Remove Oil Based Paint From Hardwood Floors

Dip a rag.

Remove oil based paint from hardwood floors.

Several solvents will remove oil based paint but mineral spirits is the strongest one you can safely use on hardwood and you should use it sparingly. Always try out other methods to remove paint from hardwood without chemicals before resorting to commercial solvents. If there s dried paint in between floorboards or other small cracks use soap and water or solvent on a pointy ended cotton swab the kind they sell for makeup says macmillan or an old toothbrush. How to remove oil based paint from wood floors with paint thinner.

Keeping your wood floors looking like new requires constant care and maintenance. Removing oil based old paint is more challenging compared to acrylic paint as some of the effective solvents used to dissolve the paint may also damage the floor finish. You can often remove latex paint from a laminate floor by scraping it with a plastic scraper. Many chemical cleaners are too harsh to use on this type of floor but there are methods to safely lift dried paint.

If the paint is smooshed over the surface make a solution with vinegar rubbing alcohol water and dish soap and rub it out. To remove paint on hardwood floors start by adding a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rubbing the paint stain. Dampen a rag dab the floor and then touch. Open up windows and get a fan going in the area to keep it well ventilated this odorless paint thinner is another option.

If the paint is oil based rub it out with white spirit turpentine or acetone. Dried paint can be a challenge to remove from hardwood flooring without causing major damage especially if the paint is oil based. Heavy maintenance will be required however if you drop certain stain causing substances such as oil based paint on your wood floor. Ok no really if none of the above methods work to remove paint spills and you know the paint is oil based it s time to try paint thinner.

However with the proper procedures you can remove both latex and oil based dried paint from your floor s surface without damaging the wood. If that doesn t take the paint off use a rag to blot denatured alcohol on the stain let it soak in for a few minutes then scrub it with a brush. Most of the time this involves simply sweeping and spot washing the floor.