How to Refinish Wood Veneer Floors

Wood veneer flooring, like engineered hardwood floors, allow you to have wood in your home at a fraction of the price. However, once the finish on wood veneer floors begins to tarnish, they are very difficult to refinish. If you have a warranty on your wood flooring, contact the manufacturer to find out if refinishing the floor will void your warranty.

Keep in mind that engineered hardwood floors have just a thin layer of actual wood over a layer of a cheaper, composite product. If you sand too vigorously, you run the risk of sanding right through the veneer and into the composite. If this occurs, your only option will be to replace the affected areas of flooring.

Step 1: Clean the floor thoroughly with a mop and a solution of wood floor cleaner and water.

Step 2: Remove the existing sealant using a floor buffer fitted with an 80 grit screening disk. Move the buffer across the floor quickly, making sure to remove the high gloss shine from the boards, but not lingering enough to start sanding the actual veneer.

Step 3: Clean the area with a vacuum cleaner and then a quick sweep of a tack cloth to pick up sanding dust.

Step 4: Repeat step 2, this time using 120 grit screening disk. Keep in mind that the purpose of sanding the floor is to remove the sealant only and not affect the wood.

Step 5: Once again, vacuum the floor and remove any remaining dust with a tack cloth. The wood veneer should look like natural, and not sealed, wood.

Step 6: Pour a generous amount of polyurethane on the floor, starting in the area furthest from the entrance to the room. Spread the polyurethane using a gloss applicator.

Step 7: Add more polyurethane, spreading it with the gloss applicator until the entire floor has been coated. Work slowly and carefully to avoid creating bubbles. Focus on applying a similar amount of polyurethane to the entire floor. Allow the polyurethane to dry for 8 hours before proceeding.

Step 8: Buff the surface of the polyurethane with 240 grit sandpaper. Don't use the floor sander for this step. Clean the surface of the floor with a tack cloth.

Step 9: Apply a second coat of polyurethane. Allow this coat to dry for 48 hours before walking on the floor.