The Sand & Refinish Process

The Hardwood Flooring Pros' Sand & Refinish Process begins by removing the exisiting finish and stain all the way down to the bare wood via our state-of-the-art planetary sander. We employ a three-stage progression of grits—from rough (30-60) to medium (80-100) to fine (100-120)—ensuring a perfectly smooth surface that not only removes the finish and stain, it sands down any "cupping" or "crowning" any damaged or warped boards.

During the medium-fine stage, we hand-trowel species-specific wood filler across the entire floor to fill gaps and holes before staining and sealing. Prior to applying the wood fill, we don a headlamp and meticulously inspect the floor for any nailheads exposed during the sanding process. If any are identified, we use a nailpunch and hammer those suckers back down where they belong, before beginning the wood fill process.

Before staining, we perform a technique called "Water Popping," which raises the wood grain for a smooth, even stain application (unless you're opting for a natural finish). We then apply the stain, with "dry-times" ranging from 2 hours for wood tones to 12-18 hours for darker colors, depending on the home's interior climate conditions. Also, between each stage of the Sand & Refinishing Process, we vacuum the floors obsessively in order to mitigate scratching or "swirling".

Once the stain is dry, we then apply the first coat of Waterborne Polyurethane Finish. After the first coat dries, we perform an "intercoat abrasion" by lightly sanding the first coat with fine abrasives, and then we apply the second and final coat finish. For high-traffic areas, we add a third coat for extra durability.

You can walk on the floor with socks just two hours after the final coat dries and with shoes after 24 hours (but check for rocks or sand to avoid scratches!). The finish's "Cure Time" takes approximately 4-5 days to fully cure and harden (under optimal conditions), so please adhere to the full 4-5 day curing time before replacing furniture or rugs onto your freshly finished hardwood floors.

With our meticulous process and premium products, The Hardwood Flooring Pros ensures your refinished hardwood floors are beautiful, durable, and ready to impress for years and years to come! For more information, we provide prospective clients with a copy of our Terms & Expectations sheet, which details everything in terms of what you can expect from us when it comes to the sand & refinish process!

Want to learn more about our hardwood flooring Sand & Refinish Process? Please visit our blog for more information!