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How To Finish Wood Floors

Use the disc edge sander along baseboards, on stair treads, and in other areas inaccessible to the drum sander. Use the hand-scraper in areas inaccessible to the disc edge sander . . . behind radiator pipes, etc.

STEP 3. — Dusting

Remove all dust from the floor with a vacuum cleaner, dry cloth, brush or dry mop; include also window ledges, baseboards and any other surfaces where dust appears.

STEP 4. — Applying the finish

Finishing New Wood Floors

Principally because of its attractive grain patterns and its durability, oak is the most widely-used hardwood for new floors. Other hardwoods such as beech, birch and maple are also used, and in some areas softwood flooring such as pine and fir is popular.

STEP 1. — Preparing the Surface

Regardless of kind, wood flooring when received from the lumber yard is milled but not sanded. Thus new flooring must be sanded after installation to prepare the surface for correct finishing. As in the case of refinishing old floors, proper sanding in finishing new floors is of paramount importance.

Sanding — Step-By-Step

STEP 2.— Sanding

FIRST CUT: The purpose of this sanding operation is to obtain a level, even surface. If the sub-floor was in good condition, and the new top-flooring properly installed, No. 1 (50 grit) paper may be used for the first sanding operation. A coarser grade, No. 2 (36 grit) is recommended if the floor is noticeably uneven. NOTE: Open coat abrasive paper (see sketch) should never be used for sanding new floors.