Prepping French Parquet Borders: Avoiding Round-Overs

French parquet flooring features intricate geometric borders that highlight craftsmanship. But sanding these borders is risky—over-aggressive sanding can round over the sharp points and edges, ruining the crisp look. With the right tools and grit sequence, you can prep parquet borders for finishing while preserving their sharp detail.

Why Parquet Borders Need Careful Sanding

Unlike wide floor planks, parquet borders often run at angles and meet in sharp points. Standard drum sanders can easily flatten these details, while orbital sanders may leave swirl marks. Controlled hand sanding and proper grit selection protect the design while ensuring finish adhesion.

Tools You’ll Need

• Random orbital sander with fine control
• Detail sander or sanding block for points
• Sharp cabinet scraper (optional for delicate edges)
• Pencil for scratch tracking
• Vacuum and tack cloth

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 100 grit: Initial smoothing of border seams.
• 150 grit: Refining points and blending surfaces.
• 220 grit: Final pass for finish-ready borders.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Mark borders. Identify all parquet edges and points that require hand sanding.
2. Start with medium grit. Use 100 grit (50-pack) on a sanding block to smooth without overcutting.
3. Refine with finer grit. Switch to 150 grit (100-pack) for feathering seams and removing cross scratches.
4. Finish sanding. Hand sand delicate points with 220 grit (25-pack) to prepare for stain or clear finish.
5. Check under light. Use raking light to spot round-overs or scratch marks before finishing.
6. Clean carefully. Vacuum dust from all joints and wipe with tack cloth before sealing.

Special Cases

If parquet borders are veneered, avoid coarse grits below 100 to prevent sanding through the thin surface. For antique parquet, consider scraping instead of sanding to preserve patina and minimize material removal.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain direction of each parquet piece, even if it means changing angles frequently.
• Work slowly around points—rushing causes round-overs.
• Mask off adjacent planks if using aggressive sanding to protect designs.
• Feather strokes beyond the border into the main floor for seamless blending.

Aftercare

• Inspect borders annually for wear—touch up with 220 grit before recoating.
• Keep finishes fresh with periodic recoats to protect delicate points.
• Use area rugs in high-traffic areas to reduce wear on detailed parquet edges.

FAQs

• Can I use a drum sander on parquet borders? No—hand sanding or orbitals are safer for preserving detail.
• What if I round over points accidentally? Sharpen edges with a scraper before refinishing.
• Do I need to sand to 220 grit? For clear finishes, yes. For paint or opaque stains, 150 grit is sufficient.

Watch & Learn

By sanding French parquet borders carefully, you’ll preserve their crisp geometry and highlight their elegance under stain or clear finishes—achieving a floor that looks refined and professional.