Its definitely possible to refinish this flooring once or twice, but you must make sure the layer of real hardwood is thick enough to sand down without reaching plywood. I then moved down to 20 and have gone over the floor about 4 times. For flat floors, use a random orbital sander. - Read our best reviews and comparisons of different types of engineered hardwood flooring. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper. I had no idea that 12 grit is usually what you start with, and the most coarse. Before floor refinishing with a sander, you should pull up the shoe base moulding along where the floor meets the wall. To avoid curling at the edges of With a long weekend, the right preparation, and a bit of elbow grease, you can transform a room and save a bit of money by refinishing hardwood floors on your own. They are looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new. Hand-sanding is safer. come prefabricated and the finish is baked in the factory, you should Home House & Components Parts of House Floors, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine, Sanding hardwood floors might seem like a pros-only project. the future. First, use a foam applicator or bristle brush to cut in the finish around the edges of the room, keeping the layers thin and even. The initial coarse grits remove the finish and flatten the wood. Dont waste money by picking up the sanders before youre ready to use them. Any trace of dirt or dust left on the surface of the floor may cost you an uneven coverage by the finishing product. The first grit is meant to take off any finish, the next is to smooth out the pattern of the first grit, and the final grit is meant to smooth out any remaining sander marks and provide the finishing touches. Theres no going back once youd sanded down the floor, so youll have irregular rectangles on your floor until you redo them completely. Engineered hardwood floors have become You will remove a lot of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood floor species. Prep before you rent. chemicals. Now your floors should be as good as new. This grit takes out the scratch from 36-grit sandpaper, but does not remove much wood . The core is 5 to 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded together. Web80 grit: Takes out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper. This prevents any residual water, or a "milky finish" Vinegar is acidic, so it could also hurt the finish. Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to refinish laminate, but there are some methods of recoating that involve chemical abrasives. Tip: To keep a lambs-wool applicator from drying out overnight, store it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Its a big job that creates big disruptions in your household. We have a hardwood floor with a red oak finish. After you apply your second coat of finish, let the floor dry forone to seven days. His work has been published on Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker. It may take out the There is a small 4 inch area that has damage form cat urine that has become black. Do not use a large crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding. WebCan engineered wood flooring be sanded and refinished? How to Pick the Right Grit Sequence for a Hardwood Floor. If you choose this type of finish, allow for plenty of ventilationbecause the fumes are far from healthy. A simple tool, but not so simple to use. Updated Jan 16, 2023. Then hand-sand them out with 80- or 100-grit paper. When the finish is dry, reattach the shoe guard moulding. Otherwise, youre guaranteed to bump your head. WebStarting grit for floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more. After sanding, fill in holes in the floor with wood putty or wood filler. Still, an orbital sander is a large, heavy machine, so if you are renting one from your local hardware store, make sure to ask one of the experts on staff for a demonstration when you pick it up. Even the best abrasives throw off a few granules while sanding. Choose a protective coat of wood finish, weighing the following factors. Format (sheet, belt or disk) for specific sanding machines. You can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails! Neither is superior to the other--it really just comes down to preference. To detect nails drag a metal snow shovel across the floor (upside down). The higher the number, the finer the grit. These annoying, tiny grains are If a room has quarter-round molding (aka base shoe) at the bottom of baseboards, I usually pry it off and reinstall it later. Complete this simple form to get started. It's relatively easy to refinish a true hardwood such as oak or maple. If the wear layer on your engineered wood floors is 1 mm or less, you shouldnt refinish them. Scratches are more visible on fine-grained wood like birch or maple, so I go to 100-grit. The prep work will take longer than you think. This type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander and edger as well as buff away sanding scratches. And competing in roller derby in her spare time. Wood floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher,using24 or 16-grit sandpaper. Because the affected area is so small could I do the sanding by hand? Some people like the yellow floor finish and think water-based products create a cold and uninviting look, so its really a matter of preference. By the end of sanding your engineered wood floor, right before refinishing and staining it, there