How to Sand Wooden Floors Between Stain and Finish Coats

When refinishing hardwood floors, sanding between coats of stain or finish is the step that ensures a professional, smooth result. Skipping it can leave rough patches, dust nibs, or uneven shine. Here’s the complete guide to sanding floors between coats for a flawless finish.

Why Sand Between Coats?

Each coat of stain or polyurethane raises the grain and may trap dust. Light sanding smooths imperfections, improves adhesion, and creates a silky surface. Without it, the final finish may look rough or wear unevenly.

Tools You’ll Need

• Floor buffer or pole sander
• 9x11 in sandpaper sheets (wet or dry use)
• Sanding screens (optional for large floors)
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Protective gear: respirator, goggles

Best Grit Sequence for Floors Between Coats

• 220 grit: Standard grit for sanding between coats of stain or polyurethane.
• 320 grit: For smoothing later coats of finish.
• 400 grit: For ultra-smooth, glossy finishes before final coat.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Floors Between Coats

1. Let coat dry. Allow stain or polyurethane to cure fully (usually 12–24 hours).
2. Start with 220 grit. Use 220 grit (100-pack) for the first sanding pass.
3. Refine with 320 grit. For later coats, switch to 320 grit (25-pack) for extra smoothness.
4. Optional 400 grit. Use 400 grit (50-pack) for the final sanding before the last coat.
5. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum dust and wipe with a tack cloth before recoating.
6. Apply next coat. Use an applicator pad or brush for even coverage.

Special Cases

For water-based finishes, sanding between coats is critical since these raise the grain more than oil-based finishes. For darker stains, be extra gentle to avoid sanding through color layers.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain of the wood.
• Use very light pressure—just enough to dull the sheen.
• Change sheets frequently—clogged sandpaper scratches floors.

Aftercare

• Allow the final coat to cure fully (up to 7 days) before heavy traffic.
• Protect floors with rugs and felt pads on furniture.
• Clean with hardwood-safe products only.

FAQs

• Do I need to sand after every coat? Yes—except the last one, which should remain untouched.
• What grit before the final coat? 320–400 grit for the smoothest result.
• Can I use a sanding screen instead of paper? Yes—screens are excellent for large areas but sandpaper sheets are better for edges and detail work.

Watch & Learn

For flawless hardwood refinishing, use eQualle’s 9x11 in sandpaper sheets, designed for wet or dry use. Available in 25, 50, and 100 packs. Shop sanding sheets here.