Project Guide: Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Sand as though you are mowing the lawn. Proceed row by row, overlapping runs by half the sander’s width. Unlike with mowing, however, you will have to make numerous passes with each grit.

Industrial vacs will do a better job, but save the rental fee and use your shop vac instead. Install a new filter and invest in a good brush attachment, if you don’t already have one.

A single wipe with a tack cloth removed a significant amount of dust, even after vacuuming.

Use a brush to cut in around the room perimeter.

Applying stain (as well as sealer and polyurethane) is done using many of the same techniques you’d use when painting. Always begin your stroke a foot or two away from the area you’ve just coated. Then brush (or push applicator) to meet the previously stained area. This will help ensure even coverage.

Apply polyurethane in two- or three-foot-wide parallel rows, each row overlapping the previous one. Make smoothing strokes (uninterrupted, continuous runs with the roller using light, even pressure) after completing each row. Avoid thick coats.

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