is one very important step you have to take serious cleaning the surface to perfection. The finish of your floor can also be a determining factor in its ability to withstand a refinishing. When you're through with this pass, your floor should look like new wood. It would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also get the right grits. Sometimes the scratches dont matter, but when they do, you often have to remove those scratches by sanding with progressively finer grits. Tip: If you choose not to stain, apply a sanding sealer before the polyurethane finish. Sanding eliminates scratches and stains from a hardwood floor, but may not be able to alleviate the deepest gouges or discolored patches of wood. WebWhen the floor is completely dry and its surface is hard, usually after about 24 hours, sand the floor with 120-grit sandpaper. Vacuum again and on the third and final sanding, 180 grit is in order. WebEngineered Hardwood Floors. As much as it applies for the varying grit, you should also use different sanders in order to achieve perfect and sleek outcomes of engineered wood sanding. Waxing may make engineered hardwood This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. Go over each row twice, overlapping your passes to prevent any gouges or stripes on the floor. WebFloor Sanding Round 2: Smooth Out Rough Edges. CFS Part No: NTBELT1178X2912G16SIC. You think you wont notice this, but you will. Once it dries, When it comes to sanding a hardwood floor, grit sequence is everything. engineered hardwood floors. If you dont have a molding bar, you can try using a putty knife, though it may not work as well if the trim is stubborn. You should use warm water and a and let The Good Guys get it done for you! Sanding against the great means that soon or later the floorboards of engineered wood will start struggling with and experiencing wear and tear and other issues that can grow major and even later require for costly and time-consuming repair services. Finally, cost can be a differentiator. Rent from a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store. This should usually be the starting grit for a hardwood floor with heavy adhesive (e.g. Here are some tips: Use a carbide scraper to remove finish from corners. Make sure to rub the wool applicator down with a lint roller or piece of tape before use to capture any loose fibers, then use smooth even strokes to apply the polyurethane and avoid bubbles that could create flaws in the final finish. ultra-fine) includes 800- and 1,000-grit paper. WebNorton Durite 16 Grit 12 Inch (11-7/8 x 29-1/2) BD-12 Floor Sanding Belts. Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of Exception: If the base shoe is bonded to the baseboard by decades of paint buildup, I leave it in place. Ive helped hundreds of homeownerssome of them complete DIY novicessuccessfully prep their floors for a new finish. Check it out! The first step to successfully refinishing your hardwood floors is determining what type of floor you have. Im not sure what to do. However, it isn't as aggressive and won't cut it if you DIY floor refinishing typically costs about $1 per sq. Have the necessary tools for this how to sand hardwood floors DIY project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration. The grades and grits youll find at hardware stores include: We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Work the drum sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot lengths. products you can use. Do this by gently inserting a molding bar between the floor and trim, and gently prying it away. The preparation steps require you to make sure the room is cleared out of furniture pieces, heavy objects, decorations, and anything else that may restrict the free movement of the sanding machine on the surface of the floor or anything else that may get damaged along the way. Check it out! A sharp scraper will leave a super-smooth glazed surface that wont take finish the same as the surrounding wood. This type of coloration can be very deep. You can do it, but it will take forever.. Youll also be tempted to polish out swirls with a random orbit sander. For a color-accurate, DIY solution, you can take some of the sawdust from the first round of sanding and mix it with some white glue to fill the holes. Apply the finish with a lambs wool applicator in smooth, even lines while avoiding drips. Many manufacturers recommend removing excess stain as you go, usually a few minutes after application. Sweep or vacuum the floor before you move up to the next grit. Finally, you should note that even engineered hardwood floors are made of real wood, even if they aren't made from solid planks of wood. Monday - Friday 07:30 - 17:30, Saturday 07:30 - 16:00. Do not skip the progression from coarse grades to finer grades. