My first day of gluing down the wood floor was not especially a fun one. The God-awful adhesive was a pain in the ass of epic proportions, BUT... ... peeling the masking tape the next morning revealed a beautiful result. I can't describe just how tight it felt walking on it. I've never installed a laminate or vinyl plank system that was as quiet either. Heck, it's quieter than tile. The result rejuvenated me to attack this part of the project with renewed energy.
I was ready to leap in and start spreading the glue when I realized I had dried, gooshed-out adhesive along the unfinished edge. The mass was a rubbery stripe, was about 2 inches wide, too tall to allow me to slide the next row of tongue and groove into place. So, it was back to hand's and knees scraper work.
I found that his little Kobalt multi-tool widget I picked up at Lowes for about two bucks was the best tool for the job. It had a nice scraper edge and was small enough maneuver without damaging the finished wood edge.
The bottle opener feature came in especially handy later.
I started install process again, by cutting the planks to fit. The coolest parts of this particular remodeling project is that the living room is right next to the garage / AZ DIY Workshop. With the door open, my "economical, but beefy" Miter Saw Workbench is really close.
It was just a quick few steps door to give the board a quick zap with the mighty compound miter saw. These planks are only 5" wide, so a standard 10" miter saw would work fine, but I truly love the big 12" sliding beast.
I guess I need to work on dust collection
It's odd; just a break in the action and my glue-slopping skills had increased exponentially. I began to hate it a bit less.
That's a laser beam, not a skin condition.
With less mess and better precision, I actually began to enjoy it (despite my aching back and knees).
Gratuitous boot shot.
Little tricks made it better. I moved around on my knees, without using my hands on the floor, thus keeping stray glue off my gloves. I came up with a little better method of laying boards down to avoid spatter and squeeze out. I got a better feel for troweling the adhesive from the bucket. Experience began to sink in and I simply got better at it. With that my speed picked up.
I think I'm actually humming a merry tune here.
I got a little nervous as I approached the bottom of the adhesive bucket. It was getting a wee bit shallow. I didn't want to skimp on coverage, but I also didn't want to have to buy another pail, at the heart-stopping, curl up in a fetal position rather than tell the wife, price of nearly $200. (Which I'd much rather spend on one of these beauties!)
"Pour some urethane adhesive on meeeee... "
- Def Leopard (?)
It was close, but I finished the spread with about 3" left in the bottom of the bucket. I'd done 160 sq. ft. with it. Instructions said it could range as high as 200 sq. ft. for the pail, so I think I did good on my application rate.
The last row went in like a dream, piece after piece just barely sliding under the edge of the drywall. Until the last freaking piece!!
Some moron had missed a finish nail when pulling the base molding. It blocked the plank from going in. I had a now adhesive covered plank to contend with while I fished my handy Swiss Multi-Tool's pliers out and yanked the now adhesive covered nail from the wall, like a rotten tooth.
Yes. I used language unfitting for a father of young children. Loudly. Repeatedly.
Seriously?! Who left this damn nail here? What kind of idiot...?
Luckily, no little ears perked up at my string of cursing. They were worlds away, crafting adventures and kingdoms, playing Minecraft in the family room. I cleaned up the drips and scrubbed the sticky gunk out of my arm hair.
Stupid nail.
Done.
Done with the sticky, urethane adhesive. Done with the mineral spirits and Goof Off. Done with the trowel (I threw it away, rather than clean in again). Take one last look at Jabba the Hutt here, before I stick him outside to dry out.
"Ah, chicaboog noon-eeg Solo. Tah keeng sa leeng ah pak mugglah, peeska chatah: may now kung bantha poodoo!"
- Jabba the Hutt
It was all worth it. That adhesive wasn't so bad, was it? I'd do it again,... probably,... maybe.
Check out the aged, distressed look of the planks. I have half a box of left to tuck away in the attic, hopefully to never be needed again for repairs.
Not worried about scratching this floor. Next time, I'm installing trim. Power tools and sawdust baby!