DIY Projects

Maintenance DIY Projects

What you will need:

  • Orbital Sander
  • Hand Sander
  • Shop Vac (you might need to rent this)
  • 20 – 60, 120 and 220 grit sanding paper
  • Protective Eyewear
  • Dust Mask
  • Earplugs
  • Paint roller
  • Stick
  • Plastic Sheeting
  • Interior wood stain
  • Mop
  • Hardwood floor cleaner
  • Polyurethane
  • Masking tape

Method:

  1. Start by clearing out the room and taping up vents, doors and windows with masking tape.
  2. Remove skirting boards with care to reach underneath them.
  3. Check the thickness of your floors before starting as the sander does remove a thick layer, your floor should be about at least 2cm thick and no less than 7mm thin.
  4. Vacuum your wooden floor to clean off any loose dirt.
  5. Prepare your personal safety by wearing protective eyewear and a dust mask while sanding.
  6. Using the sander start sanding your wooden floor, connect the sander to a Shop Vac to prevent dust. Use 20 grit sanding paper depending on the level of damage found on the floor.
  7. Using a hand sander, sand corners in the same manner to get an equal surface.
  8. Once you have a given the floor a once over repeat the process with a 60 grit sanding paper. If you are satisfied with the results from the first pass go straight to 120 grit sanding paper to smooth out the floor.
  9. When you are completely satisfied with the sanding result, use a vacuum and mop to clean the floor. Uncover the windows and vents.
  10. Now it is time to stain your floor. Using a paint roller and stick go along the grain and apply a thin layer equally across the floor.
  11. Once the first layer is done and dried, check the colour. If you would like a darker finish apply a second coat.
  12. When the stain is completely dry, apply one coat of polyurethane in the same process and allow to dry for 24 hours.
  13. Lightly sand the floor by hand with a 220 grit sanding paper, clean the floor with a mop and apply the second coat of polyurethane. Once again allow to dry for 24 hours.
  14. When the floor is dry you can replace your skirting boards and furniture and admire your hard work.