Which Sandpaper Grit to Use for Sanding Wood Floors?

When sanding wooden floors, your temptation may be to start by heavily abrading them.  This temptation is intensified when the floors are grooved, pitted, stained, worn, and scratched.  What’s the best grit to use?

Best Answer

For either soft or hardwoods, start around 50 grit and gradually step down to 120 grit.

Because

Sandpaper grit designations might be the opposite from what you think.  A higher number means a finer, softer sandpaper grit.  A lower number means coarser and more abrasive.

 

Hardwood Floors

  • First Pass:  40 grit.
  • Second Pass:  60 grit.
  • Third Pass:  100 grit.
  • Optional Last Pass:  120 grit.

Soft Wood Floors

  • First Pass:  50 grit.
  • Second Pass:  60 grit.
  • Third Pass:  100 grit.
  • Optional Last Pass:  120 grit.

Can You Use a Coarser Grit for Problem Floors?

Yes, but you need to look at your floor’s history a bit.  If it has been drum-sanded eight times already, you’re probably walking on rice paper now.  Not only would I advise against sanding, I would advise you to lay down all-new floors!

If this is the first or second drum-sanding, then feel free to lay down hard on those floors with a coarser grit–provided the floor has imperfections that warrant this.  Just abide by all the sanding rules to avoid destroying your floors.  Some stains and imperfections just need a good, hard floor-sanding, and that’s all.

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