Finishing Hardwood Floors

Floors are generally finished with stain and gloss.

Hardwood floors are usually finished at two levels: first, with a penetrating layer of wood stain, which sinks into the pores of the wood and highlights the grain; then, with a topcoat of clear polyurethane gloss to seal it all in. Before a floor is finished (or refinished), make sure it's thoroughly sanded to strip off the top layer of wood and open the pores so the stain can penetrate.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tack cloths
• Rubber gloves
• Wood stain
• Wide finish paint brushes
• Paper towels
• Polyurethane floor gloss
• Extra-fine sandpaper

1. Use hand to go over the entire floor with tack cloths to take up any dust or debris.

2. Put on rubber gloves. Brush wood stain onto the floor, starting in the corner farthest from the doorway. Brush it on with the direction of the boards, over as much area as you can reach from one position. Apply it heavily, so it pools.

3. Let the stain sit on the floor for about a minute. Wipe up the excess with paper towels. Proceed over the rest of the floor with the same process, working your way out toward the doorway.

4. Let the stain dry for 24 hours. Go over it again with tack cloths to pick up any dust.

5. Brush on a coat of polyurethane, starting in the same far corner where you began the staining. Spread the gloss thinly and smoothly, with the direction of the boards. Work your way out of the room, covering the whole floor as you go.

6. Let the gloss set overnight. Lightly buff it with extra-fine sandpaper to dull the shine. Pick up the dust with tack cloths.

7. Apply a second coat of polyurethane in the same manner as the first. Let it dry, dull the shine, and apply a third layer. Let it cure for two days before using the floor.

References

• Essex-Silver: Floor Refinishing Tips