Question:
I have an old hardwood floor that I need to refinish. The sides have been poly’d but the middle is unfinished. I’m trying to avoid sanding because my children have asthma. Any suggestions on a product that would do the same as sanding?
Answer:
Dear Melissa
No, sorry not really. You won’t be able to imitate an old aged finish in the middle, and it will stick out like a sore thumb for years. Best to bite the bullet and sand the whole floor and finish it with 3 coats of an oil modified polyurethane like Fabulon (no lacquer sealers please). Or if you want to try a fairly safe (but new) water based finish read my article on the Dura Seal 1000 available in the search box at the top of this web page.
Make sure you hire a pro for the sanding, but you could do the finish yourself.
I don’t think you will get very even results but chemical stripping may be worthwhile. Please read my article on this subject also found in the available in the search box at the top of this web page.