How to Refinish a Bamboo Floor
Refinishing a bamboo floor is much the same as refinishing any hardwood floor; it takes a little effort, but the results are worth it. You can refinish a bamboo floor over a weekend to change the color or simply enhance the appearance. Deepen the wood grains with a coat of stain or leave them natural with a polyurethane topcoat for protection and shine. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sanding machine
- Broom and mop
- Stain/polyurethane
- Sponges
- Masks
- Paint tray
- Sponge mop
Instructions
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Sand the old finish off of the bamboo flooring with an orbital floor sander. You can rent sanders from your local home store to complete this project. Select medium grade sandpaper and go over the surface of the floor lightly and evenly; you only need to remove the finish. Light colored sand is fine, but if your sanding dust becomes darker, you should stop sanding as you've reached the bamboo.
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2
Remove the sanding dust and debris by sweeping and then swiping the bamboo floor thoroughly with a damp mop. All of the sanding dust must be removed before you refinish your floor as any debris left on the bamboo will show up in the new finish, either visibly or in a rough texture. Let the floor dry completely.
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3
Apply the new finish to your bamboo floor with a sponge mop. Pour the stain or polyurethane into a paint pan and spread it out with the mop. Apply an even coat over the bamboo. Remove any excess stain with a fresh sponge mop. Stain will alter the color of your natural bamboo, but polyurethane will add a clear layer of protection against moisture. You should add a layer of polyurethane over the top of a stained floor for protection. Some products combine stain and polyurethane in one step.
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Allow one layer of finish to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions before sanding the floors again or walking on the floor. Sand dry floors with light grade sandpaper. Apply another layer of stain or polyurethane. Apply as many layers of new material as you like to refinish your bamboo, sanding lightly in between coats.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply a sealer, two to three times a year, to finished bamboo floors that receive heavy traffic.
Stain or paint in a well ventilated room.
