[gregpark]

^ Sanding and covering then applying sealer and finish later doesn't work.
It would have to be re sanded. Once we start sanding, no one is allowed in the house (no foot prints or debris contamination). Doesn't make much difference to paint first or after, I've done it both ways for 50 years. Regardless, the floors should be protected from paint before OR after the flooring is re finished. Usually the order of events are determined by the schedules of the painter and the floor guy. We plastic off cabinets, light fixtures, etc. for fine dust but I've never had a complaint from a painter or home owner about our minimal dust creating a problem for paint. Our dust reclamation bags work quite well and any residual dust from us is super fine and minimal. (And we don't mess up base boards or door jambs when we sand)