Does old stain need to be completely removed from wood floors before restaining?

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I just pulled the carpet out of one of my upstairs bedrooms and decided to refinish the floors myself. I started sanding the floors but in some areas the stain is really difficult to get off. I was wondering if all the stain needs to be removed entirely before I attempt the restaining process. My fiancee believes the floors just need to be scuffed up a bit (so the stain will have something to adhere to)… but I want to be sure before I start the work on it as I’d hate to end up ruining them! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks.

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  1. nikomat77 says:
    September 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    If you want it to look good rent a sander and take all the old finish and stain off and flatten the floor, feather in the edges with either a edger that you can rent but is tricky to use if you haven’t used one before or use a random orbit sander start with a 40grit paper and then 100, then 150. rent a buffer next with 100grit, 150grit, 200 0r 220grit screens and buff the entire floor with 100,150, 200grit screens, sweep it, vacuum it then clean it with tack clothes, apply stain if desired (the finish itself will darken the floor)allow to dry and clean the floor. apply sealer coat, allow to dry for at least 72 hrs then buff again with a 220grit screen to remove any dust or debris in the sealer coat, sweep, vacuum and tack cloth again, and tack cloth twice this time making sure that any debris is removed. apply finish coat. If the floor is old or a soft wood like pine, fir or hickory you will need to use a stain conditioner or wood conditioner such as Benoite before you stain. I bet he thought this was going to be a small easy project. good luck.

  2. billwarner32 says:
    September 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    it depends on if the new stain is darker or the same as the old one,in either case all the shiny should be removed before doing the new stain.Good luck, that’s always a fun job

  3. oldfart says:
    September 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    bill was right but i will add this the stain left on the floor will leave a dark spot weather you re stain the same colour or not.

  4. poolhottieteffie says:
    September 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    You should take the floors back to bare wood before you restain. Not taking off all the old stain means your new colour won’t come out exact, because of the old colour underneath. The bottom layer could also peel, causing your new stain to come with it. If you use a latex based stain this time, and the old stain was oil (it most likely is) the latex will peel right off. You can rent a floor sander from a good diy hardware store, they have a vaccuum attachment that takes up the dust, and makes sanding much easier! Tape off the doors and wear a mask though.

  5. lighthouse_lover92 says:
    September 4, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    I’m in the process of re-doing mine the second time. The answer is yes, you have to get all of the old stain/varnish off before refinishing. Try a commercial brand varnish stripper on the bad spot. You are going to want to make sure that the sanding you have done is even over the entire surface. If it isn’t you will have funky looking spots on the newly stained/varnished floor. I let my husband do ours by himself the first time and he did exactly what your fiance is telling you and it needs re-done…. I hope this helps and Good Luck!!! Also once you have finished the floor make sure to protect it by putting felt on the bottoms of all your furniture legs. If you don’t they will scratch your new floor!! Once again Good Luck!!!!

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