Stripping wooden floors is an economical and sensible method to say goodbye to an previous undesirable end. Perhaps it’s time for a flooring refresh, or possibly you need one thing utterly new to convey out the great thing about your picket flooring.
Completely different forms of wooden flooring sometimes include completely different finishes with varnish, wax, paint and stain probably the most generally used choices. Stripping isn’t so simple as one possibility fits all, you might want to select probably the most applicable methodology to get the most effective end. Right here we take a look at the completely different strategies and which can work finest in your flooring end.
Stripping wooden floors: The instruments you’ll want
Stripping flooring is usually a messy job, so not solely will you want the fitting instruments, however additionally, you will want to verify to spend money on protecting gear corresponding to gloves, goggles and a respirator masks.
Chemical stripper
Paintbrushes
Scraper
Wire wool/Metal scourers
White spirit
Bin liners
White spirit is a multi-purpose solvent that’s nice for thinning paints and serving to take away paint, grease, glue and extra from surfaces.
Vikan Plastic Hand Scraper
A robust, sturdy, warmth resistant polypropylene all-in-one hand scraper that has a refined rounded blade edge that may assist take away glue with damaging a floor.
Faithfull Metal Wire Wool
A fantastic grit industrial high quality metal wool that’s ultimate for floor preparation and ending. Works effectively with paint strippers serving to entry laborious to achieve areas.
Kirk Evans
Kirk has over 12 years’ expertise within the wooden flooring trade, together with roles in gross sales, high quality and coaching. Kirk’s information of every thing from subfloor preparation to upkeep and repairs is unsurpassed.
5 steps to strip a picket flooring
Kirk Evans, Technical Supervisor at Woodpecker Flooring runs by the steps you might want to take to strip a picket flooring with a chemical stripper.
1. Put together the room
Step one is to clear the world/flooring that you’re stripping. Start by eradicating all furnishings, rugs, and decorations from the room. Then shield the encompassing area by shielding any energy shops, vents, and doorways with plastic sheeting to maintain mud and fumes contained.
Earlier than making use of any chemical substances, put on protecting gear like gloves, goggles, and a respirator like this 3M Upkeep Free Half Masks from Amazon.
2. Apply chemical stripper
Choose a chemical stripper appropriate in your flooring’s end. Gel-based choices are sometimes most well-liked as they adhere effectively to the floor. Evans recommends Barrettine Peelaway 7 or Barrettine Peelaway 1. For a less expensive resolution he suggests No Nonsense Paint & Varnish Stripper.
Apply utilizing a paint brush or curler, apply the stripper alongside the wooden grain. Guarantee a good, thick layer for efficient penetration. Then let the stripper sit for the time advisable by the producer, normally 15 to half-hour, longer for extra cussed finishes. You’ll understand it’s prepared when the end begins to bubble or wrinkle.
3. Take away the end
When the stripper has finished its job, use a plastic scraper or putty knife to softly elevate the softened end from the ground. For corners or detailed areas, a stiff-bristled brush or metal wool works effectively. Repeat if mandatory, there could also be a number of layers and you could have to reapply the stripper and repeat the method till all finishes are eliminated.
4. Clear the floor
After stripping, clear the ground with a advisable neutralising agent, like white spirit or a vinegar-water combine, to take away any residue. When finished, rinse the floor by wiping down the ground with clear water and a moist fabric to make sure all chemical substances are eliminated. Lastly, go away the ground to dry completely.
5. Ending touches
When the ground is dry evenly sand the ground with a fine-grit sandpaper to easy any tough spots and put together the floor for a brand new end. Subsequent vacuum the ground to take away all mud and particles. To complete, examine the ground and ensure it’s clear, dry, and free from chemical residues earlier than making use of a brand new end.
Frequent strategies for stripping a wooden flooring
Not all picket flooring finishes will want a chemical stripper to take away the end. There could also be extra appropriate choices relying on the kind of end. Right here Evans offers a listing of the advantages of the frequent strategies and what flooring finishes they finest work with.
Chemical strippers – These are perfect for intricate or detailed flooring, particularly when coping with a number of layers. Guarantee good air flow and deal with with care. These are sometimes used on polyurethane, varnish and shellac flooring finishes and typically on painted picket flooring.
Sanding – This methodology generally makes use of a drum or orbital sander to take away the end. It’s quick and efficient, however might be dusty and will take away a skinny layer of the wooden. It’s a common alternative for stained picket flooring the place you need to get again to reveal wooden.
Warmth gun – Finest for small areas or cussed finishes. It softens the end for simpler scraping however requires cautious dealing with to keep away from damaging the wooden. This can be a common alternative for painted wooden floors and isn’t as messy as utilizing a chemical stripper.
Mineral spirits – That is sometimes used on waxed picket flooring. Mixed with a fabric it helps take away the wax and isn’t as messy as a chemical stripper.
FAQs
Does vinegar strip hardwood flooring?
Sure and no. You may combine family vinegar with cream of tartar and water to create an answer that’s acidic, that may assist soften/clear a end. However this methodology isn’t as efficient as a chemical stripper. I recommend that you simply don’t trouble utilizing it as a stripper various, particularly when you’re trying to strip a complete flooring.
Nonetheless, a vinegar and water combine can be utilized as an do-it-yourself flooring cleaner for picket flooring. However be sure that to check the answer on an out of the way in which spot to see its response.
And when you do use the answer, don’t go away it on the ground for lengthy. Use a moist mop to use the answer, wring out a mop in clear water to rinse the ground and go away to dry. Don’t go away any standing swimming pools of water on the floor.
If stripping your picket flooring, strive your finest to not harm it, however when you do try our restore wooden flooring information. For those who’re including a brand new end be sure that to take a look at our staining wooden floors and sanding wooden floors guides that will help you get the most effective end.
