Floor Sanding Bedminster Project Brief
This week’s floor sanding Bedminster project took us to a charming Victorian terraced property in Bristol. Like many homes from this era, the house featured original pine floorboards throughout. The homeowner had recently redecorated their 12 sqm bedroom and wanted the tired old pine flooring to match the lighter, fresher feel of the rest of the space.
The goal was simple but impactful: restore the natural beauty of the original floorboards, tone down the typical orange hue of aged pine, and finish with a durable, light-toned lacquer.
Client Expectations
Our client wanted to preserve the character of the Victorian flooring but was eager to move away from the dark, worn, and orange-toned finish that had developed over time. Key requests included:
A lighter, more natural look without staining
No colour alteration, just brightening the wood
A durable, matte lacquer finish for long-term protection
Smooth, level surface throughout
This project didn’t require gap filling or repairs, which made it a straightforward but still detail-oriented restoration process.
Floor Sanding Bedminster Process
Preparation and Initial Sanding
As always with any floor sanding job, the first step was preparing the site. With all equipment carried upstairs and the room cleared, I began sanding the floorboards with a coarse 40-grit paper using the Hummel sander. This removed years of grime, worn lacquer, and any unevenness in the boards. I worked methodically across the room, ensuring consistent pressure to avoid leaving sanding marks.
Edges were tackled with a matching 40-grit on the edger, particularly around corners and along the skirting where the Hummel couldn’t reach. This was the most time-intensive part of the job, given the need to preserve the wood’s natural character while achieving a clean, even surface.
Progressing Through the Grits
Once the coarse sanding was complete, I progressed through finer grits:
80-grit on both the Hummel and edger to begin closing the wood grain
120-grit to refine the surface and eliminate any remaining sanding marks
As part of the edge finishing process, I saved the final 120-grit edging pass until the end to ensure a seamless blend with the body of the floor.
Flexi Sanding and Final Detailing
With the main sanding complete, I used the FlexiSand machine with 100-grit and then 120-grit abrasives to unify the floor surface. This step is critical in achieving a buttery-smooth finish that’s ready to accept lacquer.
Before the final sanding run, I filled any visible end-grain board joins and a couple of historic radiator holes with colour-matched filler. These subtle fixes helped create a flowing, continuous look without disrupting the original charm of the floorboards.
Lacquer Application
By mid-afternoon, the floor was hoovered thoroughly and ready for finishing. I applied the first coat of water-based matte lacquer carefully, working board by board with a roller and paintbrush for the edges.
Because of the warmer spring temperatures, I mixed in a small amount of water to the lacquer. This slows drying slightly to prevent ‘flash drying’—a condition where the lacquer dries too fast, leading to overlapping lines and an inconsistent sheen.
After the first coat dried, the grain was knocked back gently with a mesh screen to smooth the surface, then hoovered clean. A second, thinner coat of lacquer was applied to build durability without overloading the surface.
While the second coat dried, I packed away my tools and loaded the van. By 4:30 p.m., the floor was ready for its final coat. This last layer was applied thickly to ensure long-lasting protection and a uniform appearance across the entire space.
Floor Sanding Bedminster Final Result
The finished floor was a dramatic improvement from its original state. The orange hue was softened, and the natural tones of the pine now appeared warm and clean rather than dull and yellow. The three carefully applied coats of lacquer not only enhanced the beauty of the floorboards but also provided a hard-wearing, low-sheen surface ideal for everyday use.
Floor Sanding Bedminster Summary
This floor sanding Bedminster case study highlights just how effective professional sanding and lacquering can be for bringing tired Victorian pine floors back to life. With no repairs needed and minimal disruption, the bedroom was transformed in just one day.
Client Testimonial
I’m so pleased with how the floors turned out. They’re smoother, lighter, and completely refreshed. I had no idea the old pine boards could look this good. The entire process was efficient and very tidy. Highly recommended!
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