We just started redoing our floors that were covered with lanolimen, that was 100 years old. It left a dark backing film on the hardwood we would like to save. This is coming off really slow with a belt sander (about 3' square an hour). Is there any product out there that will help take this off? I tried zip strip and it doesn't touch it. DEAN
2006-12-25 16:54:49 · 9 answers · asked by dvzen 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
i just answered a question about this the other day. that was a 1940-50's hot tar installed linoleum floor. they would put down tar, tar paper, more tar, then the linoleum. while it may be too late to warn you about the possibility of asbestos in the linoleum, maybe i can save you a broken back. you might find that the tar will smear from the seams as you sand and you might not get it out. that's the word we got from a flooring re finisher. also when the flooring was put down the wood was likely beat up. contact a flooring re finisher as if you can restore the floor, he will have the tools to give you the job you are looking for. drum sanders, floor edgers, and that one to get under the radiators. we weren't able to 'save' our kitchen floor, but the rest came out great. good luck to you, and happy new year!
2006-12-25 18:06:00 · answer #1 · answered by car dude 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Vinyl flooring does not live up to hardwood flooring. If you can afford it, get the hardwood. It's easy to clean, the look is so much nicer and it lasts a lot longer. Short term care is easy with the vinyl but in the long run you replace it etc. Hardwood never goes out of style. Even if you get a similar look to hardwood with the vinyl it's not the same feeling. Good Luck
2016-05-23 07:04:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are on the right track. I have done two rooms that way, and have two to go. The drum sanders are not for one time users. They won't get close en ought to the walls, and can severely damage the flooring if you make a boo boo. Hiring someone to refinish is more costly than putting down new floors. I wouldn't try to get it all new looking, save some of the charm .
2006-12-26 01:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire a pro. sounds like you are already over your head. just bought a house w/hardwood throughout and thought I could redo the floors myself. with no experience it's next to impossible. should have moved into a house that didn't need extensive work. will never do that again.
2006-12-26 01:17:12 · answer #4 · answered by rfxdwg01 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try laquer thinner (wear a mask), work small areas (2'x2') with a scrapper, if that doesnt work and it is a tar floor try heat, either a carefully!!! controlled tourch or heat gun (glorified blow dryer). If that doesnt work or its more time consuming then your stuck with sanding. And you should look into renting a hardwood floor sander.
2006-12-25 19:16:44 · answer #5 · answered by nikomat77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I know what you are speaking of our house is old also. Try some goo gone, white vinegar, ask at a hardware store. There is something else to clean it with but, I can't think of it. If it is gooy or sticky the goo gone will work but, it may become costly.
2006-12-25 17:06:55 · answer #6 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goof Off is a good product and is available in most hardware stores.
2006-12-25 17:42:26 · answer #7 · answered by Neil C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rent a big sander.
2006-12-25 17:05:55 · answer #8 · answered by gdwrnch40 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry keep sanding. Its a lot of work but the end product is well worth it.
2006-12-25 17:01:53 · answer #9 · answered by panicbutton4562003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