Sand Floorboards
Sanding a hardwood floor appears intimidating but it can be done
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Sanding a hardwood floor appears intimidating but, once you’re comfortable using the power tools involved, it isn’t a difficult job. Hire a belt sander, which is easy to control, doesn’t bounce on the floor and won’t clog. The belt is easy to change when it’s become worn.
STEP 1
Remove the old finish
Use a 40-grit sanding belt along the grain to remove the old finish. When the main area is done, sand the starting area. Sand about 300mm into the already sanded area and work towards the wall. Use an edge sander near the skirtings.
STEP 2
Sand the floor
Go over the floor with an 80-grit sanding belt, moving slowly and lifting at the end of the pass. Overlap and sand to the wall again. Edge sand again using 80-grit discs. Change to 100-grit belt and sand the floor again. Use a finish sander along skirtings
STEP 3
Buff the floor
Go over the floor using a buffer with a 100-grit sanding screen. For areas the buffer can’t reach, sand by hand using a hand-held orbital sander with 100-grit paper. Scrape away any finish the sander misses using a carbide scraper.
Smooth Sanding
Old Floors require checking before sanding. Pull up a threshold from a doorway to see how much wood remains above the tongue of the hardwood strip. If less than 3mm, sanding will cause cracks.
Overlap each pass by about 50mm. Check sanding belt often for clogs.
Keep the sander moving to avoid removing more wood than necessary.
Vary the starting point for each time you sand over the floor.
New Boards should be sanded at 45º to level irregularities before sanding with the grain.
Punch Nails 3mm below the surface as protruding nails tear the belt and damage the sander.
Use irregular motion when using the buffer, moving it backwards and forwards across the grain.
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