Whether you want to improve the look of your home for your own benefit, or whether you’re trying to increase the value of your home so you can sell it quicker, re-staining your wood floors can really have the positive impact that you’re looking for. However, you see all these home improvement shows that make the task seem like an expensive and time-consuming one, and they scare you – and most homeowners – off of staining your hardwood floors for good. Well, that’s what we’re here for. These 4 steps can help you achieve that beautiful, newly-stained finish that you see on TV, plus the enduring production, without the anticipated cost or time investment.
1.Clean Your Floors
First things first: clean and dust your floors! Start by vacuuming up any surface/sanding dust, then mop up any remaining grit and grime. Once all dust is removed, wipe down the floor with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust.
2.Apply A Penetrating Stain
For starters, select a stain that won’t raise the grain of the wood; otherwise, you’ll have to sand the floor after applying the stain (which you don’t want to do!). Once you pick out the stain, apply it evenly across the floor. Follow the grain as you for best results. Allow the stain to dry for one hour.
Because floor finishes can emit harmful vapors, make sure that the work area is well ventilated before you begin finishing.
3.Apply the Polyurethane Finish
Once the stain is on and dried, apply the polyurethane finish, following the grain of wood as you did when applying the stain. Allow the first coat to dry for 6-8 hours.
The reason you want to apply polyurethane is because it provides a durable, glossy finish that will protect your floors from normal everyday wear and tear, such as spills, mud spots, scratches, etc.
4.Sand & Apply Second Coat of Polyurethane Finish
In order to achieve the most durable finish, you’ll need to apply a second coat of polyurethane finish. However, because the first coat tends to dry rough, you’ll need to sand it down so that the second coat will go on smooth and adhere well. Use sandpaper #220 for best results, and wipe away residual dust with a tack cloth. Apply the second coat of polyurethane and allow it to dry at least overnight.
1.Clean Your Floors
First things first: clean and dust your floors! Start by vacuuming up any surface/sanding dust, then mop up any remaining grit and grime. Once all dust is removed, wipe down the floor with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust.
2.Apply A Penetrating Stain
For starters, select a stain that won’t raise the grain of the wood; otherwise, you’ll have to sand the floor after applying the stain (which you don’t want to do!). Once you pick out the stain, apply it evenly across the floor. Follow the grain as you for best results. Allow the stain to dry for one hour.
Because floor finishes can emit harmful vapors, make sure that the work area is well ventilated before you begin finishing.
3.Apply the Polyurethane Finish
Once the stain is on and dried, apply the polyurethane finish, following the grain of wood as you did when applying the stain. Allow the first coat to dry for 6-8 hours.
The reason you want to apply polyurethane is because it provides a durable, glossy finish that will protect your floors from normal everyday wear and tear, such as spills, mud spots, scratches, etc.
4.Sand & Apply Second Coat of Polyurethane Finish
In order to achieve the most durable finish, you’ll need to apply a second coat of polyurethane finish. However, because the first coat tends to dry rough, you’ll need to sand it down so that the second coat will go on smooth and adhere well. Use sandpaper #220 for best results, and wipe away residual dust with a tack cloth. Apply the second coat of polyurethane and allow it to dry at least overnight.