- 1
Prepare your floor. Check for gaps, loose boards or any damage. Once your floor is repaired and ready to go, take the nail set and hammer all the nails well below the surface of each board. It is important that no nail heads stick out because they can tear the sandpaper. When done, sweep off any debris from under the baseboards. - 2). Use the sanding machine with very coarse paper, in most cases 20 grit, in a diagonal direction across the floor to even out floorboards and remove dirt layers. Work back across the floor diagonally in the opposite direction. The grit number depends on the condition of the floor. Usually, the lightest grit completes the first cut, which removes the old finish and levels the floor. If your floor is in good condition, use a 40 grit.
- 3
Different sanding machines.
Use a 40 grit in the sanding machine to then work in strips across the boards. If you used a 40 grit first, jump to a 60 medium grit for this step. Sand in one direction, and then work back along the strip. Switch off the machine to move to the next strips, then repeat. Work in order from coarse sandpaper, to medium, then fine to finish. - 4). Use the small edge sander with an 80 or 100 grit next to work around the outside edges of the room. Sand by hand any tight or very small areas.
- 5
Finish sanding the floors, then vacuum the floor and wipe it down with a rag soaked in mineral spirits. Keep touching up as necessary by hand sanding, and wipe it down after with the mineral spirits once again. After sanding is complete, your new floor is ready to be varnished, painted, covered or stained, if desired.
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