The premium look and feel of a hardwood floor is not just aesthetic to the eye and the surrounding environment but it also greatly increases the valuation of any home. This is exactly why hardwood flooring has been gaining a major momentum in homes as homeowners find the timeless beauty and the added warmth of this hardwood floor as a value addition to their rooms and the overall soothing outlook of their home.
Homeowners love the comfort of redesigning their hardwood floor repairs and hardwood floor refinishing by the help of expert hardwood floor contractors. Doing so, the down-trodden hardwood floor revitalizes itself into the brand new look it originally came up with. However, within these processes, staining a hardwood floor takes time and strenuous effort. This process is not an easy project even when it comes to best hardwood floor contractors. Although homeowners like to experiment and produce desirable results by staining their hardwood floors, it is always a safer option to hire a skilled hardwood floor contractor. Doing that would ensure longevity to your hardwood flooring due to their years of experience in refinishing, repairing and staining hardwood floors.
The tools to carry out staining are most important to start with this process. Here are the tools you need:
Shop vacuum
Tack cloth
Random orbital sander
Protective eyewear
Dust mask
Sandpaper
Palm sander
Hardwood floor stain
Lambswool stain applicator
Cleaning cloths
Two-inch paint brushes
Polyurethane sealer
High-density foam roller
Get the Room Ready
This first step to start staining your hardwood floor is by clearing your room and making it ready for the process. Take out all the furniture and other things which might be a hindrance in your staining process. If the floor has a baseboard, using a pry bar is the best trick to get the shoe moldings from the floor. Make sure you label each molding shoe so it is easier to reinstall later. Once done removing all the shoe moldings, spread a plastic sheet or any old sheet around the area so the sanding process does not spread out of the parameters. An additional step can be to cover the light fixtures and vents. Withal, just cover all the points which might be prone to dust.
Sanding Done the Right Way
This is by far the most important process in the whole staining process. Doing this right will make sure your end-result is as you envisioned it in your mind, and not doing it properly will clearly show once the stain dries. This will not just make you repeat it all over but also add the stress to an already hectic job. The next thing is to measure the space accurately. If the place is larger than a closet, make sure to have a large orbital sander around. It can be a sander as high as your waistline. If you cannot find one easily to purchase or want to save some money, you can rent one from your local home center as well.
Using these orbital sanders would ensure lesser damage to the floor if you follow the instruction manual provided with them. While preparing for sanding, use a light-grit abrasive through each pass. Set up the sander with the 60-grit sandpaper and after donning the protective eyewear with the dust mask on, you can go ahead and move your sander over the floor. Run it like you use your lawn mower; go in rows and overlap with half the widths of the sander. The second round would be with the 80-grit sandpaper. Just follow the same process without stopping the sanding disks while they are on the floor. In areas where you cannot reach with a sander, use a palm or a detail sander.
Vacuum
Once done with sanding, vacuum the dust out of the area. Do not use your traditional vacuum cleaner for this, use a heavy-duty vacuum which has a fitted brush attachment and a new filter. The vacuum would not just do the complete job, you will still need to use tack cloths and rags dampened with the right amounts of mineral spirits to wipe the floors clean from the dust and the debris.
Stain
Finally, you are now ready to stain so make sure there is proper ventilation. Once you have made sure of everything, you can start from the opposite site of the exit, preferably from the corner to exit without stepping on any of the staining. Start off with the lambswool applicator by applying the stain and make sure you distribute it evenly on the floor, covering about two-foot sections at one time. Wherever you see an excess, keep removing that with a cloth or a rag, and do not let the wet edges dry. For the corners, use a two-inch paintbrush to reach them without any struggle or inconsistencies.
Once finished with the stain on the hardwood floor, let it dry and analyze the area. If the finish can have one more hand and would need to be darkened, you can go for a second round. If yes, do it by carrying out the same process as before.
Seal it Up
Now, once done with the stain, the last step is to apply polyurethane sealer by the help of a high-density roller. Apply a thin streak, even coat across the entire area. Again, wipe the excess and let it dry. Some sealers do not require you to sand between coats, so if your sealer does not, you can proceed for a second round of polyurethane. If you have to sand it, use a 320-abrasive and use your hand or a standing pole this time.
Once done, clean away the dust using the vacuum, tack clothes, rags and then apply the second coat of sealer. Now, you have to wait at least 24 hours before putting back the furniture in the room. In some instances, it can be 72 hours as well but in the end, to get that premium finish to the wood; the wait will be worth it.
Beautiful Traditions Hardwood Flooring and Refinishing in Austin has been serving its customers over the years with the best hardwood floor designs, hardwood floor installation, hardwood floor repairs, hardwood floor refinishing and the best hardwood floor contractors to provide any home with the right hardwood floors, installations and supplementary refinishing services including the stain facility. Our expert team specializes in providing the most advanced solutions to staining and refinishing.
Want to know more about the type of staining your hardwood floor needs? Reach out to our dedicated team of professionals and let them help you choose the right hardwood floor for your home. Call us now at (512) 217-4796.
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