How to Reseal a Wood Floor
A sealer gives raw, lifeless wood an attractive sheen. A layer of polyurethane sealer also protects the wood from wear and tear by providing a protective barrier between the wood and what life dishes out. Over time, wood sealer can become dull and lose some of its protective qualities. When this happens, it is time to remove the old layer of sealer and reapply. Once resealed with a water-based protectant, dirt, debris, surface scratches and moisture will be unable to penetrate the wood. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum
- Damp mop
- Coarse, medium and fine-grit sandpaper
- Paint roller
- Water-based polyurethane wood sealer
- Tack cloth
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Instructions
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Vacuum the wood floor to remove debris. Wipe the floor down afterward with a damp mop. Allow the floor to air dry.
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Sand the wood floor. Start with a coarse grit sandpaper to remove the original sealer, and then move on to a medium grit to remove any scratches or imperfections in the wood. Smooth the surface of the wood afterward with fine grit sandpaper.
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Vacuum the floor once again to remove the dust left behind after sanding. Apply the first coat of sealer immediately after vacuuming using a paint roller. Roll the sealer on as evenly as possible, following the grain of the wood. Allow the sealer to set for eight hours.
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Give the wood floor another light sanding with fine grit sandpaper. Wipe the floor with a tack cloth after sanding, removing all of the dust. Roll on a second coat of sealer. Allow the sealer to dry for 24 hours before walking on the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a very large space, you may want to rent a drum sander and an edger. The edger is for sanding along the walls, while the drum sander is best for large open spaces. The rental company will provide you with instructions on how to work each of the machines.
The lower the number, the coarser the sandpaper. A 36-grit sandpaper is coarse, while 50 to 60-grit usually falls into the medium-grit category. Sandpapers labeled 80 and up fall into the "fine" category.
Do not apply the sealer without first removing all dust, dirt and debris from the surface of the wood. Anything laying on top of the wood becomes imbedded in the sealer.
References
Resources
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