How to Refinish Varnished Hardwood Floors
Refinishing a hardwood floor can be a costly venture if you don't have the necessary items and knowledge before beginning. But with the proper preparation and materials, you can make worn floors look like new again. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Five-in-one painter's tool
- Putty knife
- Knee pads
- Broom
- Drywall bucket
- Finish applicator and mixing bucket
- Dust mask
- Damp towels
- Safety glasses
- large buff sander (rented)
- Small finishing sander (rented)
- Sanding pads
- Clear waterborne finish
Instructions
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1
Put on all safety gear, remove all items from the room; bring in varnish, sanders and other needed items. Using a putty knife, remove any nails in the flooring. Cover all heater vents with a towel or plastic sheet. Close off the entire area by hanging plastic sheets and taping them closed on any doorway leading into the room.
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Apply sanding paper to the machine and begin sanding across the floor, working with the grain of the wood. Use a hand sander to remove all varnish from edges of the floor. Replace sandpaper as needed--varnish will wear it out quickly and cause it to gum up.
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3
Clean up all dust and debris using brooms and a vacuum. Take a damp towel and run it along the floor beginning at one end and working toward the other.
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4
Remove from the room any equipment, dirty towels and any other tools other than the painter's tool, varnish, buckets and varnish applicators.
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5
Mix the varnish into the bucket and apply to entire floor. Do any closet space and small enclosed areas first. Varnish the floor working from dry to wet, starting the farthest from the doorway and working toward it.
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Tips & Warnings
If using clear varnish, apply any stain first allow the stain to dry thoroughly. Sand the stain using 220-grit sandpaper. Use three to four layers to completely stain the floor. Read all directions before beginning. Work in small areas until the flooring is finished to ensure a thorough job.
Keep all oil-soaked rags away from any flames or heat as they are very flammable and a fire hazard. Never take off any safety items while working in the room. Do not place oil-soaked rags in a pile and leave them--it could lead to spontaneous combustion.