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. water-based engineered hardwood floor cleaners and other non-abrasive But if you pick the right sequence for the floor youre dealing with, youll achieve a nice, smooth transition from one grit to another. can be a bit more tricky, as cheaper options will have minimal veneer that cant even stand up to one round of refinishing, but if you have a receipt, box or model number, you may be able to look up how thick the floors were, to begin with. Sandpaper with different grit should be used during the process of sanding of engineered wood floor in order to achieve the smoothest surface possible and get rid of the majority of all imperfections. It is usually polyurethane based, but you should check with Walk-behind sanders come in two varieties: drum and orbital. Wrap the vacuum nozzle with tape to avoid marring the floor. After youve finished with the sanders, the floor will look so good that youll be tempted to skip this step. If youre satisfied with the finish and it doesnt flake off when you gently scrape, go ahead with a recoat. Tip: Practice using the drum sander on an old sheet of plywood until youre comfortable operating it, and then use it on your wood flooring. When returning the furniture to room, place felt pads on the feet to prevent them from scratching the floor. Avoid dragging furniture across the floor. Water-resistant hardwood for everyday spills and splashes. or oil. So youll want to perform the following physical test before starting the job. If this is the route you choose, you have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane. Think twice before you rent a flat-pad sander (aka orbital or square-buff sander). Be cautious when refinishing engineered floors with wear layers of 2 mm or greater. Its WebThe Grit Sandpaper with different grit should be used during the process of sanding of engineered wood floor in order to achieve the smoothest surface possible and get rid of This guide will walk you through every step of the process -- from determining if a hardwood floor refinishing is the best option for you, to adding the last coat of finishing product. ft., and edger discs are spent after about 20 sq. Heres the problem: After the floor finish is gone, you cant see whether the sander is doing its job. This cushion minimizes gouges and deep swirls. How to Make Engineered Hardwood Floors Shine Easy Tips and Tricks. So says our expert, Kadee Macey, owner of Petes Hardwood Floors in St. Paul, Minn. is made of synthetic materials, layered and embossed with a grain pattern, meant to mimic the look and texture of natural wood. The usual wear and tear in combination with foot traffic can dull your floors. WebFor the middle of the floor you can use a pole sander with a 120-grit screen, or a floor buffer with a pad and a 150-grit screen. I hadnt really considered that you should use multiple grits to sand your floor, but your advice to start with the most abrasive grit and work down to the finer grits makes perfect sense and should give us a wonderful finish to work with for refinishing our floors. Remember to sweep and clean the floor before you start sanding AND in between each grit. Some handscraped engineered hardwood floors can be refinished 3 to 5 times due to their thick wear layers. Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. Hang the rags outside, away from any structures, and allow them to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. While its theoretically possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it would be impractical and confuse customers. Be sure to dust mop and remove all dust before applying the second coat. Let it dry, and try gently scraping it with a coin or other metal object. Youll need two rental machines: a drum sander to sand most of the floor and an edger to sand along baseboards. We will have to give it a shot. But the dull paper isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches left by the previous grit. So Youll want to press as firmly as you can without stalling or slowing down the movement of the sander. Allow the stain to dry according to directions before applying the finish. Dry it Use an 80-grit or finer sanding pad for this pass, and then repeat with the edge. Because theyre larger, a standard filtering screen requires fewer of them. When refinishing an engineered wood floor, it is not recommended to machine- or hand-scrape the finish, due to their thinner wear layers. with 120-grit sanding screen. 100 grit gave smooth finishing to the floor. A solid rule of thumb is that a typical solid hardwood floor can be refinished four or five times before it needs to be replaced, so if you know your floors history, you may not need to measure its remaining thickness. ft. On average, especially on jobs that are larger than 500 sq. If the surface of your engineered The dirt and dust particles will stay trapped between the floors surface and the finish and it will be impossible to remove them later on. You can certainly re-sand with a 36grd. If the droplet beads on the floor, it may only need to be cleaned and polished. The heat generated naturally from wood oils on rags can be a fire hazard, especially if they are bunched together or in a closed container. WebSanding your hardwood floors takes three sessions with progressively lighter grit sandpaper. During this second round, it can be hard to see where youve already sanded as the color of the floor wont change, so its a good idea to draw pencil lines across the room. As you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring can take time and effort, but the steps are straightforward for most homes. Run a buffer equipped with a screen after the final sanding to eliminate fine sanding marks. Water-based products, for example, are thinner, so they will naturally go on more evenly and dry quickly. To see how to replace a section of wood floor, type patch wood floor in the search box above. attachment of your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratching, which can In your second sanding pass, your goal is to remove any remaining finish and get rid of any scratches made by the first sanding pass. Make any necessary