How to stain hardwood floors
When doing a home remodel, many people like to slightly adjust the color of their hardwood floor. Staining is a much easier way to change the color of a hardwood floor or bring back the color that has faded compared to completely replacing it. But staining a hardwood floor is a little bit more complicated than painting a wall. This article can help people who are interested in learning how to stain their hardwood floors.
First step
Before a hardwood floor can be stained, it first needs to be prepared for the staining. There are a few things that need to be done to prepare a hardwood floor to be stained. First the hardwood floor needs to be sanded or buffed. Once the floor has been sanded or buffed it needs to be cleaned, thoroughly. If the hardwood floor is not cleaned very well, with all of the debris and dust taken off, the stain will be absorbed by these objects and not by the hardwood.
Second step
Once the hardwood floor is prepped and ready for the stain, a person can begin applying the stain they have chosen. It is best for a person to use a paint roller or a rag to apply the stain to their floor. They should apply the first coat of the stain as evenly as they can and follow the grain of the wood. The stain should be applied in sections and any excess stain should be wiped off with an unused, clean rag. By wiping off the excess stain, the floor should be able to dry quicker.
Third step
After the entire floor is stained, it needs to be left to dry overnight. If the person applied a lot of stain, it will take longer for the entire hardwood floor to dry completely.
Fourth step
After the stain has been applied, the person will need to apply a coat of polyurethane finish to the hardwood floor. They should also follow the grain of the wood when applying the finish. To apply the polyurethane finish to the hardwood floor a person should use a roller or a brush. After they have finished applying this first coat they should let it dry for about six to eight hours.
Fifth step
After the first coat of polyurethane finish has dried completely, the person will need to rough the smooth surface up a little bit. By lightly sanding the hardwood floor the second coat of polyurethane will adhere better. The person should use a very fine sandpaper and then wipe up all of the dust that was left behind from the sandpaper. After sanding the hardwood floor the person can then apply the second coat of polyurethane. This second coat needs to be left to dry overnight.
A few tips
It is important that the room(s) where the hardwood floor(s) are being stained are very well-ventilated. Hardwood stains have dangerous fumes so a person should open the windows and vents in the room where they will be staining the floor. It is probably a good idea for a person to wear some type of mask over their nose and mouth to help keep fumes out.
When a person is staining their hardwood floor(s), they should wear clothes that are appropriate for this type of work. Long sleeved shirts, pants, and even gloves are a good idea for a person to wear when they are staining their hardwood floor. This can help the person's skin from coming in contact with the stain. And wearing knee pads can make the process of staining a floor more comfortable.
Like this article? Then Digg It
or
add it to your Del.icio.us Bookmarks!
Tags: how to stain hardwood floors home remodel polyurethane finish
