There are actually two levels of hardwood floor refinishing. First, you could apply a protective finish to the entire floor. You then sand down the floor with a grit sandpaper and apply a protective finish on the remaining surface. This process is called sanding and polishing, but it does not use both steps, instead each level is performed separately.
The first step of hardwood floor refinishing is sanding. Sanding the entire floor will remove any dirt and scratches, and even the small scratch marks from tools. However, do not sand too deep, as this could cause warping. If there are scratches and dents in the floor, sand with a fine grit sandpaper to remove them. Next, wipe down the floor with a wax, and use a polisher to finish. Be careful to do this at a slow pace, as too much sanding or polishing could actually warp the wood.
Another type of refinishing is called buffing. This is a second level of refinishing and is not usually done when the initial coat is done. The purpose of buffing the floor is to remove the excess shine left over from the original coat.
To buff the floor, use a soft cloth for the first stage, and then a buffing pad on the second. Buff off any scratches, dents, or other imperfections. For the third stage, use a polisher to seal the finish. Again, be careful to do this at a slow pace so that excess sanding and polishing do not occur. When done properly, buffing and polishing will leave the floor looking like new.
If your floor is extremely dirty, the best thing to do is clean it first. For this purpose, you may need to hire a professional flooring service provider and if your from Charlotte NC you may consider NC Flooring. Cleaning the floor will remove any dirt that has been embedded in the floor. Make sure to get the dirt out of the boards and nails before you buff. The wax is applied to seal the flooring.
Once the floor is cleaned and dried, it is time to apply the refinish. For this, you must use the polisher to rub the finish all the way to the baseboards and under the floor and polish it down.
To complete your hardwood flooring refinishing, sand the floor with the buffing pad until you get the desired finish. Polish it again using a buffing pad to seal. Then, apply the wax and finish with a polisher. If you want a gloss finish, use a light coat, and then use the same process for a satin finish.
When finished, your hardwood floor can look new again. Your floors will last much longer than without refinishing, so it is a good investment.