Step-by-Step Guide to Using Bona Sanders for Beginners 

Published on 21 May 2026

Posted in Uncategorised

• Prepare the room
• Wear safety gear
• Set up the sander
• Choose starting grit
• Master the technique
• Use the drum lever
• Progress through grits
• Clean between stages
• Sand the edges
• Final prep

A Bona floor sander is one of the most respected tools in the floor-sanding world, trusted by professionals across the UK for its reliability, dust containment, and exceptional finish quality. If you have never used one before, this guide is written specifically for you.

Before You Start: Preparing Your Room and Your Floor

Start by clearing the room completely. All furniture, rugs, and floor coverings must come out. Then, get down close to the floor and inspect it thoroughly. Look for any raised nails or staples and use a nail punch and hammer to knock them below the surface. This step is non-negotiable: a raised nail will shred a sanding belt in seconds and could even become a safety hazard.

Once the floor is clear of obstructions, give it a thorough sweep and vacuum. Remove all loose grit, dust, and debris. Any particles trapped beneath the sanding belt will cause scratches, so do not rush this stage.

Seal the room as best you can. 

Fine sanding dust travels further than you expect, so use dust sheets or tape over door gaps to protect adjoining rooms. Open a window for ventilation, and before you start the machine, put on your PPE: safety glasses, a P2-rated dust mask, and ear defenders. These are not optional extras.

Set Up the Bona Floor Sander

Here is the step-by-step process for setting up the Bona Floor Sander:

• Get familiar with the machine: Before plugging anything in, look over the sander to locate the drum lever, control handle, and dust bag connection point.

• Unplug the sander: Ensure the machine is completely disconnected from the power source before touching any moving parts.

• Open the belt housing: Lift the belt protector, then remove the lock pin from the sander belt plate.

• Check the belt direction: Look at the arrows printed on the inside of the sanding belt. They must point in the same direction that the drum rotates.

• Slide the belt on: Push the sanding belt onto the drum, making sure it is aligned correctly to prevent an uneven finish.

• Lock it in place: Secure the belt plate back down and replace the belt protector.

• Connect the dust bag: Attach the dust extraction bag to its connection point.

• Plug in and start: Plug the machine into the power outlet only when you are entirely ready to begin sanding.

Sanding the Floor: Technique and Grit Progression

The Bona Belt sander operates with a drum that applies significant downward pressure to the floor. If you allow the machine to sit stationary on the floor while it is running, it will gouge the wood. The golden rule is simple: always keep the machine moving.

Here is the step-by-step process for sanding the floor, focusing on correct technique and grit progression:

Technique & Initial Setup

• Start in a hidden spot: Begin in a less visible corner (like behind a door or where a rug will go) to get a feel for the machine’s speed and weight.

• Go with the grain: Always move the sander along the grain of the wood. Sanding across it will leave deep scratches that are incredibly tough to fix.

• Make long, overlapping passes: Walk the sander in steady passes from one side of the room to the other, overlapping each path by about a third for an even finish.

• Master the drum lever: Lift the sanding drum off the floor before you stop moving at the end of a pass, and lower it only after you start walking on the next pass. Never lower it while standing still.

Grit Progression & Cleanup

• First pass (36 or 40 grit): Use this coarse grit to strip away old varnish, paint, or heavy wear and to level out uneven floorboards.

• Second pass (60 grit): Use this medium grit to refine the wood and smooth out the deep scratches left by the first pass.

• Final pass (80 or 100 grit): Use this fine grit to create a completely smooth surface that is ready for your sealer or oil.

• Vacuum between every step: Clean the entire floor thoroughly before switching to a new belt. Any leftover coarse grit can get trapped under the next belt and ruin your smooth finish.

• Sand the edges: Use a dedicated edge sander for the corners and borders the main machine can’t reach, following the same grit sequence (coarse to fine) in controlled sweeping arcs.

Is a Bona Floor Sander Easy for Beginners to Use?

Using a Bona floor sander is genuinely manageable for beginners because the machine is well-balanced, and the drum pressure can be adjusted to suit your confidence level. As long as you keep the machine moving steadily and lower the drum gently onto the floor, you can achieve a professional-quality result without any prior sanding experience.

That said, it is worth treating the machine with respect. The Bona Belt is a powerful piece of kit, and confidence comes from taking it slowly. Do not rush your passes, do not linger in one spot, and always make your first test pass in a low-visibility area of the room. After one or two passes, you will quickly develop a feel for the correct pace and pressure, and the rest of the job becomes far more intuitive.

Which grit sandpaper should I start with for a Bona floor sander?

Floor Condition	Recommended Starting Grit	Action & Purpose
Standard UK Residential Floors • Older boards • Heavy wear, scratches, or unevenness • Coated in varnish, lacquer, or paint	36 or 40 Grit	Start here to efficiently cut through old finishes and level out imperfections without damaging the wood structure.
Good Condition / Light Finish • Boards are already relatively flat • Light wear or thin topcoat • Previously sanded floors	60 Grit	Start here to save yourself a pass. Only skip the coarser grits if the surface is already uniform.

Critical Rule: When in doubt, always start coarser. Skipping grits is a common mistake; each stage is specifically designed to erase the scratch patterns left by the previous belt. Missing a step will leave highly visible marks under your final seal or oil.

Finishing Up: What to Do After Sanding

Once you have completed your final pass with your finest grit, the floor needs a thorough clean before any finish is applied. Vacuum the entire surface carefully, including along the edges and in the corners. Follow up with a slightly damp tack cloth to lift any remaining fine dust particles. Do not apply any finish, oil, or lacquer to a dusty surface.

At this stage, you may also wish to mix your finest sanding dust with a clear wood filler to fill any small gaps between boards before your final light sand. This is an optional but rewarding step that gives the finished floor a much cleaner look.

Your floor is now ready for the finish of your choice, whether that is an oil, a hardwax, or a water-based lacquer.

Ready to Get Started? Hire your equipment from Floor Sander Hire London

Getting great results on a wooden floor starts with the right equipment in your hands. At Floor Sander Hire London, we supply professional-grade Bona floor sanders to homeowners and DIYers across the capital, along with the full range of sanding belts in every grit that you will need. Our machines are maintained to the highest standard and come with clear guidance so you can begin with confidence.

Whether you are sanding a single bedroom or refreshing floorboards across an entire house, hiring a Bona floor sander from us is the most cost-effective and reliable way to get a professional finish on your own terms.

Have a question about your project or not sure which grits you will need? Get in touch with our team, and we will be happy to give you straightforward, practical advice before you book. We know floors, and we are here to make sure yours turns out exactly as you hoped.

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