Polyurethaning floors

[scn]

OK, tomorrow I get to try my hand at putting down polyurthane on the hardwood floor in my den. It was resting nicely under the pretty gross carpet I ripped out a couple of weeks ago. I sandeded and restained where needed, and hope to make it a little more labrador resistant tomorrow with the poly.

I just got back from our Home Depot run with super fast drying Minwax polyurethane, lambswool applicators, tape, and mineral spirits. The instructions I've been given by a buddy that does some of this are:

1. Sweep down the floor
2. Use a towel and mineral spirits to wipe down the floor
3. Pour the poly on the floor and use the lambswool appl. to cover the floor.
4. Let totally dry. He first told me to sand between coats, but then backed off on that and told me to wipe it down and not worry about sanding. The can said no sanding is necessary as well.

Any advice before I do something really dumb (instead of just a little dumb)?

 

[AndyW]

If you don't care, come back and share how well or crappy it went. Ours need it bad and I've been putting it off.

 

[Chaneylake]

you can not clean the floor enough before applying, been there done that

 

[WG Taxidermist]

OK, tomorrow I get to try my hand at putting down polyurthane on the hardwood floor in my den. It was resting nicely under the pretty gross carpet I ripped out a couple of weeks ago. I sandeded and restained where needed, and hope to make it a little more labrador resistant tomorrow with the poly.

I just got back from our Home Depot run with super fast drying Minwax polyurethane, lambswool applicators, tape, and mineral spirits. The instructions I've been given by a buddy that does some of this are:

1. Sweep down the floor
2. Use a towel and mineral spirits to wipe down the floor
3. Pour the poly on the floor and use the lambswool appl. to cover the floor.
4. Let totally dry. He first told me to sand between coats, but then backed off on that and told me to wipe it down and not worry about sanding. The can said no sanding is necessary as well.

Any advice before I do something really dumb (instead of just a little dumb)?

I wouldn't use a towel to wipe it down unless you want fuzz everywhere! I would use an old white tee shirt and mineral spirits.

 

[scn]

Thanks for the hints. Please keep them coming.

I've got some t-shirts that will fit the bill!

 

[RatherBeHuntin]

Prepare to have a bad taste in your mouth and heartburn for a couple of days. At least that is what it did to me. But I live in a log home and every floor and wall in it has poly on it and it took about a week to do it all.

 

[KANATI McD]

Whatever you do, be sure to cut off all open flames. My cousin was doing a floor and forgot about gas water heater. When the gas water heater came on to heat the water, the whole house burnt to the ground and he spent 6 months in the med. His friend wasnt so lucky..
Not trying to scare ya, just want you to stay safe....

 

[wlf89]

i have always sanded between coats

 

[Rob R.]

If that poly is really fast drying. You are going to have to put it down fast to avoid marring up the finish. Good luck.

 

[Outdoor life]

For the hard wood floor here. We sand and last time actually stripped the wood (I remember the stripping well, cause I accidently stepped on a small puddle that was left...oh my the burning sting). Then we just put down the poly like putting paint on the wall, and it turned out well (we are far from professionals of course)...that's been a few years, and it may be time to do it again now that you got me thinking about it.

By the way, you will have that smell linger with you, cause I remember smelling it still while at school for the whole day.

Good luck though.

 

[RUGER]

Ok you do realize turkey season starts tomorrow, right?

 

[dr]

I used water based poly, the vapors are not as bad as oil based, and dries pretty quick. Don't shake the can to mix or you will get a bunch of air bubbles.

 

[DaveB]

I don't think a t-shirt is lint-less enough, gotta be a pretty well used up one.

Kill all yourt pilot lights and keep the windows open. low voc or not the stuff has an odor.

If any of you have brass things-I have some brass duck book ends-if you polish them up and then poly, they stay shiny for let see, over 19 years.

 

[scn]

Thanks all!

 

[in the dog house]

Yes..... make sure you open EVERY window and door that you can, and I would get a couple of big fans to draw air out. If it is fast drying make sure you always keep a wet edge, or if you have a line where you stop, be careful to not over lap.

oh and watch the weather, high humidity will give you fits!!!

 

[jb3]

Multiple coats. I think the building standard is/was two, but I recommend 4. Plus, stay off of it.

 

[Otterman]

Owned a hardwood flooring company for 8yrs. Three coats. Gloss is the best for first 2 coats because it is the strongest. Use a 3M/Scotch Bright buffing pad between coats (maroon color) Pro's will use a screen between coats. Vacum and wipe, with t-shirt and spirits,each time.

 

[scn]

Ok you do realize turkey season starts tomorrow, right?

Hopefully a coat or two today and finish up tomorrow after a turkey hunt.

 

[scn]

Well, we got all of the furniture moved out, baseboards taped, and things swiftered down. After a quick look, we found an area or two that needed a little more stain. And, it started pouring down rain. So, we will try again tomorrow after a morning turkey hunt.

 

[Slaughter-06]

Cool damp weather will make it take twice as long to dry. And the fumes will run you out of the house you will need a place to stay while doing it.