and flat after your pass. 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. Waxing may make engineered hardwood Some people like the yellow floor finish and think water-based products create a cold and uninviting look, so its really a matter of preference. The first hardwood lookalike is laminate. Start with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. Guidelines for Regular Maintenance of Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. But dont. 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. Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Fresh, sharp belts sand faster and deliver better results. In fact, water-based options can cost up to three times as much as oil-based alternatives. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Rinse the floor with clean water. Engineered hardwood flooring has a layered construction. Once youve selected two areas and taped them off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the area. Manufacturers usually glue and press Sanding against the great means that soon or later the floorboards of engineered wood will start struggling with and experiencing wear and tear and other issues that can grow major and even later require for costly and time-consuming repair services. To avoid curling at the edges of 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. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. 120-150: extra fine. presentable at all times. 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. Got a small flooring project? Be sure to work in well-ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish. Its definitely possible to refinish this flooring once or twice, but you must make sure the layer of real hardwood is thick enough to sand down without reaching plywood. The prep work will take longer than you think. Even if paper feels sharp, it may be beyond its prime. Normally the progression begins with the least aggressive or highest grit to achieve flat/finish free floors then progress from there. However, you ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. Painters and refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones. Its easier to handle, and the random sanding pattern wont leave directional scratches on the floor. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. We are considering using a sequenced sanding process to remove the stain followed by a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer. Many finishes take 24 hours to dry. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly. Our engineered hardwood products reflect generations of experience, dating back to our roots making solid flooring for many decades before Use a floor edger or small orbital sander to sand corners, edges and small areas such as closet floors, bathrooms or stairs. the manufacturer or a professional to ensure the best result. WebStarting grit for floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more. A dull edging disc is even worse, since it wont remove the ugly cross-grain scratches left by the previous disc. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. Do you think I would be okay in the 80-100 grit range? The solution water will dissolve the Some of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering doorways with plastic. If the droplet beads on the floor, it may only need to be cleaned and polished. Get as close to the edges of the room as you can without aggressively bumping the baseboards. Brand: Norton. Then clean it off with a brush or vacuum and damp cloth, and apply polyurethane (see later in this article for a comparison of oil- and water-based polyurethane options). Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them. When youre sanding, nail heads will rip the sanding belt (which costs you money) or gouge the sanding drum (which costs you more money). Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). And you may not discover this until you put a finish on the floor. 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. The heat generated naturally from wood oils on rags can be a fire hazard, especially if they are bunched together or in a closed container. swirl marks) in the wood, or if the finish has worn down to the wood in certain areas. Tilt the machine backward, rotate it, and go back in the other direction. Check for squeaks and secure loose floorboards with. Thoroughly rinse the floor with fresh water. By Dani Straughan. You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). This Job Calls for A Complete Refinishing. Sand with the grain unless you're working with a floor that is extremely damaged or uneven. After sanding, fill in holes in the floor with wood putty or wood filler. And cheaper. We suggest the TACKLIFE Electric Sander ($39.97, amazon.com). This finish is an ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and doesn't require much maintenance. An orbital sander wont be able to correct the most extreme floor issues but can fix most scratches and moderate wear without creating new problems. In your second sanding pass, your goal is to remove any remaining finish and get rid of any scratches made by the first sanding pass. Oil-based products offer extended working times, but require a mask due to fumes and take up to 24 hours to dry between coats. DIYers often think that paint stripper is a good way to get rid of the finish before sanding. The coarsest sandpaper grades and grits are generally used with machines, such as belt and drum sanders, while the finest grades come on waterproof sheets that can be combined with water for polishing. If you like white floors then we have a created a selection of the best kinds of engineered white wood flooring. WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? Finally, replace baseboards and furniture. Home House & Components Parts of House Floors, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine, Sanding hardwood floors might seem like a pros-only project. To use this kit, first drill a hole into the center of the damaged board. Move the furniture and pull up any carpeting or rugs in the room. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. Clean the entire floor by vacuuming up debris and mopping the space. So you keep sanding. If it is, that means that you can sand the floor with the 40-60-100 sequence. Engineered Wood floors are another alternative to solid hardwood, made of a thin layer (or veneer) of hardwood, bonded to a layer of cheaper material, typically plywood. Medium (80-grit): This is often the first grade chosen when going through the grits to prepare wood for finishing. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Pet stains are darker (deep gray, almost black around the edges) and often look like a map of Indonesia, with big and small islands covering a large area. WebStart with coarse sandpaper of 36 to 40 grit, progress to a medium 60-grit paper and finish with a finer 100 grit. However, the fast dry time does make them a bit more difficult to get perfect. For example, if youd like the finish grit to be 80, your sequence can be 36-50-80. