I Refinished My Own Hardwood Floors, but with a TWIST

[@lengthyounarther]

I think the voiceover videos work really well for you. When you’re doing the work you can focus on just doing the great job you normally do without second-guessing about how you should now write it. Once you’re finished you can relax and do these commentaries. Not only can you provide more information than when you’re trying to juggle your tools and tasks, you can add some witty banter which makes it more entertaining.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

I concur!

[@Zawazuki]

That floor is looking absolutely fabulous!

[@theoneroomworkshop5862]

Just want to say thank you. By watching your videos I learned how to install and finish a reclaimed French Oak floor. I followed your advice and used Sikabond glue and Bona Classic and Traffic HD. I would definately recommend you to anyone thinking of installing or refinishing a wood floor. At the start, I knew nothing about it; by the end of the process, I was happy with the outcome. Thanks again.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Glad to hear, thanks

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

Thank you for sharing your hard-earned experience and know-how with us!! Excellent content and commentary on the video, including your replies in text. Truly nice work. Many thanks.

[@HeavyH2006]

Super great looking floor. Aesthetically a very discernable floor and attractive framing border. Love the walnut trim detail. Overall it gives the space a very subtle formal feeling. You are right you don't see that in UK only large stately homes, formal ballrooms etc. Great channel and great insights. Keep up the postings!! Thanks again.

[@artzermeno7808]

5ft

[@peterskoropad3074]

Hi this is Bonnie...I just wanted to say so happy for you in the going to court episode. Good for you because lawyer or not this person was acting in a very crooked manner. God Bless you.. you didn't allow him to shaft you.

[@graciemaca6996]

Sweet! That floor came out fabulous! Like glass. I love this style of floor!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Cheers Gracie 🍻

[@EllysaE]

Ugh that herringbone is beautiful

[@clintonj6136]

Beautiful floors especially the finished product.

[@jmurray01]

That looks really good! I still have 1980s parquet in my kitchen that I need to restore, so plucking up the courage to do that... It won't be perfect but if I can make it look better than it currently is then that'll be an achievement.

[@llrudin]

I haven't laughed so hard at a person's commentary in a long time, thank you for making my day. Plus some good floor sanding advice to boot.

[@margaretdavis2627]

Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this.

[@AnimEva_33]

Looks like a great job, I need someone to do this for our parquet floors for our whole apartment

[@jacobschenkel1010]

when i see a video like this with the flloor result like this, i begin to question how people could ever prefer a floating tech wood floor over solid, unless they absolutely have to because of their substrate or floor level what not. that floor is gorgeous

[@RallyGreen]

Beautiful work! I spent a couple years stripping and waxing commercial floors and at the time the process felt very lengthy. Watching this, I have to smile at how naive I was back then. And my 2 cents on shoes - if someone's come to a flooring video to watch your shoes, maybe they'd prefer watching something more suited to their interests, like a video on restoring rubbish furniture by coating it in white paint, haha

[@SoraShadowdancer]

Your love handles are not gross, sir. They are yours and there is nothing wrong with them!

[@errl]

The pattern is insane

[@geofffikar3417]

I think that is the most beautiful pattern you can have on a wood floor.

[@puritan7473]

Great job, I have to say I think this is the best looking floor I have ever seen!

[@arianewell6252]

amazing job man.

[@doitdiaries3797]

I saw this kind of floor or rather finish before, that wow factor and curiosity how it became like that. Amazing ♥️

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@Letheseus]

Lovely floor. Great job. Many thanks

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you! 🍻

[@biketopia]

Ive used a method where you trowel boiled linseed oil onto the floor (especially for endgrain block floors.. but use a roller for that type of flooring) let it set up for a day or two, then run out coats of poly buffing between each coat. for the first buff over the boiled linseed oil, i always used steel wool, or the plastic equivalent. so the floor is mechanically etched but nice and tight. Oil Base here in the US is still in play, I prefer the depth of color myself. We always used water based or water borne for jobs due to the expediency of the process. Yet, many customers prefer oil. we would keep customers on a recoat schedule afterward.

[@Angel-qx1zk]

I just found your videos and I find them informative. I'm really enjoying the commentary on them; it's very entertaining.

[@cindywatkins35]

Wonderful and I hope we can do this on our reclaimed floor, nailed in by hand. If it comes out half this good We will be happy. I miss your hair! Sniff!

[@crystialst3203]

Love the work, How about refinishing stairs???

[@johndallara3257]

You can add some oil based stains ( color) in at the oiling phase, still trowel and buff out. The buffing will lighten the color a fair amout but you'll learn it as you go. Good work, very flat.

