Hello guys,

We're in the process of refinishing our old fur floors. We have the floors sanded and now were just about ready to put down the poly. We're using Varathane brade poly (water based, semi-gloss). The can says four coats minium, others I'v talked with have said 2-3 coats minimum. I'm leaning towards 4 coats just to be safe.

Another question, should we sand inbetween coats? And if so, how do we sand in between coats? Do we hand sand the WHOLE floor? Or do we just go over the floor with our hands and if we feel any high spots or ridges then we just sand those down? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated as we want to do this once and correctly to last another lifetime.

 

The key word is minimum. That means "NO less than"

 

I wouldn't do more than four coats. I do three on my own floors but four isn't too much.
Yes, you need to sand the whole floor between coats. If you don't, the finish won't adhere to what is all ready down. We use a buffer to do it so it only takes a few minutes to do the whole house. Don't sand too much or you won't leave any finish on the floor.
Good Luck
Bryan

 

Read and follow finish label instructions carefully for best results. Remember drying times between coats is a "guesstimate" and depends on temperature and humidity conditions. Go to www.nofma.org for general finishing instructions.

 

Thanks for the help guys. About the sanding, would a pole sander wih 120 grit paper suffice? If so, do I just sand the poly with quick a movement? Does it only need a very light/quick sanding or do I need to focus a bit more on the poly to really get it sanded down? Thanks.

 

320 between coats, or you will burn through the coat you just applied.

 

Awesome, will do. Thanks for all your help guys

 

i used 150 on a pole sander between coats, and it worked pretty good...didnt really have to sand that much. and it didnt seem to pull the previous coat off the floor.

Also - - If you have never sanded poly, be prepared for it to look like you are ruining the floor. the finish gets this milky white haze in it, and I freaked thinking I had messed up, but it goes away for the next coat....

something I wish someone would have told me that when I started.

 

Thanks for the heads up. After I sand the floors do I need to clean them thoroughly and even use a tack cloth to remove the dust before putting down the next coat? I assume yes, just curious.

 

Yes clean between each coat,,,use a tack cloth

Thats what I did....

Unless the mods disagree... I'm just a DIYer : )

But it makes sende to clear the dust up between coats or they will be locked into your next coat...

Either way, the floor will look "milky" when you are done....and it can be frightening

I'm just stoked to able to answer a question as opposed to alsways asking them : )