I am attempting to refinish our hardwood floors. They are solid hardwood (don’t know species) installed in early 60’s but covered by carpet since (I’m guessing) the 70’s. Sanding took time and many different rental sanders, but the job got done. Staining was easier than I expected. I swept and vacuumed before applying first top coat, but the floor is pretty contaminated with dust. I am not the most careful guy in the world, so this is likely not the best task for me, but it is what it is… I’m the one doing it. The floor has dried a few days now and can take foot traffic easily. I had to delay the second coat for various reasons. The finish is obviously gritty/bumpy all over.
My question is the following: can I minimize the poor job of the first coat with light sanding or buffing before applying the second coat? I know I am supposed to scuff the surface with 220 grit sandpaper before applying second oil-based poly coat. Maybe I can be slightly more aggressive and get out some of the bumps? Will the second coat naturally hide some of the previous imperfections?
For the second coat I do plan to be cleaner and keep everyone out of the house for the drying (wasn’t able to do that for the first coat… had work going on all throughout house) on the coat. I plan to sweep, vacuum, wipe with mineral spirit dampened cloth before applying next coat.
Any advice/tips appreciated. Hopefully I don’t get too many "you should have done this or that" posts… I’d like to move forward from where I am now.
Thanks in advance.
Without seeing the job it’s hard to tell. You may get by with a lite sanding, but any bumps you leave will look twice as bad after the second coat.
Hi,
Only a waterbased urethane has the potential to raise the grain but i doubt thats the cause plus oak (most commom flooring) is a hard wood & usually doesn’t have the grain raised. You need to sand with 220 paper or screen, vacuum real good then use tack cloths to pick up the fine residue you can’t see & go over the whole floor. Apply the next coat either by brush or floor applicator.
The finish coat has caused the grain of the wood to stand up. A light sanding will remove all of the roughness. Wipe well with a damp rag and let dry before applying the next coat of finish.
you will have to light sand between coats ..also make sure to put a fresh filter in the house air return after you clean up the floor. they get dusty fast from all the sanding and will recirculate some amount of dust for a while
Use vinegar, dont mix water. just clean the floor with vinager, and let it dry naturally, this will help
It depends on the job you want
If half butted ( you know what I mean ) is OK keep going but it won”t get better – poly will make it stand out even more
If good job is desired start over
Just sweeping and vacuuming are not enough and my guess is you got dirt and saw dust stained into the floor as well
I buy packs of 20 soft cotton rags and spritz them with mineral spirits and wipe the floor with them under a clean dust mop – you won’t believe what you’ll pick up off a supposedly clean floor – also clean baseboards, window sills, door casings, everything and don’t run AC or have windows open – being clean is the most important thing