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removing glue from hardwood floors

user-44783 | Posted in Construction Techniques on September 22, 2006 11:59am

We are in the process of remodeling a old Sunday school building, in the past carpet was glued to the hardwood flooring, we removed the carpet but the glue remains, sanding gums the paper real fast, is there and other method we can use. we are talking a few thousand square feet. thanks we need all the advice we can get.

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  1. Hiker | Sep 23, 2006 12:16am | #1

    My house had the carpet pad glued to the wood floors.  We used Citristrip and 6" drywall knifes.  Worked very well.  Use respirators have fans blowing and wear gloves.  Or... keep sanding.

    Bruce

  2. DanH | Sep 23, 2006 12:17am | #2

    You'll need to find an appropriate solvent, and likely the solvent will remove the wood finish, so the floors will need to be refinished.

    You can try alcohol first, but likely you'll need a petroleum or acetone based product. A paint remover product may be the simplest approach.

    Try small areas to see which product is most effective for the least cost and the least staining/damage to the wood finish.

    Of course, use plenty of ventillation, and take precautions against fire.

    If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
  3. User avater
    IMERC | Sep 23, 2006 12:27am | #3

    try paint thinner...

    usually a safe bet and have lots of ventilation...

     

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!

    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  4. ditch | Sep 23, 2006 04:26pm | #4

    The fastest least expensive method is to hand scrape the adhesive off without any solvents. Solvents will melt the adhesive and gum your blades.

    Use pull type scrapers with replaceable razor blades...and change blades frequently.

    1 person can scrape approx. 500 ft. per day.

     

  5. vinniegoombatz | Sep 27, 2006 11:24pm | #5

     

    go back to sanding, use more aggressive belts    safer than using solvents which can torch or even blow up    anything can set solvent off; tool spark, using electric outlet or switch, not wirth dyin for   hav someone good on the machine   try norton "red heat" brand belts wich are ceramic   or  the 3M blue belts, name escapes me but supply house can help u   both made to run cooler, helps aganst gumming

     

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