How To Finish Your Exotic Hardwood Floor

Sanding the floor will kick up a lot of dust so protect light fixtures and tape over electrical outlets.

How to finish your exotic hardwood floor.

Apply the first of two coats of finish wax or other floor finish such as polyurethane or varnish. Hardwood floor finish application. Apply paint thinner or mineral spirits to a small inconspicuous spot that s been cleaned. Test for wax by rubbing an out of the way floorboard with the edge of a coin and looking for telltale wax buildup on the coin.

If you can feel the graininess and texture of the wood the floor probably has a coating of penetrating oil and perhaps wax. Make sure that the room is devoid of any furniture window treatments and wall hangings. Do not use vinegar and water on this floor. You ll need to sand the entire floor not just one section.

Wipe a white rag over the spot. Before you start sanding remove everything from the room and vacuum the floor. Wait at least 24 hours after the final coat dries before moving furniture into the room. It is best to not replace carpets for three six months as all exotic floors will oxidize from the uv rays of the sun and darken.

Step 1 prepare the area that is going to be finished. Apply the final coat. Use a uv inhibiting finish many manufacturers of polyurethanes also offer polys that have an uv inhibitor. Do not wax this floor.

Insert a small piece of wood behind the pry bar to provide leverage and to prevent damaging the trim pieces step 3 protect. How to apply finish. The easiest way to test a floor finish is to run your hand along the surface of the floor. Step 1 check your floor to make sure it doesn t have a wax finish.

Heavy furniture may scuff the hardwood and leave marks step 2 remove trim using a pry bar. Remove shoe moulding the wood trim where the wall meets the floor. Clean only with an approved hardwood flooring maintenance kit. If the floor continues into a closet make sure to empty it 1 x research source be cautious not to drag furniture across wood floors.

Install or leave felt pads on everything touching the floor. If your home has lots of natural light you may want to consider this option when refinishing your floors. If it turns brown or yellow the finish may be wax step 2 clear the room completely and make any necessary repairs to the floor.