Removing latex paint from hardwood floor
So when these guys last did interior painting, the whole family (including kids) helped. And they didn’t bother to put down dropcloths on the hardwood floors because they were getting new wall-to-wall carpet installed!
But now the carpet is coming out and the hardwood has paint spatter, spills (not too heavy), places where they set the roller down on the floor, etc.
I wonder if there’s any quick way to get the paint up without resorting to full sand/refinish. We really don’t have the time or money to do that.
I think a regular paint scraper would get the paint up but take a lot of the finish and floor up with it too. Has anyone heard of a “softer” scraper that might take the latex paint and leave the floor finish alone?
I was also toying with the idea of getting a big floor buffer and using a scotchbrite pad of some “grit” or other and seeing if I could scrub it off.
Any ideas at all are appreciated; preference given to anyone who’s had any actual success!
Replies
Regular rubbing alcohol disolves latex paint.
Depends on what the floor finish is and if this is oil or latex paint splatter.
I presume that you ideally want to remove the paint without damaging the floor finish.
If it's latex paint, try some naphtha. Well dampen the paint with the naphtha, then let it sit for a couple minutes or so. Wipe with naphtha saturated cloth. Hopefully, that'll remove the latex paint without damaging the floor finish.
#0000 steel wool or similar can be used to aid removal, but use with care or you might rub thru the floor finish.
If this floor is old, the finish may be shellac. Alcohol would dissolve that quite readily.
Edit: You should find naphtha on the shelf at your local paint store. Open doors and windows for ventilation and an appropriate respirator rated for vapors would be a good idea also if you have alot of this to do.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 5/28/2005 8:23 am ET by GOLDHILLER
Try "Goof Off" or "Oops". Thats what they were made for.
In addition to the Goof off or other products you can get plastic scrapers that will sometimes work.
Windsheild ice scrapers are perfect, but might be hard to find this time of year.
The other think is the plastic DW knives.
Plastic scraper from a ski shop. They're used to scrape soft wax off the bottom of your skiis when you 'hotwax' em.
3$
Acetone works on many latex paints. You could try a spot with nail polish remover to see before you buy a pint. Nail polish remover has oil in it, so you wouldn't want to use it for the whole job because it would leave oil on the floor. Let the solvent soak for a few minutes. Besides a scraper, some type of mildly abrasive sponge might help.
You are likely to need to put a new clear finish on the whole floor to even out the sheen after all the paint is up.
You might be able to remove it with water. Take fairly warm or even slightly hot water with some detergent (dish washing soap) in it and soak the paint several times. Then proceed with cautiously scraping with a dull plastic or even wood piece. I've done it several times on my painting jobs when I cleaned up new and mostly old paint splatters. The heat of the water will soften the latex and make it workable. You can also lay a rag, soaked with the hot , soapy water on the splatter and let it work in for a while. All other solvents - besides alcohol and terpentine (smells!)- will have an impact on the varnish. Good luck and patience!
Rolf
Oops! or Goof Off, but either one will tend to remove some of the finish, so try other methods first. A Scotchbrite buffer with alcohol might work (but use good ventillation, to prevent a buildup of flammable fumes).