A full sand-down is a restorative process that removes a portion of the floor's thickness to erase deep scratches, stains, or worn finishes. This is necessary when the floor’s protective barrier is compromised, exposing the raw wood to potential moisture and damage. Because each sanding removes a layer of wood, there is a physical limit to how many times a solid wood floor can be sanded. Always assess the remaining wear layer before deciding to sand to ensure sufficient thickness remains.
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When is it time to sand down to raw wood?
You should sand down to raw wood when the existing finish has worn through to the bare wood, or when you wish to change the stain color of the floor. Additionally, deep surface damage that exceeds the depth of the current finish necessitates full sanding.