With a floor that has only shallow scratches and a dull surface can be dramatically improved by adding a fresh coat of finish, in other cases the damage is too extensive and will need to be sanded down before adding your new finish. In order to see how much wood is left to your floor check around the edges and at your heat vents. This will allow you to see if the floor has been refinished and if you can take more wood off sanding it again. You can rent most of the equipment that you will need at a hardware or rental center. You will want a drum sander, orbital palm sander, floor edger and buffer. You will also want to rent a shop vacuum if you don't have on already. If have never used any or some of these pieces of equipment before ask for a demonstration before you leave the store. If you have never refinished a hardwood floor before you may want to check into a reference guide to keep handy in case you need to refer to it during your project. Be sure to wear a dust mask, ear and eye protection while you are sanding the floors, it is very load and dusty. Start with the drum sander and use a coarse paper. You want to begin sanding in a low profile area that would not generally be very visible, it will take a few minutes to get used to handling such a large piece of equipment. Be very careful as it is easy to gouge the floor with the sander. Sand with the grain of the wood unless the wood is badly warped and then you will want to sand diagonally to the grain to even out the floor. Where ever the drum sander can't reach use the edge sander. You will want to go over the floor two more times; next with a medium grit paper and lastly with a fine grit. Use the palm sander around the edges of the room.

When you are done with all of the sanding you will want to vacuum very thoroughly even vacuuming the walls and ceiling. Be sure that you have hung plastic in the doorways of the room before sanding to prevent dust from spreading all over the house. After this is done you will need to use the buffer to help tighten the wood grain before staining it.

When you are staining your floor use two or three light coats of stain to achieve the desired color and richness. It is easier to slightly darken a floor that is a touch too light in color; where it is almost impossible to lighten a floor that has been stained too dark. This is the best way to get the preferred results. It is easier to apply the stain with a two person team. It goes much faster if you have one person applying stain and the other wiping away the excess. Be sure to change rags often.

When it comes to applying your finish, use a bristle brush or a foam applicator. Start at the furthest point from the doorway and work your way toward it. Be sure to apply the finish in an even coat and before dries use lamb's wool to blend in any brush marks. Apply the final coat in the same way.

When your floor refinishing is completed your floor will look brand new! It will feel like a whole new house and you will feel so proud of yourself for your home improvement skills!