For anyone interested in the how-to details, I'm using a non-caustic paint-stripping paste (Peel-Away 7). (I settled on that because I don't have to buy any really expensive tools, I'll be using it on vertical surfaces and ceiling beams, and I generally don't like the idea of sanding or heating paint that might contain a rogue layer with lead).
So far I really like the peel-away. I paint the paste onto the floor, cover it with its paper film, and then I also tape on an extra layer of plastic over the top to make sure it doesn't dry out. Then I just let it sit for 3 days to soften.
It doesn't smell too bad -- it has sort of a mild latex-paint odor. After waiting a few days, I pull back the paper and most all the paint just slides off in a slab, leaving the original (shellac?) finish underneath. I get the last of the remaining paste off by running over it with a scraper, and then I scrub/wipe it with water.
The only places the paint didn't come off easily for me were in the scratches and cracks and spots of damaged or rotten wood-- scraping/brushing those areas took more time than everything else put together.
Also, my newly-uncovered-atrocity-of-the-week is this one godawful patch of floor (see below) where the original finish has been scratched/dissolved(?) so the lowest layer of paint reacted directly with the wood. (I haven't uncovered the rest of this mess yet, as it extends under the paint into the living room-- I'm guessing maybe someone spilled booze (or some other solvent) and then scrubbed it up too late or too vigorously??).
Well, unless I get any new ideas, that spot on the floor will remain green until it is eventually sanded and re-finished. =/
10 comments:
To find out if it really is shellac you could put a little alcohol on the floor maybe near your big bare spot and see if the finish disolves. If it does disolve or get tacky withing a couple minutes then its likely shellac.
We decided to clean our woodwork (shellac finished) with mineral spirits/boiled linseed oil (50:50) and fine steel wool #00 (or so..I heard burlap works pretty good too). After the steel wool/mineral spirit rub...we wipe down with a clean rag. Makes the finish look good again.
Thanks for the tips, frosty. Are you stripping paint off your woodwork before the mineral spirits/linseed oil treatment?
To clarify, the original coating does dissolve in alcohol and that's why I think it's shellac. But there's also a layer over that-- it has the consistency of shoe-polish when I'm scraping off the softened paint. (When I look at some of the insane things the previous owners have done, I almost think it might actually BE shoe-polish. LOL). I'm guessing it might be a layer of varnish or an oil finish or something that reacted strangely with the paint??
I am using steel wool on the trim and I might use the linseed oil mix on that, as well. But the floor badly needs to be sanded, so for now I'm just getting the worst of the paint off and not treating its original finish with any particular care. I hope I'm not going to regret this strategy. >_>
oops, I see you answered my question in a comment on my other post-- thanks. :)
Could that shoe polish be old floor wax...who knows?
There was a small strip of paint on the very top of the trim. We just scraped that off with a scraper and/or pocket knife. I'm sure we removed some of the finish from that small strip. We might try to reamalgamate the shellac and restore the finish, but we need to practice a bit before we do that. After the min spirt/linseed oil treatment it's hard notice where the finish is missing.
floor wax, dessert topping...*shrugs* Whatever it is, it's on the beams, too. =/
Careful. Long-dwell strippers like Peel-Away contain chemicals which can discolor wood and raise the grain. Even Peel-Away 7, which is made for natural woodwork, suffers from some of this.
Thanks for the feedback, stevemanes8. Yikes. I'll keep that in mind for the beams and trim. Would raising the grain actually matter for my floor, though? It is going to be heavily sanded, so I was hoping I could abuse the grain and it wouldn't make a difference...
Hey K--just found this blog (obviously haven't been checking the Allium). Very cool. Looks like you've got some big projects on your plate. I love how bright your rooms are.
And Mr. Frost, I didn't realize you were a home improvement expert!!
One blob reminds me (tounge-in-cheek): Mortal remains of Jimmy Hoofa after mob tried to clean up.
LOL! I hope you're not accusing me of anything... >_>
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