Water-Based Polyurethane vs Oil-based

[fernicarry]

I only went to 120 grit on my boards. I did give them a thorough scrub with wire wool and meths which would have been equivalent to a finer grade but that was for the purposes of getting them perfectly clean not because they weren't smooth enough.

I think the scratches you are referring to are from one of those hire machines that are generally used at an angle across the boards. Looks like the result of quite a coarse paper to me. As @Cubist says you'll still see those after the finish is applied. 180 might take them off but it'll be a slow business. No harm in trying it first and if its too slow go down to 120 or even 80. Careful not to remove too much material in any one area.

 

[Cubist]

Without knowing what grade you previously used it's hard to say. Best I can suggest is you try at least one grade step below the last one you used on those boards. Monitor the performance of that grades use to verify it is aggressive/fine enough for your aims.

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Thank you both! I’ll try this out then and the water trick. Thank fully this is the only room thd previous owners wrecked with respect to the floorboards. Hopefully I can fix this