Gap filling and minor repairs.
About Us
Our Service
Contact
F.a.q
Tips & Advice
Varnish
Application
Floor Goods online
Staining
Gallery
Disasters
Hard Woods
Wood Issues
Products
Do it yourself
Success stories
Sanding
Filling Gaps
Gapping Trailer
Sand Trailer
Download Info
Download
Demonstration DVD
Environment Issues
Links
Your mail/our reply
Professional floor sanders use different methods to fill the gaps between the floor boards. The method most widely in use is a resin filler mixed with wood dust creating a thick paste that is applied with a spatula. Peter uses this method only where the strip method cannot be used as with parquet floors and wood block. With floor boards , if you aren't too worried about how long you want this filler to last then this method will be ok for you but, and there is a big but, all resin eventually shrinks and with boards, your filler either ends up in the vacuum cleaner dust bag or falls through into the space below the boards, leaving you once again with unsightly black gaps and a lot of draught. If you use this method for boards, use the best quality resin. We use Lecol filler where this method of filling is the only alternative, or with wood block and parquet floors where the filler cannot fall through anyway.
STRIP METHOD FOR BOARDS ONLY
In the case of floor boards, Peter uses a method that involves cutting strips of Hardboard and MDF, which is then glued in the gap, but also sits on the joists, so can't fall through. This method, when done properly, is by far the best, lasts by far the longest and is visually the most pleasing of all finishes to look at.
When applying the strip method:
1. Do not use a conventional hammer to work the strip into the gap. This will damage the strip and board. Our instruction film shows you how to make a simple wooden tool to carry out this operation.
2. Do not use a chisel to work down the raised top of the strip. This will tear the strip and could damage the board.
Which ever method you use, the filling is always done before the sanding as the sanding smoothes and flattens the whole surface ready for the varnish.
If you would like to see a demonstration of the strip method and the resin method you can download a visual demonstration from this site. The demonstration is carried out by Peter. For minor repairs, Lecol and fine sanding dust make a quality filler that will help you achieve a professionally restored finish. The gap filling demonstration costs £5 to download.
An interactive DVD is available with the sanding and gap filling together along with a leaflet of written instructions. price £18.50. Click here to buy the DVD
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A TRAILER
Measuring the depth of your boards? What power tools to use and where to hire them from. Making a simple tool. REPAIRS: How do we make them look as good as Peter does? All this and more. It's all on the film. Sit back and see how it's done.
RESTORED, 300 year old floor using Lecol and the strip method. The colour is original. This floor looked simply beautiful after restoration.
