Restore Weathered Pine Flooring

[mistacandy]

My lhba cabin is not completely finished, and has 2 by 6 pine decking that has been weathered to a very dark gray. The floor was also installed incorrectly with exposed nails and it is also unfinished. Is there a way I can restore the color then sand and finish it? I will be unable to sand that much because of the nails. Any help is greatly appreciated!
I also attached the best picture of the floor I could find.

[rreidnauer]

Unless it's been deeply water-stained, you'll be surprised at how little sanding is required to bring back the natural, new look to that weathered wood. I have pressure-treated picnic tables at work that were weathered black, and they came up looking like brand new wood practically the instant I hit them with an orbital palm sander. You shouldn't need to remove much material, so the nails shouldn't be an issue as long as they aren't protruding now. (BTW, it's not that they were installed incorrectly, just that it was done in a fashion that appeals to some, myself included)
Just give it a quick spot sanding and see what results you get.

[JayK]

I'll agree (again) with Rod on the nails. I'm sure to many, they are great the way they are. If you really don't like them protruding a bit, get yourself to Ace, True Value, Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, or your favorite source for tools, and buy a punch that has a tip about the same size as the nail head. Then get your knee pads, and your hammer and countersink them to the depth of your choice.

[greenthumb]

Is there a 'nail set' bit that fits on a palm nailer? That would get those nails in a little faster. A local rental place should have a floor sander.

I personally like the look of cut nails on the wood floor but if it bothers you consider using putty over them. I've known a few woodworkers who would use bondo instead and it left a better finished appearance than the putty for what its worth. I've also seen them mix sawdust with putty or epoxy for the same effect that blended in better.

[Timberwolf]

If you don't want to pound all those nails, as an alternative to sanding there's a bunch of wood renewal products that might work as well. I believe loghomeguy has used a product called Biowash to clean logs with good success. The newer ones are more enviro/kid/pet friendly as a bonus.
Oh, and I just remembered, the palm nailer will countersink those nails without an attachment, just fire it off over the nail head and the first wack or 2 will send it below the wood surface.

[mistacandy]

Thanks everyone! The nails were set in pretty far except a few, so it wasn't too hard of work. I went with some hand grinders to level out and remove grey and the went with a floor sander. Put some poly on to finish and it looks like a million bucks!

Thanks to all!

[rreidnauer]

Awww, come on. Now you're just teasing us!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/titantornado/t_needpics.gif

[mistacandy]

Floor Grinded and Sanded (very dusty):
http://www.logcabinupnorth.com/wp-content/gallery/7-10-10/sdc12418.jpg
Floor Finished:
http://www.logcabinupnorth.com/wp-content/gallery/7-10-10/sdc12422.jpg
Up Close to Floor Finished:
http://www.logcabinupnorth.com/wp-content/gallery/7-10-10/sdc12424.jpg

[edkemper]

That floor is absolutely beautiful. Hope mine end up as nice.

[rreidnauer]

Way to go. Looks like they cleaned up good.

nice and clean..^_^