[@mikew151Manhattan]

Ben, that floor is the absolute bollocks mate! I haven't used the craft oil yet but will definitely offer it going forward.... Love the border btw!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Cheers 🙌

[@devintherealtor4297]

Great work!

[@zeinnaja]

Looks Awesome!

[@robertscottII]

Excellent as always.

[@1larock]

Looks stunning mate!

[@gerlofboy2011]

Nice job!

[@hoppy2515]

Voice over was perfect

[@TheloneousHonk]

glad to see a video without insane unnecessary muzak blasting.

[@gaekae]

Really like your work and attention to quality! I had to leave my job this last January and I'm taking this time to take care of 20 yrs of neglect on our house so we have more mobility at the end of the tunnel, and we have a lot to do. Not easy times. I'm struggling wether to hire someone to redo our hardwood floor or do this myself. Question for you: How can you filter professional to find someone that cares about the work quality as you do?

[@hashimjavaid3511]

Great work and a wonderfulyl natural looking parquet colour, will try the tip of 'Bona oil' to see if that helps.

[@Marigoldblu]

Beautiful! Fascinating to watch :D

[@jasonurban3597]

Great bum 👌👌 lol 🤣🤣. Floor looks awesome brother. I have yet to do Craft oil on a floor I think I will skip LOL but you make it look easy

[@HowToSandAFloor]

🤣🤣

[@Cardinalfloors]

Floor sander here from ohio I love your versatility bro!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@bg147]

From what I understand, parquet floors are less popular, or they were a few years ago. Not sure but it is my favorite style especially the really old ones in hotels and such with the square pattern.

[@dennisa4305]

You’re really good.

[@sw_909]

when you are using the buffing machine for sanding, what do you use to do the corners?

[@diesellove]

great job...❤❤

[@gittinsoutdooradventures5267]

I use fiddes. They have a UK and USA outlet. Have you used them, if so what did you think?

[@christinasmith9032]

Wooow!!

[@Invis_Space]

Wow what a floor 😮😮😮 does anyone know where I can get bona traffic from on the high street?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

UK?

[@Invis_Space]

@@HowToSandAFloor Sorry, should mentioned U.K. 😂

[@iambueno]

Thanks for the informative video. Do you know if Bona Traffic HD is compatible with OSMO oil? Or can you recommend a durable poly laquer that is compatible? I'm looking at purchasing prefinished herringbone solid oak, however its only available in an oiled finish.

[@ProStone88]

The oil 1st coat is for color? Because the waterborne finish doesn't give it the luster of oil. Right??

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Yes, the oil just gives it that extra vibrance some solvent primers are close but it appears to me that oil primer is just that bit better

[@jameshurst3279]

Any idea where to buy the walnut border and did you have to cut new tongues to fit the border and trim. Would love to put something like that down. House looks great.

[@hangtime8256]

Good to see you uploading videos again!

[@davidzucker9111]

Beautiful floor. Question... What brand/paint color is that blue wall?

[@christopherj2100]

Found this video really helpful ad informative. The end result is amazing! I have a really small utility room floor to refinish so rather than hiring big sanders I was just going to use my Bosch GET 75-150 (Rotex equivalent). Do you have any advice on which tan/buffing pads can be used for the buffing stages please? Thanks a lot

[@kattz6482]

Amazing job! What kind of wood is this? Solid? This is exactly what I would like to achieve! How big is each herringbone brick?

[@KB3M]

Did you spread filler across the floor?

[@KD-dr3gy]

Do you have any advice on hand planing? I have a small area that I would like to try to do and this seems like a more foolproof way than the big machine. It's a hallway and the hardwood is wrecked with wear marks. I have a dog so I don't mind a more natural, but not scraped look. I've been watching your videos and appreciate all the advice you give on how to get the best DIY results. Cheers from California!

[@anastasiiamoskalenko4809]

Beautiful channel you have and its great how you explain everything!! Just a little question I have. We never laid a layer of oil on our floor from the start, only a layer of polyurethane. And now we see that the floor is not water resistant. We have advise to lay some wax but im not sure it will give a water resistant effect or anything. I thought sand it little with 400-600 grid and to to lay another layer of polyurethane but again, will it be enough. What would you advice in this case?

[@proggydan8257]

The contrasting strips around the edges - are they painted, or wood?

[@megaman2016]

Which areas do you work?

[@robertlebbink3635]

Hi, thanks for the video. Very helpful. I have a question for you. I obtained three old buffing machines, with various speeds. Each with a 40cm round pad holder. What pads would I need to apply maintenance oil and which one then to remove excess oil? Or can I just apply with a roller and then buff away excess oil using a buffing machine. Also, what speed would be good for the machine (rpm). I have one with 900 rpm (Taski Ergodisc Omni), one Taski ranger 400, one Victor Sprite 400 super speed. Which one would be most suitable for the final buffing to remove excess oil? I am looking for matt, not too shiny. Are these machines OK, or do they rotate too fast?

