How to Finish Hickory Hardwood Floors
Hickory flooring has beautiful wood grain. It has a tight grain, which will receive stain comparably to other hardwoods, and it can be identified by the brown and black streaks which are found within the grain. Its surface can be a bit rougher than other hardwoods, which will require more attention in sanding. The average do-it-yourself homeowner can finish their hickory floors in one to two days, depending on the size of the project. if you are planning on finishing your own hickory hardwood floors, then you should know about the tools and techniques available before you begin. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Floor sander
- Edge sander
- Orbital sander
- Floor buffer with screen
- Cotton rags
- Stain
- Polyurethane finish
Instructions
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Sand the floor with a belt sander made for hardwood floors. The belt sander can be rented from a tool rental store. It resembles an upright vacuum cleaner and must be pushed across the wood floor by hand. Sand with the grain of the wood. Begin sanding with an 80-grit belt to even the floor boards. Use a 120-grit belt to smooth the floor and a 220 belt to add a finishing touch. Use the edging sander and orbital sander to reach areas of the floor near the wall and in corners.
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Apply wood conditioner to the floor using a cotton rag. The conditioner will seal any imperfect wood grain and prevent blotches. Allow the conditioner to dry for two to four hours before you apply the stain.
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Apply wood stain to the hickory flooring using a large stain brush and a cotton rag. Use the brush to apply the stain and the cotton rag to wipe away any excess. Use gel stain for a deep ambient color. Use lighter color stains in order to accent the black and brown wood grains within the hickory wood. If you stain the flooring with a darker wood stain, then the hickory grain will be hidden by the color.
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Apply the first coat of polyurethane finish to your hickory floor using a foam applicator. You can purchase the special applicator from almost any hardware or paint store. Literally pour the polyurethane onto the floor and spread it out with the applicator. Cut in the areas near the walls and in the corners first, though. After the first coat has dried, use the floor polisher--rented from a tool rental store--to remove the raised grain of the wood. The polyurethane finish will raise the grain of the hickory, making it rough. The floor polisher should be loaded with a 120-grit sanding screen. After the grain has been smoothed, add another coat of finish. You can add up to five coats of finish, but make sure that you sand in between each coat.
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Tips & Warnings
Never allow the sanders to sit in one place while running. They will damage the flooring by sanding away too much wood.
