WIHD, Thanks so much for the info! I applied the first coat of poly this morning - was a breeze! I was nervous after reading so many threads where people had problems, but this was easy-peasy! YAY! I used a pole and the Varathane lambswool applicator pad after first going 4" around the perimeter with a brush giving it a light coat. This floor is about 14x21 and it took one hour to do this. I followed instructions posted on this forum (THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!
) to apply from one end to the other the width of the pad, then move over slightly overlapping and do it again being careful not to get too heavy with the overlap.
The one thing that I didn't expect to be so strong was the STINK! It didn't hit me until after I finished and was admiring my work - then bang the headache and burning eyes and thinking I might loose my cookies! OMG I opened two windows, put a fan blowing outward in one window, changed my clothes and left Dodge! Six hours later I returned. It still stinks some, but not the headache, burning eyes, etc.
There were posts saying that even if the can said you didn't need to sand in between coats to do so anyways or you wouldn't get a good finish. Nervous Nellie here -- I've worked really hard and don't want to sacrifice a quality finish to save a little work so I'll go ahead and will pole sand using fine grit as I don't have a buffer. The can says to wait at least 12 hours for the poly to dry before reapplying and more if humidity level is high. We're on the verge of rain here and the humidity is higher so I think I should wait more than the 12 hours to be safe. Tomorrow morning it'll be about 22 hours and I'll sand then gently vacuum dust up and will tack off before applying the next coat. PLEASE - If I'm being TOO cautious here, don't hesitate to straighten me out! (I don't cry easily
)
I'm so geeked about my recent projects (Fireplace raised hearth removed and this floor refinishing)! I've had soooo many people tell me to not try it, to hire someone to do it, blah, blah, blah. I'm doing the yippee skippy dance at the money I've saved and the great results I'm seeing. I'm so glad I didn't listen to everyone.
By the way, the fireplace will be refaced after this floor has cured completely. Then I'll tile the hearth and 12" surrounding the firebox and will build the wood surround/mantle as well.
) I have a pole sander, sandpaper as well as screen paper (like the wallpaper sanding stuff) and orbital and palm sanders. Seriously, I'll do the hands and knees if I have to to get a quality job
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