Refinish a Wooden Floor in a Weekend (UK Drum Sander Guide)

What you need

• Drum floor sander (the main machine) — £30–£45/day on DIY Toolshare
• Edging sander (essential — the drum cannot reach skirting edges) — £20–£30/day
• Sandpaper in 40, 80 and 120 grit — budget £30–£50 in paper for a typical room
• Sealer / floor finish (Bona, Ronseal, Osmo, Liberon) — £40–£80 for 2.5L
• Dust masks, ear defenders, knee pads
• Nail punch and hammer

Day 1: Prep and rough sanding

1. Clear the room completely. Remove radiators if possible (it saves sanding behind them badly).
2. Walk the floor. Find every raised nail and punch it 2–3mm below the surface. A nail head versus a 40-grit belt = belt destroyed in 5 seconds.
3. Fill deep gouges with a colour-matched wood filler. Skip hairline splits — they look intentional after finishing.
4. Load 40-grit paper on the drum sander. First pass diagonally across the grain at ~45°. This levels cupped boards.
5. Second pass at 40-grit with the grain.
6. Use the edging sander (40 grit) for the 10cm strip the drum could not reach. This is slow, dusty work — accept it.
7. Vacuum thoroughly before the next grit.

Day 2: Fine sanding and finish

1. Drum sander, 80 grit, with the grain. Two passes.
2. Edger, 80 grit, around the perimeter.
3. Vacuum everything, including the walls (dust settles).
4. Drum sander, 120 grit, with the grain. One or two passes depending on feel.
5. Edger, 120 grit, perimeter.
6. Vacuum again, then wipe the floor with a slightly damp microfibre to lift the finest dust. Let fully dry.
7. Apply first coat of sealer with a lambswool applicator. Follow the grain. Water-based finishes dry in 2–3 hours; oils take 12–24.
8. Lightly key the floor with 180 grit between coats (a maroon sanding pad on the edger works well).
9. Apply second coat. Third coat for high-traffic areas.

The mistakes

• Skipping grits (40 → 120 without 80). You will see scratches under the finish forever.
• Standing still with the drum sander running. Gouges that take another 40-grit pass to remove.
• Not punching nails. Instant belt destruction and a £2 paper ruined.
• Rushing the finish. Dust nibs in the first coat = cloudy floor. Vacuum twice, wipe once.