How to Fix a Burned Wood Floor From an Alcohol Fire

Remove any furniture or other materials from the floor. Sweep the floor clean of any abrasive debris. This is important for the floor and your safety. If a stone or piece of hard debris is caught up in the sander, it could be kicked up at you.

Sand the floor with an orbital sander fitted with a 100-grit sanding pad. Do not focus on only the damaged area. This makes your floor uneven. Sand the entire floor until the wood is bare and no scorch marks remain.

Sweep up the bulk of the dust. You don't have to get rid of all of it, just get as much as you can with a push broom. Sand the floor again with a 220-grit sanding pad.

Sweep up the dust from the second sanding. This time, remove all of the dust. Wipe the floor down with a damp cloth, and then allow it to dry. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove all of the dust.

Stain the floor with wood stain and a roller or sprayer. Start with the corners and edges. Do this portion with a brush or rag. Always work with the wood’s grain. Work in sections and wipe the wood with a clean cloth after applying the stain. This absorbs the excess stain and prevents pooling, which leads to problems when sealing the wood.

Apply more stain if desired. Once the stain is completely dry, apply a wood sealer, such as polyurethane. Mix the polyurethane carefully with a paint stirrer. Avoid whipping the liquid, as this creates bubbles that can become trapped in the finish.

Pour some polyurethane on the floor. Spread the polyurethane using full, even strokes with a long-handled foam or lamb's wool applicator. Applying the polyurethane as thinly as possible helps it quickly dry.

Sand the polyurethane very lightly with a piece of 400-grit sandpaper. Do this by hand, not with the powered sander. Wipe the floor down with a damp cloth to collect the dust. Apply up to four more coats of polyurethane using this process.