| Refinishing your hardwood floors yourself can be | | | | sander is similar since it creates a lot of heat, keeping |
| time consuming and a bit scary at first but well worth | | | | it in 1 spot can burn or dent your floor. |
| it in the long run. It can cost a bundle to hire a | | | | The sander is a self propelling machine so it is easy |
| professional to refinish your floors for you, but if you | | | | to move, but you do need to keep in control of it at |
| have the time, you can do it yourself. The most | | | | all times. Retain a firm grip on it when you power it |
| difficult part is learning to run the sander. Many | | | | up and you will get the hang of it after a few |
| people are afraid of ruining their floors, and you can | | | | passes. You might even think it's fun! |
| really damage a floor if you do not take care in the | | | | Once you have removed to old finish by sanding, of |
| sanding. | | | | course, you will need to apply the new finish. First |
| Sanding is fairly easy if you pay attention and the | | | | you will apply a stain (if you want a stain - some |
| finish does not take as long to dry as you might | | | | folks like to leave their floors natural) and then the |
| have been led to believe. You can rent a sander from | | | | finish to protect the floor. There are basically two |
| your local Home Depot or hardware supply store. | | | | types of floor finishes: one is oil-based and the other |
| You'll need a drum sander, a belt sander or both. | | | | is water-based polyurethane. Furthermore, oil is |
| They will explain to you how to use the machine and | | | | broken down into a semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Satin is |
| tell you what kind of sand paper to purchase. They | | | | a good choice for a hardwood floor because it hides |
| will also tell you what kind of stain and finish to get. | | | | small flaws and lets the natural beauty of the wood |
| Make sure you also pick up some dust masks | | | | show without a bright shine. An oil based finish will |
| because you will have saw dust everywhere. | | | | give your floor a warm amber glow. A water based |
| The key to a good floor finish is the surface, so the | | | | finish will dry quicker and keep from yellowing. |
| most important thing when learning how to run the | | | | Make sure you let each coat thoroughly dry before |
| sander is getting a feel for the equipment. Sanders | | | | applying the next. Follow the manufacturers |
| are not as hard to use as you think. They are loud | | | | instructions on the finish before you occupy the |
| and messy, but fairly easy to operate. Just keep the | | | | room again. Usually you can move your furniture back |
| sander in motion at all times. Moving the sander in a | | | | in after about 24 hours. |
| constant motion will reduce the risk of damaging your | | | | Don't be overwhelmed. Just take it one step at a |
| floor. Equate it to using an iron on your clothes - if | | | | time and you'll soon have a beautiful new hardwood |
| you stop in 1 spot too long you'll burn a hole. The | | | | floor. |