Replies

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 10, 2006 01:19am | #1

   Would use a belt sander rather than an orbital sander.

   Would start with 24 grit on the dark areas, 36 on the less damaged, light pressure in the better areas, just cut off the existing finish and remove scratches with the rough grits.  With a belt sander you can better control cut by pressure and not leave cross scratching like an orbital would leave. I go to 100 grit after that, then possibly 150 depending on the wood and then finish.

1. 
   BIGJIM05 | Aug 10, 2006 06:09pm | #4

   The orbital sander grit starts at 60 grit and goes up from there so what stages do you think I should use?

   Thanks

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 10, 2006 06:28pm | #5

   Since your knees are not the best I'd suggest you buy a belt sander or rent one vs trying to do a whole floor with an orbital sander.

   I went 60 years without a roofing coil nailer but just bought one to be able to NOT have to be on my knees as long just putting down 5 squares. Tools are cheaper than knee surgery.

2. 
   exfitter | Aug 10, 2006 03:15am | #2

   I saw this product at a building show Chicago, haven't used it myself yet but it looked like a good alternative to sanding. Soy based non-toxic product. http://www.franmar.com

1. 
   BIGJIM05 | Aug 10, 2006 05:41pm | #3

   Thanks for the info

   Will look into this since my knees arent the best.

   Has anyone out there used this product so I can get feedback, sounds really interesting?

    

    

2. 
   BIGJIM05 | Aug 13, 2006 11:24pm | #8

   Cant thank you enough for telling about this Soy-Gel. The stuff cuts through this 100 year old flooring like nothing in an hour and the smell is next to nothing.

   The clean up is a bit tiresome with all the washing off with water but it has taken an old tired floor quickly to next to new.

   Opinion on what type of High Gloss Poly finish to use? What would the best name brand be? How many coats?

   THANKS AGAIN!!! 

1. 
   exfitter | Aug 14, 2006 01:37am | #9

   Glad it worked, I haven't used it myself yet , but I was pretty impressed by the demo at the trade show. Did you order off the web ?  I don't remember what I used on the last floor I did,was about three years ago. Customers wife picked it up at HD, might have been a min-wax product. I am sure someone on here can point you in the right direction. Any after pics ?

   Edited 8/13/2006 6:39 pm ET by exfitter

3. 
   cynwyd | Aug 10, 2006 06:44pm | #6

   The square orbital sander is an upright machine with 4 heads right?

   If they offer 60 I'd start with that and throughout be careful not to oversand with dull paper which will burnish the wood and close the cells.

   60 grit will always feel coarse, what you want is that it feel sharp, not rounded and dull. Keep referring to a new disc for a standard as to what is sharp.

   Except for the corners and maybe the edges you should be off your knees.

   this is the one I know of;

   http://www.u-sand.com/index.htm

   
   

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   Edited 8/10/2006 11:49 am ET by cynwyd

4. 
   Mooney | Aug 10, 2006 07:47pm | #7

   Go rent a floor sander and buy med to fine pads . You are --------- in the wind.

   Tim