Revarnishing wooden floorboards

[GreyishDays]

Google isn’t helping. Maybe I need some different words!

We have wooden floorboards which were sanded and varnished three years ago. Some bits are grubby and looking like the varnish has worn away. What’s the process for sorting it out? Wash it a bit, sand then varnish?

Many years ago I decided to vanish my floor boards , I hired a big floor sander a bit like this www.nationaltoolhireshops.co.uk/floor-sander-hire/Manchester/

It took a lot of doing but I was very happy with the results , i used a recommended floor vanish but like you have found it starts to wear and look grubby so I re did the worn parts , the problem was the new and old vanish did not match even though I know for sure it was the same brand / finish .
I ended up doing the whole floor about a month later as the two different colours were annoying me . The second time round I used yacht vanish , and it lasted for around 5 years to my knowledge it could still be fine now as I moved out while it was like that .

I guess it depends where the worn bits are and how noticeable a line would be , mine was at the door and the sun shone on it for at least half of the day in the summer .

If you do redo the whole lot save some of the clean sawdust and use it mixed with varnish and use it to fill gaps in the floorboards and where there and knots in the wood .

Yacht vanish is more expensive and has a very high voc and it takes longer to dry ( not really selling here am I ) But it was worth the effort and the smell .

I think this is the one I used
www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-clear-satin-exterior-yacht-varnish-750ml/p/0289159 ,

Dont use a gloss one as any scratches will show up easier

Please use a good quality dust mask and good paint mask as it is hard on the lungs ! I even left my old tub vac running constantly without all its pipes / tubes on to try to keep the dust down

Ah that’s really useful. Thanks.

Actually we may be ok for new/old difference because the worn bit is where the rug isn’t covering it.

ah , you may be able to get away with just doing the worn bit then , I would still recommend yacht varnish , its tough stuff