Sanding floorboards

sarnydee

I've just bought a house and the floorboards in the living room are in a good condition so I would like to sand, then stain them. Does anyone have any advice on the best type of sander to use and of a good light oak coloured stain?

benjus

I'm just about to do the same thing... I called a local tool hire company and they have quoted me £30/day or £45/weekend (inc VAT) to hire a floor sander. They are closed between Christmas and NY so they said I could have it for the entire period for the weekend rate.
Not sure about the stain yet. I'll probably just put a matt varnish on them.

Poppy9

It's a messy job. I would hire a sander then get some old sheets and dampen them. Tape one sheet up to the door from inside the room and one on the outside of the room to stop the dust travelling. Make sure you wear a mask and googles. You will need to go over the floor a few times depending on the condtion of the floor, with various grades of sand paper (provided by hire shop).

I waxed my floor instead of varnishing as you can just add more wax to scratches instead of revarnishing. I used Osmo hard wax oil you will need to go to a builders merchant or decorating specialist to buy. I paid £45 for a tin but it did the whole floor, twice (room about 25ft by 15ft- maybe bigger). You paint it on with a brush and it's quick and easy. My floor is oak block flooring and when I sanded it was very pale. The wax oil has deepened the colour, but not much, but it's really brings out the grain beautifully. Easy to clean - I sweep it with a brush or put the hoover over it. No mopping needed.

bobshep

I hired two sanders from Mk 1 hire - there was one that looked like an upright vacuum cleaner which does most of the room and a smaller hand-held one used for going up to the edges. Cost around £45 for the weekend from memory.

After staining with a Ronseal stain I used a quick-drying floor varnish (Ronseal again I think). Gave the floor two coats and was very impressed with the end result.

Good luck :xmassmile

Poppy9

benjus wrote:

I'm just about to do the same thing... I called a local tool hire company and they have quoted me £30/day or £45/weekend (inc VAT) to hire a floor sander. They are closed between Christmas and NY so they said I could have it for the entire period for the weekend rate.
Not sure about the stain yet. I'll probably just put a matt varnish on them.

You will probably need the sander for a couple of days as it's quite hard going working in the dust. Also don't varnish the floor wax it. The builders merchant we bought the wax from said if you varnish it it will get scratched and dirt will get in. You then have to resand to varnish again. If you wax it you can just keep reapplying as needed with no need to sand. The wax seals the floor.

moonrakerz

The professionals all seem to use products made by Bonakemi.

This website lists all their products.

http://www.woodenflooringsales.com/bonakemi/index.php

flang

You will need a belt sander.
I would recommend buying one as you can get them for around £40,
i brought mine from lidl about a year ago and its brillant and so quick very messy though!

Avoriaz

I agree with flang. Buy a decent quality belt sander on ebay or from a store. It will be far cheaper than renting and you own a sander afterwards for the next job or to re sell on ebay. Or ask around amongst your friends. Maybe one has a sander that he will lend you for a few beers

I got a great sander from Argos last year at a special offer price of about £13. Ridiculously low as it is identical to the £40 models in the DIY stores. You will be lucky to get one as cheap but you will easily get one for less than the cost of hiring. You are not a pro so it does not need to be a £100 long lasting pro sander and anyway they break as easily as the diy versions.

Try and get one with a vacuum cleaner attachment to suck up the dust. As others have said, it is horribly messy work, even with a vacuum cleaner taking most of the dust.