[Ineedhelp2009]

I just purchased this home last year. Built in 01 The floors are real. From the buckets left behind there stained with poly on top. The whole house is hardwoods.... is there any solution other then sanding/restain? I have tried murphy's one time. And used bruce at least 6 times. (mistake had about 12 kids running haywire for a few hours with shoes on)

 

[DangerMouse]

i've had success with 00 fine steel wool buffing the spot off, then polishing/buffing with a towel as needed.
then the sign went on the door to remove shoes.

DM

 

[DangerMouse]

oh, and a friend of mine swears by tennis balls. i just never had any around to try them, though it seems it'd scrub the scuffs off ok.

DM

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

oh, and a friend of mine swears by tennis balls. i just never had any around to try them, though it seems it'd scrub the scuffs off ok.

DM

Thanks will try in a spot and see the outcome, but That's a whole lot of work! it's about 2500-2700 square ft of hardwood floors and about 85-90% is messed up

shoes off for now on.

 

[Shamus]

The word you don't want to hear. Refinish.

Once the color is gone from a scratch that's the correct solution.

I've seen attempts at spot refinishing and that what it looks like when they finished.

Once you re-do the floor buy a supply of throw rugs in traffic areas.

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

The word you don't want to hear. Refinish.

Once the color is gone from a scratch that's the correct solution.

I've seen attempts at spot refinishing and that what it looks like when they finished.

Once you re-do the floor buy a supply of throw rugs in traffic areas.

I was thinking that was going to be the answer. Alot of the stain has been chipped off... really bad by front door. So in a cases like that...do people normally take quarter round up, and put back or do new. If so how to you get it off without scratching floor. I have never done floors before, is this something the average person can tackle myself (renting big sander or pay someone?

 

[Shamus]

I like to remove the qtr round. It allows you to get close to the base and makes for a better finished job. Especially in the corners. Just pry it gently and use a thin backer to keep from marring anything. Then re-install. If it needs some sanding and painting do it before you replace.

It's a DIY project but do your homework. Research what types of sander and grit will be best for the wood type and floor finish you have. Better to take off less with more passes with the sander than trying to rush the job. You may need to stay with the same shade of finish. It may be unrealistic to change to something lighter because you probably won't be able to remove all the dark color from the wood.

I'd start with verifying how thick the wood actually is. If you can pull up a threshold or a floor register to see the end-grain you can confirm what your working with.

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

I like to remove the qtr round. It allows you to get close to the base and makes for a better finished job. Especially in the corners. Just pry it gently and use a thin backer to keep from marring anything. Then re-install. If it needs some sanding and painting do it before you replace.

It's a DIY project but do your homework. Research what types of sander and grit will be best for the wood type and floor finish you have. Better to take off less with more passes with the sander than trying to rush the job. You may need to stay with the same shade of finish. It may be unrealistic to change to something lighter because you probably won't be able to remove all the dark color from the wood.

I'd start with verifying how thick the wood actually is. If you can pull up a threshold or a floor register to see the end-grain you can confirm what your working with.

Sounds good.....good input... that will be a really long project my house has alot of funny shapes and angles everywhere almost shaped like a octagon

the wood is really thick i have been able to pull a piece under the steps i would say at least an inch.

 

[DangerMouse]

an inch thick? was that built in 1901? or 2001?
i'd dare say before sanding, be sure it's solid hardwood, not a laminate!

DM

 

[floortrends]

Without experience I would be very hesitant to sand and finish a floor that size with a 110v rental machine. Your house would be out of comission for weeks. When you sand your floor you will remove all the stain and end up with a natural floor again. That should be your goal. If you do decide to take on this project, I would recomend not staining the floor. It takes many years of practice to acheive a stained floor without uneven shading. Also next time don't use oil based poly, use a more durable finish like Bona Traffic.

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

an inch thick? was that built in 1901? or 2001?
i'd dare say before sanding, be sure it's solid hardwood, not a laminate!

DM

This is on piece i can remove under steps next to air vent... not as thick as i was thinking

 

[floortrends]

That is 3/4 solid red oak

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

That is 3/4 solid red oak

good?bad?

 

[floortrends]

That is fine. You have plenty of wood to sand.

 

[DangerMouse]

That is 3/4 solid red oak

for sure oak, likely a dark walnut stain. will require much sanding to get it back to light color and even.
DM

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

for sure oak, likely a dark walnut stain. will require much sanding to get it back to light color and even.

DM

you hit it MINIWAX dark walnut..... I would love to do lighter color because of the lab--- unlikely?

 

[DangerMouse]

stain between boards will not remove and will leave dark lines between pieces. call it 'character'.....
oak never looks good to me stained dark walnut. it won't absorb the stain evenly because of it's natural grain.
what do you think of carpeting? or a new cork floor?

DM

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

stain between boards will not remove and will leave dark lines between pieces. call it 'character'.....
oak never looks good to me stained dark walnut. it won't absorb the stain evenly because of it's natural grain.
what do you think of carpeting? or a new cork floor?

DM

My wife won't fly for that. May sell one day, hardwood floors will help in the long run.

 

[drillbit]

Might be worth a shot.

Why not wipe down the floor with stain completely to prevent 'spot fixes'.

I did this on a door that was stained walnut and it took care of the scratches. I wiped down the entire door even where the finish was good. Of course it wiped away form the poly'ed areas but gave an overall cohesive look.

It might be an alternative to refinishing.

I'd recommend trying it in a small area to see if you could live with it.

 

[Ineedhelp2009]

Might be worth a shot.

Why not wipe down the floor with stain completely to prevent 'spot fixes'.

I did this on a door that was stained walnut and it took care of the scratches. I wiped down the entire door even where the finish was good. Of course it wiped away form the poly'ed areas but gave an overall cohesive look.

It might be an alternative to refinishing.

I'd recommend trying it in a small area to see if you could live with it.

will try that somewhere thanks