I have a 2000 sf home, built around 1910, with beautiful clear pine floors. The current finish is still nice because the carpeting had protected the finish over the years. Although, there are some minor scuffs, scratches, and dry spots on the floors, the patina and coloration is unique. UV light(?) has created a nice warm glow in the floors. My question is can I sand the floors with a drum sander using very fine sandpaper (or orbital hand sander) and apply finish coats of polyurethane varnish without destroying the patina? A light sanding could possibly create enough tooth for the new varnish without taking away the patina. It would also depend on the extent of any damage from water spots, etc how far down to sand. It seems sort of like refinishing an antique with regards to preserving the patina and not sanding too much. The original finish is probably 40 years old or more, so I assume it is oil-based or shellac? My prior experiences sanding floors were to remove all existing finish down to bare wood, and that significantly lightens the coloration in the pine wood. Any advice? Thanks!
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Replies
I did my pine floors this past year and my floors are over 326 years old.
If they're not really bad don't use a drum sander. Good chance you'll leave chatter marks. Try just screening them. If you dont have miles of flooring to do use a ROS with screening on that. Sheetrock sanding screens. If that doesn't do it then rent a floor buffer and get the right pad and round screen from a rental company. From the sound of it thats all you should need.
I used three coats of a matte' poly in most of my house and it really looks very soft and natural. On the first room I did I used water lox but thats wayyyyy too much work for large areas and to be honest with you I really don't see all that much of a differance and poly is way more durable...thats just my opinion.
PS...the floor with my dog Chakra in the middle of it is the same room as the room with the dining room table.
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