I’m remodelling my mother’s kitchen . . . the flooring issue feels like the last major obstacle . . . under FOUR layers of linoleum is a little used fir t&g floor that we were excited about refinishing, nail holes and all, until we realized that the first layer of linoleum tile was stuck down with black tar.
I thought maybe I could scrape and sand it until I tried a small patch. Scraping wasn’t too bad with paint thinner to ‘melt’ the tar, but even with a thin layer left the sand paper clogs immediately (sure, I could try coarser grits). I tried a wire brush and it just scrapes out the soft grain into paralllel grooves. I could try heat instead of paint thinner . . . what about other stripping products? Do you think I have a chance if I rent a big belt sander with 30-60 grit belts and just go at it for a full day? Oh, its actually two rooms, not one– the adjacent dining room will have a matching floor.
At this point I think I’d be crazy to try and refinish. By the time I do all that work, it would amount to a BIG discount on new material. Just wanted to see if anyone out there sees it differently. On a positive note, my mother is finally interested in wood floors, so maybe she’ll let me do an new one instead of more linoleum . . . Thanks for any responses.
Brian
Replies
Cold - use ice to make it brittle and chip off. Heat makes it gummy and thinner makes it soak into the wood.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
You still have the odor!
Recently discovered the same in my kitchen, after it sat for a few days, I had to go to the doc for alleries. Funny when it was covered, it was no problem. My cure was to cover with Kitlz and 2/8 sanded plywood.
Can't smell and can't see it. Now for the new floorcovering....
after cleaning with solvent, try a paint scraper ..
Use caution unless you have this material tested. Many old flooring materials and flooring adhesives contain asbestos. Not a problem until you stir things up then they can become a real health hazard.
I have heard a number of people say that they have good luck with Bean-e-doo.
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=44084
http://www.franmar.com/product_reviews_info.php?products_id=43&reviews_id=20
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
There was a thread here a few weeks ago on same subject. Most of that stuff is "cut-back" adhesive containing asbestos.
Dry ice was one of the suggested methods. I will try a search. Searched black tar and got this one:
114123.1
Good luck,Bob