How to Restore Tongue and Groove Cedar Flooring

Cedar flooring is not quite as durable as oak or other hardwoods, but is finished in the same way: with wood stain, topped with clear gloss, either polyurethane or varnish. Avoid sanding down into the cedar floor when it starts to look dingy and worn, as the floor may not be able to endure. A better solution is to “screen” the floor, which merely takes off the top layer of gloss -- without digging into the wood -- so you can add new polyurethane for a fresh appearance.

Floor buffer
Floor screening pads in rough, medium and fine grit abrasion
Vacuum cleaner
Tack cloths
Polyurethane
Paintbrush
Extra-fine sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Set up the rented buffer with a rough refinishing screen. Run the buffer over the cedar flooring in the direction of the floor boards, using a forward-and-back motion with the machine to remove most of the gloss finish.
- 2
  Vacuum the dust.
- 3
  Load the medium screening pad onto the buffer. Screen it as before, removing the last of the gloss. Vacuum the dust.
- 4
  Screen the floor a third time with the fine screen, making the surface it smooth and flat. Vacuum well. Wipe up the floor with dry tack cloths to remove any residual dust.
- 5
  Spread polyurethane onto the cedar boards with a brush, starting at the far corner of the room from the entrance. Brush it on in the direction of the floorboards, keeping the gloss thin and smooth and avoiding the formation of bubbles. Cover the whole floor.
- 6
  Let the polyurethane set for six hours. Sand it by hand, lightly, using extra fine sandpaper. Wipe up the dust with tack cloths.
- 7
  Apply the second coat of polyurethane in the same manner as the first, in a smooth, thin coat. Let it dry. Buff it by hand. Wipe up the dust with tack cloths.
- 8
  Brush on a third coat of polyurethane. Let it set for 24 hours.

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