Sanding & Finishing
Sanding and Finishing Guidelines:
1) The number of times a given floor can be sanded has several variables including the thickness of the wear layer, whether the floor is cupped or not, the depth of dents and scratches, as well as the skill of the person sanding the floor. Typically each time a floor is sanded 1/32 is removed from the wear-layer.
2) With older flooring the appearance of bevels may not be consistent after sanding. In the case of a micro-bevel product, it is possible that the bevel will be eliminated altogether.
3) Floor finishes applied before 1978 may contain
lead and the use of a dustless sanding system is recommended.
4) Water popping is a process used to open the grain of the wood flooring so it will accept stain more readily and evenly. A good recommendation when using reddish stain dyes or wanting to darken a stain color.
5) Bleaching wood flooring retains the general tone and reduces variations in color without obscuring the grain pattern.
6) Stay off hardwood floors untill the finish has dried.
Dry Times: Stain colors generally dry within 8 hours
Oil-modified urethane finishes = 8 to 12 hours.
Water-borne urethane finishes = 4 to 6 hours.
If your home is excessively humid or cold the stains and finishes may take longer to dry.
7) NEVER slide furniture on the floor with-out first putting towels under the legs or better yet lift it into place. Area rugs can be put down after the finish is fully cured, generally after 7 days with water-borne finishes and after 30 days with oil-modified finishes.
8) Color changes due to aging and UV sunlight is not the responsibility of the flooring contractor. We recommend the use of window coverings and UV film over the windows where appropriate. Furniture or rugs placed too soon may result in finish or surface damage.
9) Completely refinishing your hardwood floor may not be necessary, unless the floor has visible dents, scratches, wear patterns or permanent cupping, or you wants to change the stain color of the floor. A simple screen and recoat may suffice.
Work pictured is that of Timberline Hardwood Floor Co.
