Old shellac floor is pealing, can I stain over hardwood w/o sanding?

For best results I would sand it first, otherwise the stain may not stick n where its peeling will show thru..

I would not do it, the colour will be different as well as the finished. It really will not look nice.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/removing-shellac-wood-floors-93411.html

https://www.hunker.com/13414716/how-to-refinish-old-wood-floors-without-sanding

https://www.familyhandyman.com/floor/hardwood-floors/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors/view-all/

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Shellac

Hi Sandy, Afraid not if you want it to look slick and s mart. OK! if you are looking for that

Rustic look, as the finish will look patched!

NO! If the finish is paling you will need to sand it down to the bare wood or the stain will not penstate the wood and the new finish will not adhere ..

shellac is a resin suspended in alcohol. You apply it the alcohol evaporates and you have a shellac finish. Use alcohol to remove it. Sometimes you can smooth it back out by applying alcohol but that is difficult to do and you may mix it with dirt and grease. Apply the alcohol and wipe off. Repeat the process until you have clean wood. Then you can apply a new finish. Shellac is not the best finish for a wood floor. Try a varnish or polyurethane. Sanding would require removing all the finish down to raw wood. You loose the wood patina from aging by sanding. Using alcohol or sanding depends on the condition of the wood. If you use alcohol be sure and ventilate the area as the fumes could be hazardous.

TONY DiNICOLA ARCHITECT

tdaia@sbcglobal.net

If it is shellac, you can wash it away with a strong ammoniated cleaner.

Or even straight ammonia - but ammonia is strong so you will need GOOD cross ventilation, gloves, and goggles. If you do a good job the floor will be ready to stain as soon as it is dry.

Hi. It may not be shellac but oil based polyurethane. If, as suggested, using alcohol or ammonia does not remove, you will need to use paint thinner to smooth out the poly. Once this is done, use a poly that has stain mixed in.