How to Prep Wood Floor for Staining
- 1). Check for loose, damaged or squeaky boards. Replace damaged boards and nail or glue down loose or squeaky boards, depending on how the floor was installed. If the floor was previously covered with carpet, make sure all carpet nails are removed.
- 2). Fill large cracks and gaps with wood putty. To assess the size of the cracks consider the time of year you are staining the floor. If you are refinishing the floor during the summer, cracks that are large now will be even larger in the winter. The wood will contract and swell given temperature and humidity. Gaps at the end of floor planks should always be filled as the wood expands in width but very little in length. Allow the putty to dry completely.
- 3). Sweep the floor to remove dust and debris. If you don't own or have access to a drum sander, rent one at a home improvement store to sand the floor. Sand first with course (20 to 36) grit sand paper. Start sanding in one corner of the room. Turn on the sander with the sanding drum up, then slowly lower the drum to the floor. Walk forward with the sander with the grain of the wood. Do not sit in one spot or the sander can damage the floor.
- 4). Sand the edges and corners of the room with an edge sander. The drum sander will not be able to reach the edges and corner of the room, so use a hand-held edge sander to finish off the first sanding.
- 5). Sand the entire floor a second time using medium (50 to 60) grit sandpaper. Sand a final time with fine (80 to 100) grit sandpaper. Follow up each drum sanding with edge sanding.
- 6). Vacuum the room with a shop vacuum to remove the sanding dust. Sweep or vacuum the walls and ceiling also.
- 7). Buff the floor with a buffing machine using 100 to 120 grit abrasive screen. Buff with the wood grain. If you don't own or have access to a buffer, you can rent one at a home improvement store.
- 8). Sweep and vacuum the floor to make sure all dust is removed. The floor must be absolutely clean before applying stain.
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