How to Restore Old Maple Wood Floor
A maple floor lasts for many years, but after much foot traffic and general use the surface looks worn, dull and beaten. Don't hide an old wood floor under the cover of carpets or rugs. The nature of wood flooring allows for resurfacing and refinishing to restore the original beauty. This home improvement project requires much work and some skill, but it is achievable by a do-it-yourself type with the proper equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dust mask or respirator
- Protective goggles
- Drum sander
- Hammer
- Coarse grade sand paper
- Medium grade sand paper
- Fine grade sand paper
- Penetrating wood floor sealer
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Electric floor polisher
- Electric floor polisher steel wool pad
- Polyurethane
- Wide natural bristle paint brush
- Narrow natural bristle paint brush
- Tack cloth
Instructions
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1
Remove shoe molding, the small half round molding located at the bottom of the baseboard molding and then remove baseboard molding.
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2
Inspect the floor for loose nails and hammer them back in place.
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3
Insert coarse-grade sand paper into the drum sander.
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4
Begin sanding at the edge of the room following the pattern of the wood grain. Move with the forward motion of the sander. Do not force the sander along.
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5
Pull the sander back over the sanded area slowly and steadily until the edge of the floor is reached. Repeat this pattern throughout the entire floor surface.
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6
Insert medium-grade sand paper into the drum sander and repeat the same steps as with the coarse grade sand paper.
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7
Insert fine-grade sand paper into the drum sander and repeat the entire back-and-forth sanding process.
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8
Vacuum all dust from the wood floor.
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9
Use a rag to apply a coat of penetrating wood floor sealer. Begin at the edge of the wall and work toward the opposite wall. Follow the grain of the wood.
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10
Allow the penetrating sealer to dry.
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11
Fill in cracks and holes in the floor with a matching colored wood putty. Use a putty knife to force the wood putty in firmly.
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12
Allow the wood putty to dry.
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13
Sand the wood putty with fine grade sand paper making it flush with the existing floor.
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14
Use the electric floor polisher with the steel wool pad to polish out small bubbles and penetrating sealer unevenness. Begin at the edge of the room and work toward the opposite edge, following the wood grain.
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15
Vacuum the floor.
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16
Wipe a tack cloth, a sticky cloth, over the entire surface of the floor to remove tiny bits of sawdust.
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17
Use a narrow bristle brush to paint polyurethane around the edges and corners of the floor.
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18
Use a wide bristle paint brush to apply polyurethane to the floor. Begin in the farthest corner and work toward the door so as not to paint yourself into a corner. Follow the grain of the wood.
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Allow the polyurethane to dry thoroughly.
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20
Apply a second coat following the same steps.
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21
Allow the floor to dry completely and reinstall moldings.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep the drum sander in constant motion to avoid sanding large dents into the floor.
Use a hand sander to reach small, tight areas.
Do not walk on the refinished floor for 24 to 48 hours.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Wear a dust mask or respirator and protective goggles.
References
- Photo Credit wood image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
