Pine Floorboards Sanding - A Quick DIY Guide
Pine is amongst the most popular wood species ever used for wood floors. Pine floor boards sanding is a specific restoration process involving the removal of the top layer of the flooring and recoating it, usually with the use of hardwearing varnish.
The Process of Pine Floorboards Sanding
The floorboards sanding should begin with a deep cleaning of all the rooms in which the floor will be treated. The rooms must be emptied of furniture, carpets, and curtains so that they do not hinder the passage of the polisher.
Next, it is advisable to check the floor for protruding nails with which it is possible for the polisher to collide. It is necessary to countersink all the protruding heads and to clean the surface once more: it must be swept and vacuumed thoroughly. For correct sanding, it is necessary to make three successive passes with the machine. In each of them, the thickness of the abrasive belts of the sander does not have to be the same.
Sanders is easy to use tools that require a certain skill. They are robust machines with some inherent strength to “escape” from the hands. They must be driven with force to mark the trajectory they wish to perform. To avoid possible accidents, the cord of the sander should always be over the shoulder. To avoid creating mess with the floor sanding process, we only use dust free floor sanding equipment for all our floor restoration projects.
It is advisable to avoid dry stops or changes in direction during work. Equally important is to observe the proper operation of the sander. It is preferable to get ahead of the machine jams and empty the sawdust tank before the sander stops sucking. Another element that determines the success or failure of any pine floorboards sanding is the very technique with which it is carried out. It is not enough to run the polisher over the surface three times, but also to pay attention to the sense of the slats.
If these are straight, the first pass must be made diagonally, the second one obliquely opposite and the third must follow the direction of the wood. To sand a pine floorboard diagonally, you must start with the width of the surface, continue along the length and, in the last pass, sand it in the direction of the slats. Working with the right material is essential.
With any of the sanders that are used it is advisable to follow safety guidelines. Protective goggles, facemasks, and earplugs should be worn.
The final stage of any floor restoration project is sealing the sanded floorboards with several layers of hardwearing varnish. We recommend the use of Bona Mega, Bona Traffic, Juncker HP Commercial or Loba Varnishes for ultimate appearance and durability.
