Refinishing hardwood floors can be done in a number of ways. Different hardwood dustless sanding techniques are appropriate for different situations and types of hardwood. A full "sand and stain" is the most comprehensive way to refinish hardwood. Alternatively, a "buff and stain" is a slightly quicker process. You can also just apply stain directly over your existing finish. This article explains the processes and results of each approach. It should help you determine which method will be the best for your property.
Sand and Stain
A full "sand and stain" means that your entire existing stain will be sanded off of your wood. This exposed the raw wood grains so you are basically starting from scratch. This is a great approach if you want to completely change the tone and color of your stain. It is really the only way to dramatically change your floor color.
There is one important caveat that you need to consider before doing a full sand and stain. That is, you need to be sure that your top layer of hardwood is thick enough to be sanded down. Wood stain can penetrate about 1/8" into the wood (depending on the species), meaning that this entire layer needs to be sanded off to rid the wood of the stain coloring. This is a roadblock if you have a layered hardwood product. Sometimes, the individual wood layers are too thin and you run the risk of sanding right through them. This creates a huge problem with most layered hardwood products because they lower layers of wood are composite and/or plywood. This means that the exposed wood will be ugly, porous, and brittle. Basically, your floor will need to be fully replaced.
If your floor is thick enough for a full sand and stain, it is the most comprehensive method.
Buff and Stain
A "buff and stain" is really only suitable if you plan on re-staining the wood the same color as it was before. This method involves lightly buffing the top layer before staining it. The buffing is just to smooth and even out the surface. It is much less time consuming that a full sand job.
Staining directly over your hardwood finish, without sanding or buffing it out is usually a bad idea. The stain is likely to have issues sticking to the hardwood because the surface will be uneven. This means that the stain won't actually adhere well to the wood and the colors could be unpredictable.
Share6 August 2017
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