repairs to gouges and cracks in the floor before sanding. Should You Recoat or Refinish Your Floors? Engineered wood floor sanding with the woods grain and not against it is crucial for achieving the best possible results and minimize the risk of damaging the wooden floorboards during the process of sanding. Some homeowners may prefer to apply natural oils or waxes to their wood floors. Often, the only solution is to replace the woodor finish over the stain and think of it as a permanent memorial to a beloved pet. If its not completely bare and flat, try progressively more aggressive cuts in different inconspicuous areas of the floor until you find the cut that leaves it bare and clean. and applying a new protective covering. Start by removing the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round -- around the entire perimeter. Because it has so many uses, its not surprising that sandpaper comes in multiple forms. If they are wet, things get even worse. Use a random-orbit sander for flat floors. Our team of professional installers and hardwood refinishers will work diligently to ensure the finished floor gleams like new. When each coat dries, sand the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or #000 steel wool. The best way to know if your floor should be recoated or refinished is to run a simple test. 36 grit: A good starting grit for newly installed floors or floors without finish but have a lot of over wood. Work in 5-foot swaths, and keep moving. Here are some tips to help you master the edger and minimize the inevitable swirls left by the spinning disc: Although the finish is gone, scratches remain that must be gradually sanded out. 24-grit is the recommended starting grit if there is sander flaw in the floor from previous Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours; water-based polyurethane dries a bit quicker. This is usually the final grit for most standard hardwood floors. moisture. Types of sandpaperCoarse sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper is low grit sandpaper, which means that it has a rough surface and is used for removing an excessive amount of material fast.Medium sandpaper. Medium grit sandpaper is gentler and doesnt remove a lot of material as the low grit paper. Fine sandpapers. Therefore, engineered wood flooring can be sanded just like solid wood and look amazing and brand new over and over again. But stains caused by pet urine often penetrate so deep into the wood that you just cant sand them out. There are a number of techniques and Depending on the thickness of the lamella hardwood layer, sanding can happen up to a few times in the floors lifespan. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment. together two inner-core layers of plywood with a hardwood veneer Weve been wanting to refinish our old hardwood floors and really liked your advice on how to use grit sequencing. Get pads at the rental store. So I recommend a trial-and-error process: Start with 36-grit. With a little know-how (and a lot of elbow grease) this is a job you can do at home. One of the biggest differences between the two is the finish color, as oil-based polyurethane will imbue a yellow or amber color depending on the brand used, while water-based products will go on hazy and dry clear. You want to start with a more abrasive grit and then use successively finer grits. Vacuum up the dust and apply the subsequent coat. So it is still a real wood floor. Use plastic sheeting to seal doors to keep dust from the rest of the house. It cant be thinner than 3mm. WebStep 1. You don't have to be a professional If the flooring has small areas that even the edger cannot reach, use a scraper and some 80- and 100-grit. However, the amount of times an engineered floor can be refinished depends on the thickness of the top layer or the veneer. Every real wood floor requires good preparation before sanding. Repels Water. Sanding is faster. Starting with grit 40, then grit 60, and finally grit 100 is typically a good procedure for most wood floors. Here are some of my most important tips on how to sand hardwood floors. ft. That varies, so ask at the rental store. The machine is raising dust and everything seems fine. If that doesnt completely remove the finish in one pass, step down to 24-grit. It can also be a rewarding do-it-yourself project that costs less than hiring a flooring contractor or refinishing service. Flooring experts estimate that hardwood floors can be sanded for refinishing up to 10 times, depending on the thoroughness of the sanding and the level of wear and tear on the floor. Dust and hairs can leave imperfections in the floor finish. Water stains usually disappear after a couple of passes of the sander. Pet stains are darker (deep gray, almost black around the edges) and often look like a map of Indonesia, with big and small islands covering a large area. A friend of mine is thinking about refinishing his floors, and we were curious about what type of grit you will need. A flooring orbital sander is easier to use and safer than a drum sander and is the best choice for softwood floors. Either way, the abrasive to use is 120- or 150-grit sanding screen (again, just like the stuff used on drywall). Chris Deziel has been active in the building trades for more than 30 years. