This last week we decided to rip up our old nasty carpet on the upstairs floor of our house, and refinish the hardwood flooring that was underneath.  We knew there was hardwood floor underneath after we peaked under the carpet in the closet.  What you never know until you take it all out is what kind of shape it is in general.  I made a few mistakes that I'll tell you about, but for the most part it turned out pretty good.   So hears some tips for your first time.

 

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    1

    Wear A Mask When Removing Carpet

    I had a mask ready to go for when I was sanding, but I didn't think I needed one for tearing out carpet.   I was wrong.  The dust and crap was terrible.  I had a sore throat the next day.  I can't imagine what gross stuff I inhaled.

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    2

    Staples, staples, staples

    Probably the most frustrating part of the project was all the staples I needed to pull up.  Have a pair of needle nosed pliers in your pocket at all times.  Even after you think you've got them all, you'll run across them.

  • Floors after sanding
    Floors after sanding
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    3

    Rent A Floor Sander, and Have A Friend On Stand-by

    Floor sanders aren't that expensive to rent.  I spent $24 at Menards for a four hour rental.  But, the sanding discs that go with it cost me about $35.  Oh, and make sure they have them there.  They were out of the sanding discs which caused me to do some running around.

    Also these things are heavy!  Make sure you have someone help you lift it.  Especially if you have to carry it all the way upstairs like we did.

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    4

    Palm Sanders Work Just Fine Around The Edges

    I've got a 5 inch orbital palm sander that I used around the edges of the room, along with a mouse (point) sander for corners.  It worked slick and the sanding discs are pretty cheap.  No need to get fancy with anything else.

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    5

    Buy Extra Tack Cloths

    Tack cloths are what you use to pick up the microscopic dust that's left over after you sweet and vacuum.  You want the surface to be really clean before you apply the stain.   I bought a six pack, and quickly burned through them.  They are cheap enough I would just buy them in bulk.

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    6

    Thoroughly Read Dry Times On Stains & Polyurethane At The BEGINNING Of The Project

    I didn't realize stain takes at least 24 hours to set.  That ruined an entire day that I had planned off to apply poly.  I should have read the directions on day one.

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    7

    Apply The Stain With The Grain Of The Wood

    This is where I'm still kicking myself.  I applied the stain by just starting in a corner with a sponge and working my way across the room.   It looks pretty good when I finished, but there are a few spots where the stain makes a curved line because I didn't follow the grain.   I corrected this when I put down poly.

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