How to Restain Wood Floors
Scuff marks, scratches and dull worn areas change your once-beautiful wood floor into one that looks distressed. To restore your floor's like-new appearance, you might consider restaining the wood. Not only will this brighten up the room, but it also provides the opportunity to try a different color on your floor. Before you do anything, be sure you have a wood floor and not one that is a veneer. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sander
- Sandpaper
- Stain
- Lint-free cloth
- Polyurethane (or other clear protective finish)
- Pad applicator or natural bristle brush
Instructions
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Clear the room of all furnishings. Either tie back the drapes so they are out of the way or remove them. The floors you plan to refinish should be completely bare. Remove the base molding carefully and set it somewhere safe. Clean the floor. If your floor has been waxed, use mineral spirits (or other wax removal products) to remove any wax build-up. After cleaning, allow the floor ample time to dry thoroughly. If your floor was nailed down, check to make sure the nail heads are all recessed. Use a nail set on any protruding nails.
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Sand the floor to remove the old finish and stain. Follow all directions for your sander. Most likely, you will start with a 40 to 60 (coarse to medium) grit sandpaper. Sand the floor again, this time using an 80-grit sandpaper. After the dust has been allowed to settle, vacuum the floor. Now you can see if there are any small dents, holes or scratches that should be mended. If you have any such places, use a stainable wood filler to make repairs. Then sand the floor again with 100-grit sandpaper.
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Clean the area again. Vacuum up the wood dust. Clean dust off walls, windows, door frames, built-in bookcases and any other surface in the room. You do not want dust to settle onto the floor while the stain is drying. After vacuuming and wiping down all surfaces with a damp cloth, wipe the floor with a clean cloth, dampened with mineral spirits. Wait until the floor has dried before staining.
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Apply the stain using a lint-free cloth. Always follow the label directions provided on the side of the stain can. In general, do not allow the stain to penetrate for more than 3 minutes. This is to ensure your stain color will be uniform on the floor. Start in a far corner and apply the stain along the wood grain. Work your way back toward the door (or exit) so you are able to stain the whole floor without walking on any freshly stained portion. Remember to stir the stain thoroughly before using it. Likewise, you should stir the stain during use. Use another clean and lint-free cloth to remove excess stain; always wipe with the grain.
Let the floor dry. It is optional to apply a second coat, but if you want to, wait 4 to 6 hours after the first coat if you want a darker shade. If not, a single coat is sufficient. -
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Apply a polyurethane protective finish--or other clear protective finish--on the dry floor. If you plan to apply an oil-based polyurethane, let the stain dry at least 8 hours beforehand. If you will be applying a water-based polyurethane, you need to let the floor dry for 24 hours beforehand. Pour the polyurethane into a paint tray. Use either a pad applicator (lambs wool or synthetic) or a natural bristle brush to apply the clear finish. Apply in the same manner as you did the stain--start in a far corner and work your way toward a door. Let it dry for approximately 3 to 4 hours, or until the floor is no longer tacky. Apply additional coats if your product recommends it.
Replace the base molding. Return furniture to room and enjoy your new floor.
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Tips & Warnings
If your floors are damaged to the point the boards are cupped, bowed or otherwise in need of repair, you need to address fixing those issues before refinishing your floor. For that, you might want to contact a floor professional. A circular, random orbit or vibrating-type sander is better for a sand-and-recoat job than a drum or belt sander.
Wear a dust filter mask and safety glasses when operating a sander. Follow all manufacturer's directions on the use of your sander. Remember that if not used properly, a sander can damage your floor.
