While I’m at the sanding and bleaching, am wondering if you guys can recommend a good solvent for vinyl adhesive. The old glue is a medium brownish color and was applied about 40 years ago.
The floor is sanded, but there are low areas and large divots that still show the glue; I want to get rid of it but not continue to sand the whole floor down that much…
thanks-
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Try paint remover.
Like turpentine? Acetone? Harsh stripper? there are so many products to experiment with, I'd like something a little more specific if you can help with that-
Obviously, am also wanting something that will not raise the woodgrain or leave stain "rings" around the area.
Thanks again-
You might try a spot with water only. Maybe hot.
Had a homowner accidently spill a mop bucket of water. They proceeded to broom (with my good one) the water up which had softened the adhesive. Water worked for them.
Turned my good broom into a large one bristle squeegee.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
hmm- couldn't hurt if i'm careful not to create new spots on the good wood; i have noticed that if water spills on the freshly sanded wood that I get an outline of the splash when the spill has dried. Your friend's adhesive was fresh, while mine has been cured for 40+ years. But, a bit of boiling water and a scraper might do the trick. It may raise the grain a little, but i can probably deal with that...
I just now read your other thread on the oak.
They flooded the area. It was old-1960, not new.
Best of luck.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Even old adhesive often responds to hot water. As hot as you can get it, and use a towel to keep the spot moist. Try one spot to see if that works. Often it does.I think the responder who said paint stripper meant paint stripper, not mineral spirits, etc.
I was going to suggest trying water too, but Calvin beat me to it. I also discovered it by accident, but it worked for me.
As for raising the grain, that shouldn't matter since you're sanding anyway. It won't leave any rings or anything.~ Ted W ~
Tool Auctions - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
Had to return the sander after 2 rentals, just now. Am about to try working on the bits of glue and some stubborn black stains now. I prefer not to rent the sander again, nor to use a hand sander and continue to create dust at this point, so want to avoid raising the grain if possible.
Turpentine may work, but...I'd go with harsh stripper like Bix Stripper by Homax, it WILL remove glue.Oops Multi-Purpose Remover may work, claims to remove adhesives.
Edited 3/29/2009 2:02 pm ET by Dam_inspector