How to Apply Varathane to Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are usually finished with stain that soaks into the wood and gloss that sits on top of it. The gloss used to be varnish or shellac most often, but today, urethane and polyurethane are more common. These are clear plastic coatings that go on in liquid form and dry in a hard, protective shell. Varathane is a top brand of urethane. Like all floor glosses, it's prone to developing bubbles, so never shake the can to mix it.

Things You'll Need

• Power pad sander
• Fine sandpaper
• Broom
• Tackcloths (slightly sticky rags)
• Varathane finish
• Stirring stick
• Paint brushes

Instructions

1. Use your power pad sander to dull the surface of the floor, taking off the existing shine but nothing else.

2. Sweep up the dust. Wipe the whole floor with tackcloths.

3. Open the can of Varathane. Stir gently with a stirring stick, pulling the material up from the bottom of the can and mixing it in slowly. Don't shake or slosh the Varathane, as that will cause bubbles.

4. Spread Varathane onto the floor beginning at the side of the room farthest from the entrance. Brush it on with a finishing paint brush, in slow, careful strokes that go with the direction of the floor planks. Look for formation of bubbles in the gloss and brush them out as they occur.

5. Gloss the whole floor. Let it dry four to six hours.

6. Hand-sand the floor with fine sandpaper, very lightly, using small, quick strokes to dull the shine so the next layer will adhere. Go over the floor with tackcloths to pick up the dust.

7. Brush on a second layer of Varathane, using the same process as before. Let it dry. Sand it by hand. Clean up the dust.

8. Apply a third layer. Let it dry 24 hours before using the floor.

References

• HammerZone.com: Finishing a New Hardwood Floor With Oil-Based Urethane