- 1). Ventilate your workspace and wear a respirator to avoid inhaling sawdust or chemicals. Sand the antique floorboards with a 100 grit sanding sponge to remove the existing finish. Dirt, nicks and scratches are also smoothed out in the process.
- 2). Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove the sawdust. Wipe the floorboards with a tack cloth to ensure that all traces of dust have been removed.
- 3). Stir the can of wood stain using a stirring stick. Saturate the antique wood with a single coat, using brush strokes that follow the grain. Quickly wipe any excess with a painter's rag and allow the stain to dry overnight.
- 4). Brush a sanding sealer over the floor in the direction of the wood grain. Wait for the coat to air-dry, then sand it with a 280 grit sanding sponge until the wood is uniformly dull.
- 5). Treat the antique floor with a polyurethane wood varnish to seal its newly restored condition; the finish preserves the wood's appearance while providing long-lasting protection. Apply the varnish with a painter's rag or foam brush, again following the grain of the wood.
- 6). Use the 280 grit sponge to sand the first coat of varnish after allowing it to cure overnight. Apply 1 to 2 more applications using the same method, making sure to sand in between each coat. A thick finish more effectively seals moisture in the wood to prevent future damage.
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