# Sand and refinish hardwood **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [March 20, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370 "2012-03-20T18:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sickasob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@sickasob](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sickasob)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/1 "2012-03-20T18:53:08Z")
I have a front foyer about 5X5 needs to be sanded and refinished. Anyone have any recommendations to do this. I called a few places and they won’t do it because the area is too small. Or if someone wants to do it as a side job… ---
**Author:** ![KENLUDE97](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kenlude97/32/7464_2.png) [@KENLUDE97](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KENLUDE97)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/2 "2012-03-21T05:47:07Z")
Buy a belt sander and a small hand sander for the edges and do it yourself. A nice weekend project. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/3 "2012-03-21T06:25:02Z")
It would probably be better/easier/cheaper to just replace it if it is only 5 x 5. My 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/4 "2012-03-21T06:28:48Z")
I would just do that myself for sure. Shouldn’t take more than a few hours to sand it with even a random orbital sander. ---
**Author:** ![ieatpaint](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ieatpaint/32/7311_2.png) [@ieatpaint](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ieatpaint)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/5 "2012-03-21T14:14:38Z")
What’s on it now? I’d take a look at it if you want someone to do it for you. ---
**Author:** ![sickasob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@sickasob](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sickasob)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/6 "2012-03-21T19:21:51Z")
Right now it’s just plain original hardwood just in rough shape needs to be freshened up. What grit sandpaper would you use on it? ---
**Author:** ![oneslowdsm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8491ac/32.png) [@oneslowdsm](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/oneslowdsm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/7 "2012-03-21T19:40:36Z")
I work for a big name hardwood place. If you want some help shoot me a pm. ---
**Author:** ![ieatpaint](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ieatpaint/32/7311_2.png) [@ieatpaint](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ieatpaint)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/8 "2012-03-21T20:03:18Z")
Tough to say what to start with, if it’s rough I’d go 80, 100 then finish with 120 for a darker color and 150 for a lighter color stain. If it’s not terrible skip the 80. ---
**Author:** ![Scott](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/scott/32/7603_2.png) [@Scott](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Scott)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/9 "2012-03-21T20:34:42Z")
Take a pic ---
**Author:** ![sickasob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@sickasob](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sickasob)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 9:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/10 "2012-03-31T09:44:07Z")
![https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=0ead8ef9f7&view=att&th=136699d308079c8e&attid=0.1&disp=thd&zw](https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=0ead8ef9f7&view=att&th=136699d308079c8e&attid=0.1&disp=thd&zw) Here is what im working with ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/11 "2012-04-02T05:17:13Z")
404 Picture Not Found ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 10:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/12 "2012-05-04T10:02:07Z")
Bump because this is a project on my to do list before I move in. Except with the whole first floor. Planning on heading to ABC rental and getting a drum sander, then might just re-poly not sure if I’ll stain. Anyone have experience doing a whole room/floor? Drew already volunteered to help. ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/13 "2012-05-04T10:08:30Z")
PAGING LUKE\_L!!! He did his entire front room of his house. I think he just rented a sander from HD, and used a palm sander for the corners. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/14 "2012-05-04T10:18:48Z")
The internet is an amazing tool… Stripping: > **[How to Strip a Hardwood Floor](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-strip-hardwood-floor)** > > This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows the proper and safe way to remove an old finish from a hardwood floor Refinishing: > **[How to Refinish Hardwood Floors](https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors)** > > Applying a new finish to an old floor with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. ---
**Author:** ![LUKE\_L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/luke_l/32/7462_2.png) [@LUKE\_L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LUKE_L)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/15 "2012-05-04T11:58:18Z")
> [@97FormulaWS-6](#): > > PAGING LUKE\_L!!! > > He did his entire front room of his house. I think he just rented a sander from HD, and used a palm sander for the corners. I just did my main bed room last night. Took two and a half hours to do 12 x 15. Kristen helped…she did awesome! I did rent the 4 pad random orbital from Home Depot. It is $53.00 for 4 hours or $73.00 per day with $125.00 deposit. I used - 36, 60, and 100 grit. 2 full passes with the 36 grit to remove 90% of the varnish. 2 passes with the 60 grit to expose the rest of the wood and smooth out high spots. 2 passes with 100 grit to finish. I changed the 36 and 60 grit pads halfway and the 100 grit every third. You will need a shop vac, mask, and a good broom. Sweep between each full “pass” in the room. Once it is sanded cut the edges in to where the floor sander could not reach. Stain with you choice of stain. 2 coats of poly. Done. My main dining room was much larger and I went through more discs. But the process was exactly the same. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/16 "2012-05-04T12:06:47Z")
Wanna do some more! How bad were your floors? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/17 "2012-05-04T12:15:52Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > It would probably be better/easier/cheaper to just replace it if it is only 5 x 5. > My 2 cents. I still stand by my 2 cents. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/18 "2012-05-04T12:22:58Z")
I ain’t paying for that much flooring that’s for damn sure. ---
**Author:** ![LUKE\_L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/luke_l/32/7462_2.png) [@LUKE\_L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LUKE_L)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/19 "2012-05-04T12:57:01Z")
> [@ProgRocker](#): > > Wanna do some more! > > How bad were your floors? Sure, when did you need a hand? My floors were “level” but the finish was toast. If your boards are ok and not rotted or gouged too bad you can probably get away with a quick sand and re-seal. You can fill minor gaps and dings. I would recommend staining while you are at it. I’ll dig up some photos. of my dining room… ---------- Post added at 03:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ---------- Here is when I moved in: ![http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/llorentz/House/003_Dining_Room.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/a/7/a748e696eeeac372f1ac7ff534b9eba31ebeb994.jpeg) In work Sept '10: ![http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/llorentz/House/0924011452.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/7/b/7b5aa0307958a985c11519dee8738d4f4b9a61f1.jpeg) Floor and Painting Done Oct '10: ![http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/llorentz/House/1012011303.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/1/d109c58ff7dd761d17e5b188ea7d56ade1e862c6.jpeg) Finished Product Oct '10 (Pre-sobo Window/Door install 🙂 ): ![http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/llorentz/House/1022012052.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/1/f/1f5fb85929609eda4d227ad36f62327d5794300f.jpeg) Sorry for pic quality…that’s all I have at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370/20 "2012-05-04T18:08:33Z")
If I close on time I’ll probably be doing this at the end of May. Hopefully get all the sanding done in one day. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/sand-and-refinish-hardwood/221370.md?page=2)