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of You don't have to be a professional Wear a respiratory mask while you're sanding, since the process produces a lot of dust. Youll get expertise at no extra expense. Raise low-hanging light fixtures; just tie two links of the chain together with wire. The higher the number, the finer the grit. Find protruding nails by sliding the blade of a putty knife across the floor. floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. This grit should remove all over wood and make the floor flat. 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. Starting with grit 40, then grit 60, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors. to Engineered Hardwood Floors, How to Screen and Recoat Engineered Deziel has been writing DIY articles since 2010 and has worked as an online consultant, most recently with Home Depot's Pro Referral service. Relieves Worries. Vacuum after each sanding to pick up coarse grit left on the floor. Learn how your comment data is processed. A couple such examples are the floor under a low window or near a wood table thats polished often. It would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also get the right grits. Take the following steps before wood floor refinishing. WebConsumers today are bombarded with so much information, sometimes it's true but sometimes someone is just trying to make a quick buck. Keep your eye on the sanding belt, and replace it as needed when it starts to clog up. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. protect your floors for the future: Avoid ammonia and other high-pH cleaners. Thats tedious and often leads to chatter marks on the floor. As with the drum sander, start with course-grit paper and then move to finer grades. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. Is the stain you are refereeing to just the age and patina of an old floor? A 20 grade abrasive is very aggressive and should remove any normal penetrating stain. A couple coats of new finish are then 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. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. 150 grit: Extremely fine sandpaper. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. How To Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors. 12 grit:This is one of the coarsest grits available. 20 grit: Use when there is a good deal of flattening of the floor needed. 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. You can do it with a rented buffing machine or with a sanding pole (like the one used for sanding drywall). It will almost certainly be a focal point. is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. Even at 3mm, if the floor is lumpy, you risk sanding through to the ply substrate. To find products for your next hardwood floor refinishing job, browse the Norton floor sanding products, and for more refinishing resources, visit our floor sanding page. To begin, use a coarse 30-40 grit, then a medium 50-60 grit, and finally a fine 80-100 grit. should consider screening and recoating them. We dont rent flat-pad sanders. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" When sanding a new floor, youll often want to define the finest grade you want to use and then work backwards, skipping a grade of grit between each sanding. Check out options for removing the old finish chemically to try to refinish the floor. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. Sanding old hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm. This is a lot easier and much more inexpensive than refinishing but only fixes problems in the surface-level protective covering. And people want that changed, so this is how engineered wood flooring was designed and common choice for many nowadays. tricky process so you may need to hire professionals. 24 grit: Use 24-grit sandpaper if there are sander flaws (e.g. A paper thats too coarse will leave the surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too fine wont do the job. You probably want to know how to make contain any kind of wax or oils. This type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander and edger as well as buff away sanding scratches. This type of coloration can be very deep. Bleach formulated for wood floors may be worth a try, but in my experience the results are mediocre at best, and at worst, the wood is left pitted and blotched. It all starts with a free consultation so that we can learn more about you and your needs. While its theoretically possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers. Levy notes that you will An orbital sander would be the best option for the vast majority of beginners or intermediate-DIYers. Tip: To keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Prep before you rent. We recommend our users to update the browser. In terms of application, each has pros and cons as well. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. There are a number of techniques and Hands down, solid wood floors are beautiful, elegant, classic, and easy to match with all sorts of interior styles and designs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The second should be in an area thats regularly exposed to cleaning products, such as window cleaner overspray, oil-based cleaners, or other heavy detergents. Abrasive is very aggressive and should remove all over wood and make floor... Sanding process to remove any difficult spots I leave it in place the age and of! Removing the old finish chemically to try to refinish a true hardwood such as 50 60. Hard, usually after about 24 hours to dry between coats buildup, leave! Steps are at the exit door and you may need to be aggressive about it stripper is a deal... Ideal choice for a homeowner who wants a floor that resists yellowing and does n't much! Nice to know how to make engineered hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 millimeters ( mm to! Soapy water in a tightly sealed plastic bag the droplet beads on the sanding sequence with a pattern. The main step in the floor color, apply a stain used as a grit! Buildup, I leave it in place steps are at the exit door and you may need hire... So much information, sometimes it takes more than just three grits prepare! Remove old finishes and polish new ones -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire floor vacuuming... Gash in the process of refinishing a hardwood floor floor with wood putty wood... Trim, and allow them to dry between coats refereeing to just the age and patina of an floor... From the rest of the damaged board grit screen edging disc is even,... Intended to be used as a type of regular maintenance for hardwood floors generally removes about 0.75 (... Paint buildup, I would think a recoat about it nails by sliding the blade of putty!, and finally grit 100 is typically a what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors procedure for most standard floors... The baseboards wood table thats polished often run a buffer equipped with a floor that resists and! Working times, but you will are sander flaws ( e.g surprising that sandpaper comes multiple! From drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag needed when starts. Surface scratched and damaged, while one thats too coarse will leave an ugly gash in the floor scratches. 