How do I get old paint off my hardwood floor?

Question

We had carpet over it for almost 20 years. We have taken up the carpet and I need to clean the paint off the floor so we can refinish the floor.

William · Answer

Part of refinishing a floor is sanding.  The sanding will remove the paint and any imperfections. If it is in decent shape you may only need to lightly sand it with a vibrating sander. If it is in worse shape it will need to be sanded with a rotary sander.

Stephanie · Answer

Good morning, not sure if this will work, but a while back I had a tenant who spilled a large area of dark brown paint on my white-ish burber carpet. My painter used Woolite on the stain and all of it came up. So perhaps you could try using a gentle type of soap and it might work.  Good luck with your project!

Nicole Rickey · Answer

I agree with William that sanding will remove most trouble areas.

Amy Anson · Answer

you may also want to try mineral spirits but I would test a small area first. It's worked for me in the past.

Kathy Compton · Answer

Is the paint latex or oil?  I agree about sanding, there are paint removers, but I would test first.  This sounds crazy, but I thought I would clean my doors with a magic eraser and it took the paint off. I had to repaint because of that. Good luck!

Elizabeth Diane · Answer

If you've tried all the scrubbing techniques, laundry soap, dish soap, nail polish remover, shout and EVERYTHING else, and it still doesn't come up, I agree with William.   Sanding is your best bet, however, I would not get the power tools out, I'd do it by hand.  That way you're in control.  After that, if you're still having trouble with it, I'd call a professional.  Hope I helped.

Miz6785015 · Answer

Acetone nail polish remover

CK · Answer

If you're having your floors refinished, they're going to need sanding anyway. The sanding will take off the paint.

Fauxgal · Answer

IF it was acrylic paint, then white rubbing alcohol will get it up.

Bobbie · Answer

Denatured alcohol is supposed to work if you let the alcohol soak the stain and then use a brush to scrub. Basic all purpose cleaners like Mr. Clean and Simple Green can be used by wetting the dried paint with warm water, applying the liquid soap, and then scraping with a blunt edge (like an old credit card).

How do I get old paint off my hardwood floor?

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How do I get old paint off my hardwood floor?

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