Refinishing wood floors

**Wallruss64** · 01-21-2012, 02:56 PM

So today I rented a floor sander and my buddy came over and sanded for me. He took it down to the bare wood in a spare bed room that we are currently turning into a nursery since we are expecting in July and just did a light sanding on the front living room and dining room. I was really surprised at how fast it went. I did all of the edging in the small room and the hallway and it took him like 2 hours to get the rest of it sanded. The whole project is about 550 square feet. We put the first coat of polyurethane on about an hour and a half ago and it says wait six hours to recoat. I sent my wife off shopping and were going to stay at her moms place tonight so we can let the house air out. I'm hanging out in the basement right now waiting to put the second coat on as we speak. I used a low voc minwax so the smell isn't nearly as bad as usual. Has anyone else done this and what tricks did you use when you were doing it? I am thinking that two coats is going to be plenty so we will be able to walk on it tomorrow night if not sooner.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-21-2012, 03:33 PM

3 coats is typical. I did it for a living, so what kinds of questions do you have?

**Wallruss64** · 01-21-2012, 05:01 PM

just wondering how cured you let it get before recoating. the poly im using says atleast 6 hours but it almost feels hard at 3 hours im not going to sand in between coats as the formula doesnt require it just trying to get it done asap so we can walk on it tomorrow night

**Cyclonepride** · 01-21-2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Wallruss64

just wondering how cured you let it get before recoating. the poly im using says atleast 6 hours but it almost feels hard at 3 hours im not going to sand in between coats as the formula doesnt require it just trying to get it done asap so we can walk on it tomorrow night

You want to wait the recommended time. Otherwise, the coat underneath can cure after the top coats and make it orange peel.