Hi there,
I have Douglas Fir floors that were originally finished using a multistep process. Before the planks were installed, they were treated with caustic soda and then neutralized with hydrogen peroxide to bleach the wood. Then they were intalled, brushed with steel wool and then treated with a stain and then polyurathaned. I need to refinish them because the previous owners of the house let certain parts of the flooring get very bad. Some areas are totally stripped bare and darkened. I want to refinish it the same way it was done originally, but I am worried about putting caustic soda on floors that are installed. I'm concerned that some of the caustic soda will get under the flooring and then will not get properly neutralized with the hydrogen peroxide. Is there a way to apply the caustic soda so that I will not get any of it in between the planks, or should I just steer clear of this all together. Or am I worrying too much about this. Anyone have experience with something like this?