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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Home Improvement
Choosing And Using The Best Wood Floor Sander
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Perhaps the hardest part of the refinishing project will be learning to use the wood floor sander. Many homeowners are understandably reluctant to use a sander, and they may fear damaging the flooring surface. While it is true that using a wood floor sander improperly can damage the floor, once you get the hang of it, using the sander should be fairly simple. The first step of course is to get the sanders you will need. For those who do not already own sanders, they can often be rented from a hardware store or rental center. You may want to rent a drum sander, a belt sander or both. The rental center or hardware store should be able to show you how to use the sanders to give you pointers on the best type of sandpaper to purchase. When using the sander it is important to wear a dust mask, since sanding the wood floor will kick up plenty of dust. The key to a good wood floor refinishing project is the surface of the floor, so it is important to learn how to run the wood floor sander before you get started. The most important thing is to keep the sander moving at all times. Moving the sander in a smooth and consistent motion will help to obtain the smooth flooring surface that will be needed in order for the stain or finish to set well. It is important to keep control of the wood floor sander at all times, and to maintain a firm grip on the handle. After a few passes you will no doubt learn how to operate the sander to its best advantage, and you may even find that sanding the wood floor is lots of fun. After the old finish has been removed using the sander, it is time to apply that great new stain and finish. The first step is to apply the stain, and then to apply the finish to keep the floor protected. There are two types of finishes for wood floors - oil based and water based polyurethane. Finishes are further broken down into gloss, semi-gloss and satin. Satin finishes can look great on hardwood floors because they tend to hide those little flaws while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Oil based finishes, on the other hand, will provide the floor with a warm glow, while water based finishes dry more quickly and resist yellowing better than other types of finish. Each coat of finish should be allowed to dry thoroughly before the next coat is applied, and it is important to carefully follow the instructions of the manufacturer before getting started. The drying period varies form finish to finish, but in most cases the wood floor should be dry within 24 hours. About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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