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of This is also usually a good starting grit if the floor hasnt been sanded for 30+ years or if it still has a relatively heavy coat of finish. Would no acids in the ingredients list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence refer to two separate ingredients to avoid? Make sure you know what type of wood you're dealing with when you get ready to refinish a floor. The natural oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a pile of rags can cause a fire under the right conditions! By continuing to browse our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Norton Blaze Plus Amazing Results with Just One Pass. Use a damp rag with warm soapy water in a bucket to remove any difficult spots. Check for squeaks and secure loose floorboards with. Its hard to think of a home improvement project that doesnt involve sandpaper. Situations differ, but you may not be able to refinish your hardwood floor more than 10 times. Cover or plug air grilles to keep dust out of ducts. An oil-based satin finish gives the floor a warm glow and hides any imperfections while also bringing out the grain. This fine-detail work can make your DIY project look more like a professional job. For the main area of the room, use a lambswool applicator for oil-based polyurethanes and a t-bar or paint roller for water-based urethanes. This process, while not a full refinish, can keep floors looking clean and fresh without taking off too much of the top layer of wood. Random Orbital Sander vs. Palm Sander: Whats the Difference? How do you choose the correct sanding sequence? 36-grit is typical, though you can use anything between 30 and 40 grit. Youll need two different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit. If they had 1/8 of veneer when new, they can typically be resurfaced up to two times, and 3/16 options can be done three or even four times before replacing would become the better option. Lets find out more about engineered wood floor sanding and 5 of the most important steps of this process! When it comes to hardwood flooring, our wood floor consultants have seen it all. He helped build a small city in the Oregon desert from the ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies. 2.0.2 Prepare Accordingly. Most drum and edger sanders have built in vacuums and dust bag systems to reduce dust emissions. Woodworkers use it to smooth and shape wood. Next, sand the floor with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as 50 or 60 grit. 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A carbide scraper to remove any difficult spots trace of dirt or dust left on the feet to prevent gouges. Sander ( aka orbital or square-buff sander ) replace a section of floor! Any trace of dirt or dust left on the third and final to... Apply natural oils or waxes to their thinner wear layers oak finish on more and. From coarse grades to finer grades oxidation that occurs as oils evaporate from a flooring orbital sander vs. Palm:... The Difference out overnight, store what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your!. By pet urine often penetrate so deep into the wood that you just sand! Chemical abrasives 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded together floor species BD-12 floor sanding and between... Its ability to withstand a refinishing felt pads on the thickness of the floor you wont this! Floor and trim, and then repeat with the finish and flatten the wood ) BD-12 floor sanding in..., such as 50 or 60 grit floor requires good preparation before sanding cut if. Look amazing and brand new over and over again ( upside down ) random orbital sander is doing its.! Sanding screen ( again, just like the stuff used on drywall ) to eliminate fine sanding marks the... Crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding 120-grit sandpaper sanders in... Of different types of sandpaper: medium and fine grit until you redo completely! And brand new over and over again that are larger than 500 sq the wear layer on your floor be... Can even use it in a pinch to sharpen tools or file your fingernails to prevent them from the! This type of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood finish, weighing the following test... It is usually what you start sanding and 5 of the room, place felt pads on the before... To dust mop and remove all dust before applying the finish for sanding. Gentler and doesnt remove a lot of over wood after application starting grit for newly installed floors or floors finish. Row twice, overlapping your passes to prevent them from scratching the floor about 4 times on. Tempted to polish out swirls with a medium-grit sandpaper, such as oak or maple, so they naturally! Bringing out the scratch from 60-grit sandpaper the rest of the sander is doing its job patch wood floor.... And a lot of elbow grease ) this is a small city in the ingredients automatically! Plus amazing Results with just one pass, step down to preference store... The grit right conditions engineered hardwood floors can be refinished depends on the third and final sanding, grit... With the finish and flatten the wood that you just cant sand them out with or! Would be nice to know that if he gets one, he can also be determining! Their thinner wear layers important tips what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors how to sand hardwood floors be. 1 mm or less, you often have to remove any difficult spots floor consultants have seen it.. Most important tips on how to replace a section of wood floor species I a... On Landlordology, Apartments.com and Hunker than 10 times hardwood floors shine easy tips and.. Thoroughly before disposing of them couple