Sanding hardwood floors is an expensive and arduous job that most of us would like to avoid.
Sandless floor refinishing, however, promises to give us a beautifully clean floor without all the sanding mess.
But is it really true?
What is Sandless Floor Refinishing and How Does it Work?
Just as the name implies, sandless refinishing involves no sanding.
Since the dust or dirt gets absorbed in the liquid, your furniture will remain clean and dust-free.
However, this method wont remove dents, scratches or stains from the floor.
Furthermore, it wont remove the floors color, which means you cant change the floors color.
With time, wooden floors accumulate dents and scratches that some people consider as characterful.
Dustless Vs. Sandless Floor Refinishing
Dustless refinishing is more or less the same process as traditional refinishing.
It aims to restore a worn or damaged hardwood flooring and make it look as good as new.
The process involves sanding the floor until its surface is completely raw.
The sanding process may need to be done up to 3 times until desired results are achieved.
The surface can then be stained with the color of your choice.
The final step is to apply clear coats of finish to complete the job.
But while this process is practical, it is not 100% dust-free.
There is no major sanding involved aside from etching the surface.
If you want to change the color, opt for dustless sanding instead.
The price can be even higher depending on the types of finishes and stains you choose.
Refinishing reclaimed hardwood will cost much higher.
In addition to being cheaper, the procedure is clean and almost dust-free.
But just as with everything else, there are also disadvantages to sandless refinishing.
The main drawback is the fumes produced by the chemicals used.
This is why sandless refinishing isnt recommended for rooms with poor ventilation.
Furthermore, youll have to wear a mask before carrying out this task.
Keep in mind that the floor cant be stained during the process.
It can only be coated with a clear finish.
The end results will not be as attractive as the traditional sanding and finishing the floor.
This procedure involves buffering the floor lightly before applying a refresher coat.
For those who want to lighten the color of their floor, sandless refinishing wont be suitable.
To refinish your floor without sanding it, start by vacuuming the dust first.
The next step is to tack the floor and apply two coats of clear floor finish.
This is a great method of staining wooden floors in a darker color without sanding them.
In fact, you’re free to apply the stain directly after screening the floor.
It must then be covered with a clear finish.
If you choose to apply a water-based finish, it will dry within a matter of hours.
This means your sandless refinishing task can be completed within a day.
This kit includes a chemical etcher, all the necessary tools, and a clear finish.
When using the chemical etch, remember to apply it to a clean floor.
Again, you may use a paint pad or the tool in your kit to apply the clear finish.
FAQs
Sandless refinishing is a less labor-intensive process than traditional refinishing of hardwood floors.
It can be done within a day, whereas full sanding will usually take around 2-3 days to complete.
When is the best time of the year to refinish my floor without sanding?
Other than that, it doesnt matter when you choose to refinish your floor without sanding.
No, its not completely dust-free, but it wont leave much dust in your home.
This low-cost alternative to sanding is a practical choice for quick touch-ups.
This method of refinishing can be very practical to bring back the shine to your floors.
