I decided to register, and get some pointers for my first refinish job. I am a resonably handy guy but have never refinished a floor. I have removed carpet, tack strips, staples from a 10 x 12 bedroom floor. The floor is dull, but in decent shape, other than a couple pet stains(?) that are not very big and do not seem a serious problem. I plan to use a U Sand machine, willing to give up the speed of drum sander, for ease of use. The floor just does not look like it will take alot to get it down to clean wood. Here is my thought..... and please feel free to make other recomendations.

1. sand completely.....any reason to go beyond 120 grit? vac
2. Finish with oil based polyurethane (to get the "amber" effect) that the hallway to the bedroom has. Plus I like the look.
*Is it best with 3 coats?....and would no sealer be needed?
*Brand recommendation...... easily purchased and where...Home Depot, Menards, other supplier (Minneapolis area)
*Plan to use dry wall pole sander since I will have returned the sander, What grit for this step? Any better methods?
I would be willing to buy a half sheet sander (I have a 1/4 sheet sander) if this would make between coat sanding
go faster/better. Or will the pole sander make quick work of what needs to be done?
3. Any recommendations on what to use to apply the finish? Roller, brush, some type of pad?
4. Any tips for keeping the "crusties" at a minimum on the last coat of finish ?

THANKS FOR THE HELP

A U-sand should work for you if the finish looks like it will come off easily. I would start with probably a 60 grit screen and then go over with an 80, then a 100. You may need to also use a palm sander in certain areas. For this I would use only a 60 grit paper. It sounds like it is rough, but 60 is what to use, it will remove finish yet not leave sanding marks.

2. It is best to use 3 coatings at least. An easily purchased brand of finish in the minneapolis area is Parks Pro Finisher. They have it at all Home Depot locations. I would use this brands sanding sealer also found at Home Depot in the paint dept. After sanding sealer apply a coating of the oil based finish, let dry, lightly sand with pole sander as you suggested with a 150 grit screen, vacuum, wipe down floor with mineral spirits, let dry, and apply final coating.

3. You can find 9" deck pads also at home depot these work well for both sealer and finish. Use a different pad for sealing and finishing.

4. Wait until coating is throughly dried before buffing and wipe down well with a micro fiber dust mop that has been dampened with mineral spirits.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions. Always glad to help a fellow Minnesotan.