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How to Remove Old Paint and Let your Hardwood Floor Shine
Whether you are settling into your new house or remodeling your old spaces, one of the best ways to show off your home's beauty is by updating your hardwood floor by removing old paint. If you or a previous owner purposely painted over your hardwood or paint was accidentally dropped, here are a few easy tips and tricks to restore your flooring to its natural splendor. What Type of Paint is on the Floor?You first need to determine what type of paint was used or spilled on your hardwood floor. If it was you who painted or spilled, this should be easy! If not, you will need to test a discrete patch of flooring to discern if the paint is latex or oil-based. How long the paint has been on the hardwood is also a factor ? the older the paint, the harder it may be to remove. Finally, if you aren't removing paint from the entire flooring and are dealing simple with specks and spatters, try to determine what type of finish is on the hardwood polyurethane, wax, water-based urethane or penetrating seals like oils and waxes. Sanding Down and PreparingYou're ready to start work! If the entire surface of your hardwood floor is covered with old paint, and you are unable to determine the type of paint used, your best bet is to sand off the paint. Using either a handheld or motorized sander, run it over the flooring using even strokes. The added benefit of this method is that not only will the old paint be removed, but the hardwood floor will also be well-prepared for staining and sealing/finishing. Be careful not to be overly aggressive if you are unsure of the depth of your flooring, over-sanding may cause weakness. If you are trying to remove patches of old paint that may have dropped while you were finishing walls or baseboards, and you determine the type of paint to be latex, rubbing alcohol will work wonders for your project! Simply pour a quantity of rubbing alcohol large enough to cover the entire affected area and let sit for a few minutes. When you come back, use a toothbrush or other small mildly-course bristled brush, and the old paint will come off in minutes! If the paint is latex and the hardwood floor has finished with polyurethane, another method to try is using commercial products specifically designed to remove paints, inks and other nasty stains. When you begin work, make sure to allow plenty of time from project start to project finish. Be patient while you work ? ?tis better to work slower and see better results than rush through and risk ruining your flooring. Once you determine what method is best for you, you'll be well on your way to removing old paint and letting your hardwood floor shine! |