Steps To Apply Oil Based Polyurethane To Wood Floors
Polyurethane protects the wood floor from scratches and heat. It gives a beautiful look to the floor. The steps are given below in order to apply oil-based polyurethane to wood floors:
Step 1: Prepare Floor
Before applying the oil-based polyurethane the floor surface needs to be prepared. To prepare the floor surface follow the below-given steps:
- Sand The Floor: If the floor is new then the customer need to sand the floor surface three times to make the surface smooth. Three different sandpapers are used that includes 36-grit, 60-grit, and 100-grit sandpaper.
- Vacuum The Floor: Take a commercial vacuum cleaner and remove the debris particles from the surface of the wood floor.
- Clean The Surface: Now the next step is to clean the floor surface. Take a clean cloth and apply mineral spirit to it then clean the entire floor surface.
- Apply Masking Tape: To protect the baseboard from polyurethane, use newspaper and cover the baseboards with masking tape.
Step 2: Applying Polyurethane
Follow the below-given steps to apply polyurethane:
- Stir The Polyurethane: Mix the polyurethane completely and pour it in a paint tray. Use a bristle brush to apply the coat of polyurethane on the wood floor.
- Apply Polyurethane: Start to apply polyurethane from the farthest corner of the room. Then leave it to dry for about 4 to 8 hours. When the floor dries completely sand the floor surface to make it smooth.
- Clean The Floor: Oil based polyurethane can be cleaned by using paint thinner and soft cloth is used to apply cleaner and then dry the floor.
- Apply Second Coat: For second coat the polyurethane needs to be thinned by combining the polyurethane with mineral spirit and placing it in the paint tray. Then start applying a thin coat of polyurethane.
- Allow To Dry: Leave the floor to dry according to the recommended instructions. Use steel wool to make the entire surface smoother and remove the dust particles from the floor.
- Apply Final Coat: Apply a full-strength coat of polyurethane on the wood floor surface and do not sand or clean the final coat of polyurethane. Allow the floor to dry for about 24 hours. Wait for about 72 hours and then replace the furniture.