Time To Stain Hardwood Floors

Oil based polyurethane length of time to refinish hardwood.

Time to stain hardwood floors.

Apply stain optional if you want to change the color of the wood add a stain. Apply the stain with a foam applicator pad in the direction of the wood grain. The best practice if to wait overnight. Then apply a floor finish.

Carefully vacuum up dust and grit from the sanding process and then wipe down the floor with a tack cloth to pick. Apply stain to the hardwood floor in one 2 foot section at a time using a lambswool applicator. This translates to 7 to 9 days in total. How to stain and seal hardwood floors.

Allow approximately 30 minutes drying time before staining. This will cause the wood to better accept the stain. Work one manageable area at a time such as four square feet. Top the finish with a protective and glossy coat of polyurethane sealer.

The drying time is at least 8 hours. Maintaining the finish on your floor can be a time consuming task but it is well worth it in terms of beauty. You may need to apply a second coat in the same manner to achieve the desired color. Use a rag or paint roller to apply a penetrating stain.

The actual staining of hardwood floors is a process and although it may seem a little complicated a few simple steps in how to stain floors will make the task a breeze. Clean the surface of the floor. For example if you are staining during a thunderstorm in august you could wait up to four days before it is safe to topcoat that stain four days plus a day for each coat of finish and then a day to allow the last finish coat to cure. Condition wood use a method called water popping in which you run a wet mop or cloth over the newly sanded floor to raise the grain.

In general it will usually take 3 5 days to refinish hardwood floors with an oil based polyurethane drying time pending on whether there is a stain how dark the stain is how humid it is and how many coats of polyurethane you apply. How to refinish hardwood floors. Choose an interior wood stain based on the color you desire and the type of hardwood flooring you have. Once the entire floor is stained let it dry completely usually at least 24 hours.

Use a swirling motion to apply the stain but when you wipe off residue move the rag only in the direction of the wood grain to avoid cross grain swipe marks. Most don t realize how long it takes to refinish hardwood floors. Materials and tools.