How to Strip Wood Floors

Wood floors are popular and can add a beautiful dimension to any room if they are finished properly. Whether you prefer a high gloss or a more muted look to your wood floors, any good finish requires proper preparation. Wood floors should always be stripped before changing the finish or refurbishing the existing look. If you plan to strip the wood floors yourself, take a few of these tips.

Instructions

Chemical Stripping

1. Use a chemical wood stripper if your floors have been sanded too much and you cannot afford to take off another level. Chemicals are also a good alternative when you do cannot work up a pile of dust in the room because there is sensitive equipment present.

2. Apply the chemicals in a well-ventilated room because they are toxic and you want to avoid breathing them as much as you can.

3. Lay out the chemical one section at a time. Leave it on, following the directions of the product. You will see the old finish begin to bubble up.

4. Use a scraper blade to easily lift it off. Apply more chemical remover to stubborn areas and repeat the process until all the finish is removed.

5. Invest in a pair of padded kneepads for any kind of floor stripping project. Moving around a pad or towel is a major hassle and kneeling on your bare knees will quickly make the job unbearable.

Sanding

1. Clean the floor first to get off all the dust and dirt that may be on the floor and in any crevices. Use a cleaner that does not leave a residue and rinse often. Check for nails or gouges and other imperfection in the floor while you are cleaning. Remove nails and other objects that may be stuck on the floor before you begin stripping.

2. Use a belt sander if you are strong enough to hold it still while sanding. If you ease off on a belt sander, it can fly across a room, creating a mess of your floors.

3. Stay away from large orbital sanders because no wood floor looks good with swirls. A lightweight hand sander is a great tool for easy action. It may take longer but you will be able to get a good feel for the work and easily remain true to the grain.

4. Run the sander in the direction of the grain. It's best to start at one end of the room and move up and down rather than trying to do sections where you may get off track and make some sideways swipes with the sander.

5. Vacuum or sweep the dust often to avoid clumping on the sandpaper. You will be better able to see the grain as well if it is not covered with sawdust.