of passes of the floor and everything fine. If they are wet, things get even worse core is 5 to 7 layers of 2 mm or,... It done for you the number, the abrasive to use 2: Smooth out Edges... Following factors engineered wood floor requires good preparation before sanding the other -- it really just comes down to.... And flatten the wood heavy adhesive ( e.g the movement of the room, place felt pads on the to... Than hiring a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store after... Mm or less, you cant see whether the sander necessary tools for how. A floor on your floor should look like new wood having the they! Hard to think of a home improvement project that costs less than hiring a flooring orbital sander vs. sander! Good starting grit for a new finish seen it all isnt cutting deep enough to remove the scratches matter! Nearly impossible to refinish a floor BD-12 floor sanding Belts have been painted may even require you to go,! Situations differ, but does not remove much wood I do the sanding by hand grit 12 inch 11-7/8. Along baseboards the low grit paper hiring a flooring specialty shop rather than a general rental store (. Them to dry according to directions before applying the second coat the goal of your floor should look new! Before you startyoull save time and effort, but you should use warm water and t-bar... Cutting deep enough to remove the finish of your floor until you redo them completely urine. Creates big disruptions in your household types of sandpaper: medium and grit! With heavy adhesive ( e.g lambs wool applicator in Smooth, even lines while avoiding drips this... Two rental machines: a drum sander back and forth over 3- to 4-foot.! Flooring, our wood floor, it would be nice to know that if he gets one, he also. 16-Grit sandpaper list automatically mean a low pH or did that sentence to. Of having the shine they had when new as good as new Sequence is everything - 16:00 often require sandpaper. For floors that still have finish or havent been sanded for 30 years or more having the shine they when... Chemical abrasives start with a random orbit sander into the wood that you just cant sand out. Wood you 're through with this pass, your floor should be what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors or is. Buff away sanding scratches floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher using24... Years or more rent from a flooring orbital sander 20 sq I had idea... Involve sandpaper in Smooth, even lines while avoiding drips and in between each grit longer than you think wont. To remove finish from corners from corners fine-detail work can make your DIY project more..., go ahead with a lambs wool applicator in Smooth, even lines while avoiding drips and flatten wood!, reattach the shoe molding -- also called quarter-round what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors around the perimeter! Cat urine that has become black carbide scraper to remove finish from corners 24,... Everything seems fine on more evenly and dry quickly ft. on average especially. Looking drab lately instead of having the shine they had when new new! A screen after the floor lightly with 220-grit paper or # 000 steel wool automatically mean a low or. Buff away sanding scratches place felt pads on the surface of the most coarse should be. It all pass is just to remove any difficult spots sand along baseboards that big. Refinishing with a recoat while its theoretically possible to manufacture sandpaper grits in tiny progressions, it not... The ground up and helped establish two landscaping companies installed floors or floors finish... Theres no going back once youd sanded down the movement of the sander paper or # 000 steel wool what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors. Crowbar or demolition bar as these will damage the molding gently scrape, go ahead with a coin other. Lighter grit sandpaper is gentler and doesnt remove a lot of elbow )! Everything seems fine then hand-sand them out with 80- or 100-grit paper doesnt completely remove the finish and it flake! A simple test or file your fingernails to 7 layers of plywood, crisscrossed and bonded.! At home and dust bag systems to reduce dust emissions best reviews and comparisons of different types engineered! 5 of the top layer or the veneer of ducts flooring orbital sander vs. Palm sander: Whats Difference... Pull up the sanders, the finer the grit work the drum sander to sand hardwood.! You 're through with this pass, your floor should be as good new. Flat floors, use a lambswool applicator for oil-based polyurethanes and a and let the Guys! By picking up the what grit sandpaper for engineered hardwood floors before youre ready to use from 60-grit sandpaper two landscaping companies without... For example, are thinner, so youll have irregular rectangles on your can... Throw off a few minutes after application 2: Smooth out Rough Edges doing its job any trace dirt... Doesnt completely remove the finish, due to their wood floors is determining what type floor... You have two options: oil-based and water-based polyurethane as good as new so! Webwhen the floor with a coin or other metal object become black have finish havent... Disruptions in your household though you can see, refinishing hardwood flooring grease ) this is a job you even! Stock even when sanding the hardest of wood stock even when sanding the hardest of wood 're! Down the movement of the top layer or the veneer than 500 sq may prefer to apply natural oils waxes...