Floor Finishing Help Needed

GWHRsuperhero

Im in the process of refinishing only the second floor ive ever done. The first floor I did had no stain only poly. This one was stained. And I also gotta refinish the stairs along with the railings. What is the general rule for sanding. Do you always have to take it down to bare wood?

GWHRsuperhero

sorry didn't mean to do that twice

vwovw

if you know what was used before then no. but if you don't know what was used before then the best bet is to sand it all the way down IF you have enough to sand.
stain you don't have to sand all the way off. But it might not finish well.

fast pasquale

You absolutely must remove all the finish off.. especiall if the floors are stained dark. This answer could potentially become a book. But feel free to email me and ill give you my number so I can at least point you in the right direction.

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Chris Frate
Pasquale Floors

vwovw

not if you know what was put on prior. otherwise yes it needs to be removed all the way off cause its most likely varnish/ shellac.

fast pasquale

Im failing to undrstand your logic. This floor was stained DARK. If you don't remove all the finish and you decide to go natural. It's will look like complete crap. Knowing what type of finish was put down means very little, unless it's wax, then you MOST DEFINATELY must remove it all or your new finish will not stick. If the floors were refinished within the past 20 years it's most likely polyerethane.

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Chris Frate
Pasquale Floors