Sanding & Coating Procedure
What do we do?
- inspect the floor area to be sanded
- punch nail holes where necessary
- course sand floor to ensure it is level
- medium sand floor to ensure the floor colour is even as possible
- fill nail holes, knots & gaps with the closest matching putty
- fine sand the floor to ensure smoothness of the grain & putty fillings
- vacuum the entire area to remove all dust & dirt
- apply the first coat of Polyurethane and after drying time, inspect the floor for the quality of putty filling and other flaws in the finish
- apply the next two coatings with light sanding, including edges and vacuuming between the coats
The floor takes 24 hours to dry and must not be walked on during this period. No furniture must be placed on the newly finished floor for 72 hours. The floor should only have light use for the first 7 days to ensure the floor coatings cure properly.
Floor Finish Expectations
The quality of the final finish depends on the environment in which the sanding and coating is carried out and the natural imperfections occurring in the timber.
What not to expect
- a dust free finish as there will always be some dust particles in the air which may settle on the wet coating
- removal of deep cuts eg: from carpet trimming knives or deep gouges in the boards
- removal of stains such as animal urine and water marks within the boards and around nail holes
- filling of gaps between the boards. These gaps are not filled because the subsequent shrinkage and expansion in the timber will cause cracking in the filler
- do not expect boards damaged by borer to have the same gloss level as boards in good conditions
- do not expect boards filled with putty, including nail holes to have the same look or feel as the coated timber
- some markings on the skirting boards from the contact with the Edger and/or Polyurethane
- some variation in the colour and grain between old and new boards
- stain around the perimeter of some old timber may produce a two tone effect on the floor
Maintenance
- When placing furniture on the floor, a piece of felt should be used on all legs of movable furniture to avoid scratches on the floor.
- Place mats at the exterior entrance to the room to reduce the introduction of abrasive grit and dirt.
- Vacuum and sweep the floor with a soft brush to remove any abrasive grit.
Recommendations to the Owner
- Ensure all building and finishing is completed prior to the floor sanding and coating.
- Finish all painting with the exception of the final coat on the skirting boards in the rooms being sanded and coated.
- Allow the floor to dry before laying any carpets.
- Ensure no silicone based products come into contact with the floor during the sanding and coating process. Products such as Fabulon, hair spray, fly spray etc. are silicon based and are not to be used near the floor surface. If so, they will cause rejection with the subsequent coats of Polyurethane.
The Quotation
Our specialist quotes each individual sanding and coating requests. This procedure is carried out on the premises where the floor sanding and coating are to be undertaken. Our representative will examine the floor and discuss with you your requirements and the final finish of the floor.
The valuation includes:
- the floor type and grain expectations
- nail holes and deep scratches
- stains that cannot be removed from the floor
- putty types, colour etc. and filling needs
- power requirements
- duration of the job procedure
Trained floor specialists carry out all work, using modern equipment and top quality finishing products.
Owner Preparation
The owner should:
- clear the floor to be sanded of all items
- make available 240volt power (min 15 AMP) and adequate lighting
- turn off all heating & air conditioning units. Make sure they are not used during the entire job and for 48 hours after the final coat.