[@geofffikar3417]

My original comment was deleted after I edited it. So, again, you did an outstanding job putting that floor in, and then made it even more beautiful with the finish. I am curious, is this the same house you had in your one video from nine years ago?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Thanks Geoff, no that was a customers house.

[@jjkongs8627]

Hi What oil calling in B&Q please.... Varnishes?

[@Cardinalfloors]

Hey bud what kind of bucket and what are those bags called you use when applying the polt

[@thewoodfloorguy]

do you remember the color of craft oil you used?

[@sahar1usa]

do u think i should be sanding hard wood floor before putting epoxy on it? What is the best way of sanding hard wood floor without leaving those marks behind and make the floor leveled with no wholes or scratches ?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

lili M check our the video “refinishing hardwood floors yourself on my channel. The thumbnail says “how pros get floors so damn flat”

[@FarhiRosleysembunyi]

I watched your videos which is informative, keep up the good work. I have a question. Is it possible to white stain on dark color parquet? Because I wanted the floor to be lighter and brighter.

[@Lisa-TheSterlingCritic]

How long did this take and how long will it last?

[@alexthomas6157]

Where in the uk are you based? Do you cover Yorkshire? Or know anyone who does this near me? Just had our kitchen floor done and it’s horrendous. Please can you help

[@diodorusb]

Just wandering, when you say oil, you mean polyurethane?

[@venturaeasy7824]

Hi excuse my ignorance but l have been watching your video and went on line and order the bona craft oil and the HG parquet protective coating can that used instead of the the bona HD traffic coat that you used at the end ?

[@pauljackson2526]

Could you tell the best product to use on a sanded pine floor, I want it to be gloss and very hard wearing? Thanks.

[@DARKOvibrations]

Too late??

[@daviddyer2607]

To do some this good is not a DIY job, it is a job you pay bloody good tradesmen to do.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Yes indeed. Don’t advise this for the amateur

[@geraldopimenta4141]

Good job! Was the craft oil natural color?

[@Mevmotto]

Hi I want to sand and seal my staircase keeping it natural wood with matt finish. Can you please advise.

[@DARKOvibrations]

Sand them, then use a natural finish lol

[@christiandutton2407]

Can I get some advice please? My engineered oak flooring is in decent condition but has a lot of dirt stuck in the brushed effect and I’m finding it really hard to remove.. is there something I can do or will I have to sand ? Thanks

[@DARKOvibrations]

Try buffing some ph neutral wood floor cleaner in

[@carlnikolov]

So you oil a floor and put lacquer ontop if youre not doing polyurethane? Is it better for the wood to oil the floor?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

The lacquer on top is polyurethane. It’s a rare occasion to use oil under lacquer. I did it to try and get an enhanced natural look. It’s not better and I don’t really recommend it for DIYers

[@carlnikolov]

@@HowToSandAFloor thanks for your reply. So oiling isnt necessary? I just thought maybe it helps with creaky floorboards? :-) not sure. So you would recommend a beginner like me simply stain and clear polyurethane? Thanks for your videos :-)

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Carl N I never recommend beginners again tbh. Getting stain right as a newbie is virtually impossible. Just go for clear lacquer in my opinion. But if you have made up your mind and won’t listen to me (which is 100% of people) then yes stain and lacquer

[@carlnikolov]

@@HowToSandAFloor ill definitely take your advice. Cheers from Canada :-)

[@samj5581]

Do you Buff your finish after refinishing ? if not , how can you get the shiny look without buffing or waxing ?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Lacquers are naturally glossy. If you buy semi gloss or matte finish, these finishes have had a matting agent added to them to give them that matte appearance.

[@samj5581]

@@HowToSandAFloor thanks

[@samj5581]

@@HowToSandAFloor So you dont use Polyurethane products for refinishing ?

[@jowike17]

Great video! How long in between the first and second coat of bona traffic HD

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Josh Wike about an hour and a half depending on conditions

[@jowike17]

@@HowToSandAFloor Thanks for the quick response. Do you have brand of buffing pad that you prefer?

[@Mrgoodguy865]

Hey Ben I just subscribed. I love your videos. I am going into the business so ypur videos are great. I install epoxy floors at the moment and we abrade and apply urethane top coats for protection as well, do you think the Bona HD would top coat the epoxy once we abrade ? Just asking

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Hi Dirk, unfortunately I have no idea. I would shoot an email to bona

[@2010GT500]

Ever heard of a lambs wool?

