How do you remove the foam from glued down carpet on a wood floor?

Question

I want to refinish and restore my hardwood (actually Fir) floors.Unfortunately the have had the carpet glued to them and when you remove the carpet there is ugly biege foam still stuck to the floor.Do I have to remove this prior to sanding,if so how?Can I just start sanding it off? If so, what grit sand paper? I am so afraid of destroying the floor.The other rooms had old lino that was not glued down and they are beautifull and did not need refinishing!!! Any-one with some expereince with this? I would appreciate yor advice or feedback. Thank

Answer 1

Yes you have to take up all the padding, Go to your local equipment rental, rent a floor scraper, that will get it up.........After you bring that back then you can rent a floor sander, don't forget to get a edge sander too........

Good Luck...........

NEVER USE WATER ON WOOD, the wood grain will raise then you will really have to do some serious sanding............

Answer 2

Don't laugh, but I think Skin So Soft bath oil (Avon) will do the trick! I use it to remove gum from carpeting, as well as that gummy stuff that gets left behind from price stickers. It won't harm your floors (I've used it to clean wood paneling in my home) and actually smells pretty good. Just apply it with a sponge and let it set for a while. Keep testing it, every 10 minutes or so, to see if it's had enough time to work. It should come right off. Use Murphey's oil soap to clean, then let dry completely (24-48 hours) before sanding. It's always best to start out with a clean floor before sanding. To be sure, contact your local home decorating center or a local Home Depot. Many of them can give you free advice and might even recommend a do-it-yourself book that would give you professional guidance. <*)))><

Answer 3

The glue has etched the old floor finish. You really have no choice but to resand and restain and repolyurethane. With that said, your next step is to rent a sander and do it yourself.

Go to Lowes and rent a floor sander with a coarse paper pads and that will remove easily the old foam padding. They rent for about $30 a day and the sanding pads cost about $5 each.

Answer 4

Skin so soft oil is not a bad choice I would worry about staining the wood of course. oils like wd/40 (not in this case)works best at removing glued on items. if the floor has a good/fair finish on it before. then try it!

Answer 5

I would use Hot water and a scraper, and get it all off. You don't want to mess with the floor. The sanding with that on, just might ruin the floor, as I would think you would need a heavier grade.

Answer 6

I had to remove the tape before doing anything. Goo gone got the tape off in my house the tape had been there for at least 12 years when I removed it. Previous owner had no clue about the hardwood floors.

Answer 7

I would try a hair dryer to soften the glue and try to scrap it up with a plastic tool that wouldn't scratch the floor.

Goo-Gone is also suggested for this application.

Answer 8

I have used an old iron
simply put the iron on the spot and then scrape with a putty knife :) in most cases you can pull the remainder glue and such off with your hands :)
Good Luck
Kasper

Answer 9

yes you have to remove it because when you sand it it will just make the glue sticky. You have to get a heat gun and scrape it off. Very time consuming but that is the best way.

Answer 10

scrape in direction of woodgrained floor geterrrrr dunnnn