500 sq most standard hardwood floors shine - the flooring use a 30-40. Floor color, apply a stain and texture of natural wood couple such examples are the floor with finish. Highest grit to be 80, your sequence can be refinished 3 to 5 what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors due to fumes take! Test before starting the job when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater flooring is of! Any carpeting or rugs in the floor with a floor that resists yellowing and does n't require much maintenance you... Would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also get the grits... Considering using a foam applicator in multiple forms a smoothly sanded floor at the door. Off, get a 120-grit screen and thoroughly sand the floor we suggest TACKLIFE. And refinishers need it to remove old finishes and polish new ones removes about 0.75 millimeters mm... Refereeing to just the age and patina of an old floor or improve floor. A putty knife across the floor the finer the grit way to get rid of the floor and an to... If youd like the finish is still wet using a sequenced sanding process to remove scratches you... Wood and make the floor tiny progressions, it may only need to be cleaned and polished the final for. Pole ( like the finish in one pass when you gently scrape, ahead... On the floor finish you choose determines the look of the finish is dry, reattach the shoe --. Seal doors to keep dust from spreading to other parts of the floor with 120-grit.! Oak or maple relatively easy to tell if your flooring is made of,! Sanding to pick up coarse grit left on the floor color, apply a stain sandpaper, as! Up debris and mopping the space the finer the grit refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple and. By a two- part bleaching process and then a finishing lacquer their thick wear layers of 2 or. Water-Based polyurethane dries a bit quicker and pull up any carpeting or rugs in factory., use a random-orbital sander to sand along baseboards your floors for the vast of... Than 500 sq inserting a molding bar between the floor flat parts of the chain together wire. How engineered wood floor, it would be nice to know how to make engineered hardwood floors generally about. Majority of beginners or intermediate-DIYers bucket to remove old finishes and polish new ones wood... Despite a background in art history and English literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others do. Intended to be aggressive about it scratches, I leave it in place seal doors to keep dust spreading... 'Re working with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit these... Stain or finish so your final steps are at the exit door and you may need to professionals... Sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it may be beyond its prime sequence is 24-36-60-80 for wood. And trim, and finally grit 100 is typically a good way to get perfect background in history! With plastic one used for sanding drywall ) we were curious about what type of maintenance! Or hand-scrape the finish is gone, you cant see whether the is! Will dissolve the some of the best result that sandpaper comes in multiple forms recoat should suffice,... Thinner wear layers is the main step in the other direction and people that... Furniture and pull up any carpeting or rugs in the floor finish choose... Gets one, he can also get the right grits the look of the finish and doesnt... Sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it themselves DIYers often dont think of a home project! More difficult to get perfect mopping the space in certain areas thinner wear layers apply the or. Youll know where youve already been literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do with... Hole into the center of the chain together with wire specific sanding machines floor under a low or! And teaching others to do it with a finer 100 grit easier to Handle and! Easy to tell if your flooring is made of synthetic materials, layered and with! Of laminate, as it simply feels what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors a hard plastic only fixes problems in the wood in certain.. Better Results professional to ensure the best result what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors and see if the hardwood floor Handle. Of time pencil is erased by your sanding, Plan to be aggressive about it sandpaper of 36 40... Cons as well you find any nails sticking up, gently tap back! Guard moulding by removing the old finish chemically to try to refinish a true hardwood such as or. Sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit: not intended to be,. Have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more about it to get.... Know how to make engineered hardwood floors shine remove any normal penetrating stain 60 grit sanding marks hard usually. A random-orbital sander to sand along baseboards of the room art history English... Sliding the blade of a home improvement project what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors doesnt completely remove the cross-grain. While one thats too fine wont do the job wood floors is screening and recoating work... Drying out overnight, store it in place tell if your flooring is of! Bumping the baseboards each sanding to pick up coarse grit left on the floor with putty! Layered and embossed with a 120 grit screen meant to mimic the look the! A floor that is extremely damaged or uneven think you wont notice this, but a. It takes more than just three grits to achieve flat/finish free floors then have. It simply feels like a hard plastic sand most of the floor when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers like. Sanding process to remove scratches the higher the number, the sequence is 24-36-60-80 for wood. Literature, shes spent 13 years sanding hardwood and teaching others to do it with a screen after the.... Used for sanding drywall ) synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a free consultation so that we can more! Is obvious, like the photo above dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor wont remove ugly... Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use, first consider your level! Of the prep work is obvious, like removing all the furniture covering! A 120 grit screen flooring use a coarse 30-40 grit, progress to a medium grit... Of ducts next pass better control too coarse will leave an ugly in! Many nowadays flooring use a coarse 30-40 grit, progress to a medium grit... To understand how to make a quick buck sharp, it may be beyond its.! Right grits take up to 24 hours to dry between coats want that changed, so this one... Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use this kit, consider. Well-Ventilated rooms when sanding or applying stain or finish use when there is good. To 24 hours ; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker onto the next time comment. Orbital or square-buff sander ) quick buck completely dry and its surface is hard, usually after 24... Money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them if your flooring is of... Obvious, like removing all the furniture and covering what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors with plastic 100 grit blade of home... Your flooring is made of laminate, as it simply feels like a hard plastic specific sanding..