[@DARKOvibrations]

Course he has

[@modbod75]

Excuse my ignorance but with this finish does the floor feel slippery to walk on?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

a little bit. it is a very smooth surface, you can get a higher slip resistance to go over the top

[@modbod75]

@@HowToSandAFloor thanks for the reply and hope you and your family are well, I'm going to be sanding and finishing some reclaimed oak parquet flooring soon and struggling to work out what finish to put on it but the name bona hd has come up a few time

[@chess_is_a_vibe]

Anyone know of any books or other resources that has detailed knowledge and info that customers would like to know before you sand their floor?

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Write your own. It will help to sell you

[@chess_is_a_vibe]

How To Sand A Floor Fair point I suppose. Thanks for responding.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

Hey I have a question. I have a Full thickness hardwood floor on a commercial piece of property that I own. Obviously it needs sanding but I know I’m not going to be able to sell it with the way things are right now so I have basically unlimited time. What’s the stop me from simply removing each piece of the hardwood floor individually, Then sanding them all, then replacing them, and then sealing them. In other words, why do I have to keep the floor on the floor to sand it. I’ve already removed the floor in a small closet, it seemed quite easy. What’s the flaw in my plan? By the way great channel

[@DARKOvibrations]

Nick Semertzides the flaw is that you wont sand the whole floor as constantly flat. Its a bad idea dude. It will take a long time and if it was easier or better to do it that way, pro’s would do it.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

DARKO i wasnt going to sand it. I was going to run it through a thickness planer.

[@DARKOvibrations]

Nick Semertzides still really long winded and you may find it doesnt go back together ss easy as you hope. How much was you intending to plane off?

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

DARKO maybe 1/32 or at most 1/16”.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

DARKO I remove just one closet‘s worth of hardwood flooring to try this plan on. Worst case scenario is I have to replace it but that still just like one package worth of hardwood, I figure maybe 100 bucks. But I got unlimited time, and people do reclaim flooring all the time. Which is essentially would ship but I’d be doing now, except I’m just going to reclaim it by putting it back on the original floor.I still haven’t decided if I’m going to seal the individual planks before or after I reinstall them

[@dannyboyo]

Hi. We have parquet flooring but it is a very soft wood. I can't tell you the exact type of wood i'm sorry. I sanded and varnished the wood 2 years ago. 3 coats of varnish. The wood is so soft that it gets scratched and dented very easily. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Unfortunately there’s not much you. Can do about it, you do rely on the hardness of the wood quite a lot

[@denisconor648]

No shoes allowed anymore.

[@acropolisnow9466]

Get some kneepads geez!

[@HowToSandAFloor]

The knee pads always get covered in all sorts, I don’t want that rubbing all over the floor when I’m applying finish.

[@acropolisnow9466]

@@HowToSandAFloor Yeah fair, absolute killer not wearing them though. Notice it every time these days.

[@williardpienus8014]

Why have such beautiful floors and such awful decor?

[@carforumwanker]

You will look back and wish your had worn knee pads !

[@HowToSandAFloor]

Hehe, I usually do. I have very expensive ones, they’re great! My weight is causing problems though lol

[@simpletonballsack]

The video seems to focus on movement and when your arse touched the bench its focus stayed on the bench when you moved away.

[@OnceWereWarriors1]

Nice job👌

[@robertsaca3512]

Use manual focus, focus on the floor and that way you won't have the horrible jitters. Whatever the camera, it seems like it's either a small sensor or the lens is slow, both are good in the sense that you have enough dip to field, we're focusing on the floor will be no problem.

[@EastWindCommunity1973]

Hi Ben, love your content and tips. I just tried to buy your $37 book from your website, but it said my card was declined. Just used the card on Amazon and it is working otherwise. Would love to support you and get that book, let me know if there are any other options!! A physical copy is preferred, but couldn't find one. Thanks

[@WWCLife]

Beautiful! Wish I got you to fit my parquet. The “specialist” we hired didn’t level the floor. Now we have air pockets, a few cracks between sections, streaky oil sections and overall... a badly laid floor. It’s just over 1 year old now... luckily I’ve learnt to live with it. Maybe we can restore it? God knows. Either way - great video.

[@evsnova74]

The dumbass camera focused on the counter top when you backed up while buffing. I hate when they don't focus on what's in the middle of the shot. Good ol rolling. Btw Ben, I got a go pro and I've been making a crapload of videos lately, maybe I'll do a tbarring video for ya finally. The only thing is we don't tbar that often lately because it puts so much product down in the gaps. Anyway looks amazing man

[@HowToSandAFloor]

It seems everyone is dropping the T Bar for the roller these days!

[@Lisa-TheSterlingCritic]

Very Nice!!!