"Ray" wrote in message

About 10 years ago we had our floors -- some hardwood
some pine -- finished with polyurethane.

They are beginning to get dull. Could I just give the
floors a light sanding, then put on one or more new coats?

The purpose of sanding is to create small imperfections so that the new coat
has more surface to grab. The fact that your floors are getting dull means
they are already scratched up from foot traffic. Are they scratched up
enough so that you don't need to sand? Probably but I can't see your
floors.

Another option (to sanding) is trisodium phosphate...it cleans well and
de-glosses.

FWIW, all our floors are Saltillo tile topcoated with polyurethane varnish.
The poly lasts quite well but eventually high traffic areas need recoating.
I don't sand.

I'm not sure whether oil or water-based polyurethane was
used initially. Does it matter in terms of the new coat?

Not for adhesion. The water base won't impart the slightly yellow tint of
oil base but it is less durable.

--

dadiOH
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