Sanding 5/16'' red oak top-nail hardwood flooring
#1
Sanding 5/16'' red oak top-nail hardwood flooring
I have 1-1/2 x 5/16 top-nailed hardwood flooring throughout my house and in a bedroom I'm working on. I replaced some strips that were damaged in a small fire.
Now i'm ready to sand but I want to be sure what machine to get. Would I need a drum sander for this, or a random orbital? The area is about 160 sq ft.
I also wanted to keep the rental time of the the machine to a minimum. So I need to sand in-between the poly coats if I use a water or oil-based poly?
From what I understand so far, I need to: Sand initially to get old poly off with 30-40 grit.>Use a patching compound for any cracks/gaps, etc.>Sand with 60 grit>Sand with 100 grit>Apply sanding sealer>Sand again>apply poly coats (I'm aiming for 3).
Vacuuming the floor in between sanding and then mineral spirits with cloth prior to applying the sanding sealer.
Also, what sanding sealer and poly would you recommend?
Now i'm ready to sand but I want to be sure what machine to get. Would I need a drum sander for this, or a random orbital? The area is about 160 sq ft.
I also wanted to keep the rental time of the the machine to a minimum. So I need to sand in-between the poly coats if I use a water or oil-based poly?
From what I understand so far, I need to: Sand initially to get old poly off with 30-40 grit.>Use a patching compound for any cracks/gaps, etc.>Sand with 60 grit>Sand with 100 grit>Apply sanding sealer>Sand again>apply poly coats (I'm aiming for 3).
Vacuuming the floor in between sanding and then mineral spirits with cloth prior to applying the sanding sealer.
Also, what sanding sealer and poly would you recommend?
#2
Forum Topic Moderator
A drum sander is quicker than a buffer or orbital sander but not near as diy friendly. Misuse of a drum sander can ruin a floor, easy to sand dips in the wood if you don't keep it moving. You'll also need an edger. Since your flooring is face nailed you'll need to make sure all the nails are set deep enough so you don't sand into them and rip the paper. Always sand between coats although after the initial sanding you don't have to sand as hard/deep.
You'll find the better polys at your local hardwood flooring center. I prefer both the look and durability of oil base. Not all sanding sealers and polys are compatible, on floors I generally use poly for all 3 coats.
You'll find the better polys at your local hardwood flooring center. I prefer both the look and durability of oil base. Not all sanding sealers and polys are compatible, on floors I generally use poly for all 3 coats.
#3
Thanks.
The flooring I patched is slightly taller than the existing floor - likely cause the latter had been refinished at one time or maybe the newer wood is slightly taller. Will the random orbital take the excess height off of the patched flooring to level it all out?
Regarding the edges: I have a palm sander and orbital palm sander. Those should work for the edges?
Regarding sanding: do you mean you sand in between each poly coat?
The flooring I patched is slightly taller than the existing floor - likely cause the latter had been refinished at one time or maybe the newer wood is slightly taller. Will the random orbital take the excess height off of the patched flooring to level it all out?
Regarding the edges: I have a palm sander and orbital palm sander. Those should work for the edges?
Regarding sanding: do you mean you sand in between each poly coat?
#4
Group Moderator
Regarding sanding: do you mean you sand in between each poly coat?
#6
Maybe a 32nd-64th of an inch in difference between new and old.
Could I use a hand-held orbital to sand the poly coats? I was hoping I would only need to rent the large orbital sander for a day and be able to do the initial sanding. Sanding of the compound applied to the floor and sanding the sanding sealer, all in one day.
Could I use a hand-held orbital to sand the poly coats? I was hoping I would only need to rent the large orbital sander for a day and be able to do the initial sanding. Sanding of the compound applied to the floor and sanding the sanding sealer, all in one day.