How To Get Paint Off Hardwood Floors. Complete Guide For Removing Dry Paint
Share It
Home renovations make your house more comfortable, but sometimes, accidents happen like spilling paint on the hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors are expensive, so its best to restore them rather than install a new one. To know what to do first, heres all you need to know about how to get paint off on hardwood floors.
How To Remove Paint From Hardwood Floors
Removing paint stains from hardwood floors is easy. Sanding wood floors can be an option. Wash it with soap and warm water.
Another option would include mineral spirits: rubbing alcohol, paint remover, paint thinners, denatured alcohol, and cleansing pads, among others.
- Working time: 20 minutes to 1 hour
- Skill level: Beginner
How To Identify The Kind Of Paint On Your Hardwood Floors
Before you start looking for ways to remove paint from hardwood floors, be sure to check the paint and identify the type of paint. There are three types of paint currently available: oil, latex and water-based.
Wet a cotton ball with alcohol and wipe over the paint. You should check if any residue remains on the cotton ball. If you can see a residue, it may be water-based or latex paint. If no residue is visible on the cotton it’s likely oil-based.
Warning Test
If the floor was painted before the 1970s, it might contain lead. Before you buy anything else, make sure to purchase lead swab testing kits. Also, check the Environmental Agencys website to guide you on how to remove it.
Preparing The Floor For Paint Removal
Before you start the paint removal process, clean the floor. Ensure they are dry before proceeding with removing old paint. Wear protective gear and keep your work area well-ventilated.
How To Get Water-Based Paint Off Hardwood Floors: 4 Effective Ways
Method #1: Mixture Of Rubbing Alcohol And Lemon Juice
Use this method to remove water-based paint stains off your wood floors. This method, however, needs some time to get paint off hardwood floors.
Preparation
Wear gloves and cover unaffected areas of the floor. Use old, clean rags, rubbing alcohol and a glass of lemon-juice to scrub the floor. Mix three parts alcohol and one part lemon juice. The floor area will determine the amount of alcohol.
Process
- Step 1: Dip the rag in the solution and wipe the floor area with paint stains. Allow the solution to sit on the surface for a few minutes.
- Step 2: Make sure the water-based paint is not hardened or loosened. Next, use the same rag to scrub any paint splatters. To remove stubborn paint from hard-to reach areas, use a brush.
Method 2: Use Dishwashing Liquid/Cleaning Detergent
Paint splatters can be removed from floors with the help of dishwashing liquid, cleaning detergent, and lukewarm hot water. These two methods are very effective and cost-effective for removing paint from floors.
What you’ll need
- Dishwashing detergent or liquid
- A bucket of lukewarm, filtered water
- Damp rag
Process
- Step 1: Combine water and dish soap in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Using a rag, dip it into the bucket and wipe the floor’s entire surface.
- Step 3: Let the floor remain wet for a while to allow the dry paint to soften.
- Step 4: Proceed to scrub all the paint with the wet cloth until the paint comes off.
- Step 5: Remove the extra paint and moisture with a dry cloth. If you see some dried paint left, you may remove it using an electric sander or a paint scraper.
Method #3: Sand It Off
Sanding your wood floor can be one of the best ways to get rid of paint. These instructions will help you get a floor that is paint-free.
What Youll Need
- Handheld electric sander
- One pack of different grits of sandpaper (60 grit, 80 grit, and 12 grit)
- Regular sandpaper
- Paint scraper
Process
- Step 1: Use the electric sander to sand the floors. To remove most of the paint, start with 60 grit paper.
- Step 2: Continue to sand the floors using the 80 grit and then the 120 grit sandpaper. These grits will give you a smooth finish to your wood floors.
- Step 3: Continue sanding the wood surface without using an electric sander.
- Step 4: If you find any grooves that are difficult to reach with sandpaper, then you can continue using a scraper. You can remove any remaining paint by using a scraper.
- Step 5: Once all steps are accomplished, you may seal, stain, or repaint it.
Method #4: Paint Scraper
Use a scraper to remove the layers of paint from your floors. This is the best option to remove loose paint on your floors.
How To Get Oil-Based Paint Off Hardwood Floors: 5 Tried & Tested Options
Resin is the main pigment used in oil-based paints. They are frequently used on wooden floors as a finish, and its removal can be challenging. These steps will help you successfully remove oil-based paints from wooden floors.
Method #1: Commercial Paint Removers Or Thinners
You can remove oil based paint marks from the hardwood floor surface using a solvent such as a paint remover or a paint thinner. These solvents are readily available in your local hardware store.
Process
- Step 1: Adequately wet the rag with the paint thinner and wipe the floor. Reapply as often as possible.
- Step 2: Using a dry cloth, wipe off the extra paint and paint thinner.
- Step 3: Use a scraper to remove the remaining dissolved paint off the floor.
Method #2: Paint Stripper
Similar to a paint thinner, A commercial paint stripper is also an efficient way of removing dried oil based paint from wood floors.
Process
- Step 1: Apply the paint stripper to the wood with a brush. Let it sit for around 20-30 minutes.
- Step 2: When you see bubbles you can lift the paint off and remove as much as you want. These steps can be repeated if necessary.
Method #3: Heat Gun
You can use heat to dry the floor or remove old paint.
Preparation
To prepare the space for the process, open your windows or doors to keep the area ventilated. Protect yourself by wearing protective gloves and a mask.
Process
- Step 1: Heat the area with paint.
- Step 2: Scrape off the paint slowly once you have removed all bubbles and wrinkles. These steps can be repeated as needed.
Method #4: Sand It Off
Sanding off paint is an efficient way of removing paint. This task will require you to gather and prepare all the necessary items.
What Youll Need
- Electric sander
- One pack of sandpaper in three different grits: 60 grit; 80 grit and 120 grit
- Sandpaper for regular use
- Paint scraper
- Heat gun
Process
- Step 1: Attach 60 grit sandpaper and sand the floor.
- Step 2: If the paint is hard to remove at this point, you may use the hot air gun first. The heat applied to the paint will slowly reduce the adhesion of the oil-based pain on the floor.
- Step 3: Once the paint is heated, use the sander again to remove the paint.
- Step 4: Use the 80 grit or 120 grit sandpaper if most of the paint is gone to smoothen the floor.
- Step 5: Use a scraper to remove any residues from difficult-to-reach areas.
- Step 6: Clean any extra paint found after this method.
Method #5: Paint Scraper
If you observe that the paint on your floors is flimsy and flaky, you can use a paint scraper to remove it. You can also use a heat gun to soften paint.
How To Get Latex Paint Off Hardwood Floors: 7 Effective Ways
Latex paint, although similar to water-based paints is harder to remove. Erasing dried latex paint may require stronger materials for its effective removal.
Method #1: Heat Gun
Using heat can help soften hardened paint. Follow the steps below.
