Sanding your floors involves a systematic approach using a drum sander and progressively finer sandpaper grits. Here's a guide to the process:
Step-by-Step Floor Sanding
Here's a breakdown of how to effectively sand your floors, incorporating the information from the provided reference:
1. Prepare the Room
- Remove all furniture and clear the area of any obstructions.
- Ensure the floor is clean and free of debris.
- Use floor protection along baseboards and doorways.
2. Set Up Your Drum Sander
- Attach the appropriate sandpaper to the drum sander, starting with a coarse grit.
- Make sure the sander is working correctly and that the sandpaper is installed correctly.
3. Begin Sanding
- Start with coarse sandpaper: Use a 36 to 40-grit sandpaper to remove the initial layer of old finish and imperfections.
- Work in sections: Work the drum sander back and forth over 3 to 4-foot sections of the floor.
- Overlap strokes: Overlap each sanding pass by at least 1/3 the width of the sanding belt. This helps ensure consistent removal and minimizes noticeable scratches from the sander.
4. Progress Through Sandpaper Grits
- Move to medium grit: After the first pass with coarse sandpaper, switch to 60-grit sandpaper. This smooths out the deeper scratches from the first sanding.
- Finish with fine grit: Complete the sanding process using 100-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth and even surface.
- Do not skip grits: It is important to follow the progression from coarse to fine. Skipping grits can lead to uneven results and visible sanding marks.
5. Clean Up
- Vacuum the dust thoroughly after each sanding pass to prevent contamination and scratches.
- Clean up all sanding dust using a vacuum with a fine-particle filter.
Sandpaper Grit Progression
| Grit Type | Grit Number | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse | 36-40 | Initial removal of finish and imperfections |
| Medium | 60 | Smooth out deeper scratches |
| Fine | 100 | Final smoothing for even surface |
Key Points
- Overlap each pass: Overlapping by at least 1/3 of the belt width minimizes scratches.
- Progressive grits: Do not skip sandpaper grits. This ensures proper surface preparation.
- Clean often: Vacuum dust between sanding passes to prevent scratches from loose grit.
- Be patient: Sanding floors requires time and effort for a high quality result.
By following these steps, you can effectively sand your floors for a smooth and even base, ready for refinishing.
