How to Finish Pine Wood Floors

Urethane can be used to finish pine wood floors

You can finish a pine wood floor by applying a coat of urethane after the floor has been installed. The urethane creates a bright finish that will also help to protect the floor. Applying urethane to a new pine floor will require you to sand the wood so the urethane will adhere to the floor. The first order of business is to choose the type or urethane that you want to use on the floor.

Things You'll Need

• Orbital sander
• Friction pad
• 100-grit sandpaper
• Vacuum
• Cloth or towel
• Paint tray
• Water-based urethane
• Trim pad
• 120-grit abrasive screen

Instructions

1. Place the 100-grit sandpaper on the floor and set the friction pad on top.

2. Set the orbital sander over the top of the sandpaper and friction pad. Plug in the sander into an outlet and turn it on. Move the sander over the floor so that you are sanding the floor evenly.

3. Clean the dust on the floor with a vacuum and then wipe up any remaining dust with a dry cloth or towel.

4. Pour a small amount of the water-based urethane into a paint tray.

5. Dip the trim pad into the urethane and apply an initial coat to the floor. Let the urethane dry between three and four hours.

6. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 but use the 120-grit abrasive screen with the sander instead of the sandpaper. This will scuff the initial coat of urethane to prepare it for a second coat.

7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to apply a second coat to the floor.

8. Wait for the urethane to dry and then apply a third coat to the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't sand over one place too long--you can leave a gouge in the floor.

References

• Popular Mechanics: Installing A Pine Floor