Historic HomeWorks Forum

[bill1956]

hi - what steps would you recommend in refinishing an old strip-wood(fir) floor in a high traffic area? I've already scrubbed the floor with TSP and plan on belt-sanding the remaining painted areas(a heat gun just leaves a paint stained blotch). Should I use bleach to bring out the light grain color in the unpainted wood? What kind of polyurethene should I use for a hard basketball court-like finish, water or oil? This is my first attempt so I want to do it right the first time. Many thanks.

[johnleeke]

What ever you do, test all of the materials and methods through all of the steps to the end, in a small test area, keeping track of materials and methods with written notes. Then judge the result and if it is acceptable continue with the rest of the floor. If not, do another test with changes.

I would not use polyurethane, and suggest that you may really not want a basketball court finish. You may be thinking that they will be more durable, but really they will be harder to renew when they do go bad. For a high-traffic area I suggest an oil-based akyd resin varnish that will be easier to renew in the spots where it does take a lot of wear. You might end up maintaining it every few years, but that can be easier than refinishing the whole floor every several years.

Some of the acrylic water-based varnishes might be good, but I don't have enough experience with them to give you any advice. The manufacturers change their formulas too often to figure out how they really work.

[jade]

i wonder if 'doing it right the first time' and 'having it be perfect the first time' are two different intentions...

the first time i did a floor, i rented a floor sander along with an edger....first i asked a LOT of questions before i began then i started the sander in the area that would be covered by furniture....i began with something like 36 grit then progressed to two finer grits...sure it wasn't a smooth mirror finish but i liked the results....if you are patient, i think you can have success and learn

i like john's suggestion of using an alkyd based varnish that may need touch ups in high traffic area especially if the varnish is a clear/amber hue...the old and new blend rather easily....make sure if you use a WOOD bleach that it is compatible with the varnish or other finish you choose--contact the manufacturer if you have any doubts.

a good floor sander can remove an 1/8" of paint and wood with 36 grit which would eliminate removing the paint by means of heat or chemicals. the new floor sanders currently available at equipment rental stores are much easier on you and the floor and cause less damage if you spend a second too long in one place......

good luck.....
.....jade

[bill1956]

thank you gentlemen for the advice - I have confined this attempt to a corner area that will be covered by the stove and may get away with just a light sanding after two scrubs with TSP and will follow up with the akyd oil-base varnish. again, thanks.