| If an old finish on a floor cannot be satisfactorily repaired, it may be necessary to completely sand the surface and apply a new finish. Make certain that all nails are countersunk and that the floor is as clean as possible before sanding. Use an "open face" paper to remove the old finish. The heat and abrasion of the sanding operation may make the old finish gummy and will quickly clog normal sandpaper. Once new wood appears, regular sandpaper may be used.
Two types of finishes are available. Penetrating seals are probably the most common finish on residential floors. Sealers are usually thinned varnishes which, when applied to wood, will penetrate into the wood pores on the surface. The result is usually a low gloss or satin finish that wears only as the wood wears. Scratching and chipping of this finish is not a serious problem. One coat of a penetration sealer can give satisfactory performance, but two coats are generally better.
The second type of finish is the surface finish, including polyurethanes and varnishes. Polyurethanes have a high resistance to moisture, mechanical wear, stains and spills. Varnishes are also acceptable, but have a greater tendency to scratch. Surface finishes will usually give a longer life than penetrating sealers without any attention other than regular sweeping or dry mopping. However, when surface finishes must be renewed, it is usually necessary to refinish the entire room.
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