How do i treat sanded wood floors?

Question

i just moved into a house and discovered beautiful wooden floors hidden under old carpet. i sanded them on a whim (with an industrial sander) and don't know what to do now. i would like to stain the floor dark, but do i need to treat it beforehand and is varnish really necessary after staining it? thanks

Answer 1

You can stain it any color you like. Before staining, use a tack cloth dampened with a little mineral spirits to remove all the dust. After you have stained the floor and it has dried sufficiently, run the tack cloth again and then coat it with a top coat. The product I would use for the top coat is a polyurethane finish that is used on gym floors. It can be purchased in most janitorial supply stores or stores that sell products for wood floors. In my state, it will come in a 5 gallon pail and run about $75. You will need to stay off the floor after coating for at least 24 hours. It will provide a tough and easily cleaned protected surface for your new floors.

Answer 2

If you've already done a good job of sanding, the hardest work is done. Yes, you must finish a floor with some sort of a product that will protect the surface from stains, scratches, and wear.  If you want a dark floor, apply the stain first, then add a layer of protective finish. Be sure to vacuum the floor thoroughly before each step. The most commonprotective floor finish is polyurethane and there are two basic types: oil-based and water-based. Here's an article explaining the pros and cons of each one:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/...

Answer 3

Finding hardwood floors is a real bonus!  You were brave to sand them yourself, because the heavy-duty floor sanders are pretty hard to handle, and can make gouges if you're not careful.

Anyway, go to a paint store and select a good quality wood stain.  They'll have samples that show what the stain looks like on different types of wood.  Oak is usually used for flooring.  Select any color -- they range from a yellowish all the way down to almost black.

Polyurethane varnish is usually used.  Professionals apply three coats.  You need to stay off of it while it dries.

Find a really good paint store.  The advice you can get from an experienced dealer is priceless.  (By the way, I don't work in this business, or have any connection to the industry ... but I've done a ton of work on old houses, so I speak from experience.)