Hi,

I am a homeowner with about 1,000 sf of unfinished, handscraped white oak floor in my newly remodeled home (a total gut project). The original contractor who we wanted to hire to finish this is not available. We installed it ourselves, but I'm not sure we want to tackle the finish. 1000 sf is a lot to screw up.

We are having a hard time finding someone to finish this, so I am very concerned that *I* know what needs to be done so I can spot a contractor who does not know what he's doing. The original contractor said he would hand sand it and finish it, but I'd like more details about the steps and products, from a professional's perspective.

If we can't get someone out, we might have to DIY this. I'm not as incompetent as I sound here. . .we just don't have experience with the handscraped floors (or know anyone who does). So, I might need more details later.

TIA,
AJ

If I were you I would let the finishers here know your location and maybe they could recommend someone. Or go to http://floormasters.com/flooring-pros/viewforum.php?f=1 and ask there.

This is going to be challenging. IF the milling on the flooring isn't excellent , you will get high and low butt joints. If so, then you have to do some sanding. If you sand too much, you will sand out the hand scraped character. If you don't have issues with over and under wood (high and low butt joints) you might be able to use a square buffer with something like 100 grit abrasive under it.

Otherwise, sanding by hand is a good idea if you don't mind spending 3 or 4 days crawling on the floor.

I am not a finish guy but to me sanding and scraping just don't jell. It's either one or the other as far as a new unfinished job goes. Certainly there will be those "ledges" along some planks, it's just logic.

Have you thought of hand sanding @ 100 grit and using a all natural finish like Rubio Monocoat instead of those plastic finishes? Rubio and white oak work excellent together.

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