There can be many reasons behind having to remove paint off from wood floors. It could be because of a new paint job that you are doing for transforming a room. And during the process, you made a lot of errors with paint splatters that now needs removal.
Or it could be for getting rid of the old paint from your wooden floor. No matter what the cause is, hopefully, we’ll be able to cover solutions targeting your needs. Today it’s going to be about how to get paint off wood floors for different needs and situations.
Everything About How to Remove Paint from Hardwood Floors
We’ve tried to guess the most common scenarios that might bring you to a situation of removing the paint. And depending on that we’ve listed down the solutions for removal. Let’s get started then…
Removing Latex Paint
Latex paint is not very hard to get rid of. Even if you are trying to get dried paint off wood floors, it’s possible. First of all, try to go for a non-toxic method. You can use a putty knife or blade tool for scraping the paint. A regular straight edge included tool will also work here.
You can also try the mixture or rubbing alcohol with lemon juice. Mix it in a 2:1 ratio and use it with a cotton cloth for applying to the paint stain. Let it absorb the mixture. Then you can use a nylon scrub brush for loosening the paint. Once it is loose enough, remove everything with a clean rug. You can also use an old toothbrush instead of a nylon scrub.
If the non-toxic way does not work, then use some chemical cleaning agents. You can go with denatured alcohol on the remaining patches. Through a clean cotton cloth simply apply the alcohol in a rubbing motion.
Then use a wet cloth for getting rid of the paint as well as solvent properly. And it should be sparkling without any questioning paint marks.
Removing Spray Paint
Over spraying with spray paint is a very common scenario. However, if you spray some paint accidentally over the wood floor, then removing it is actually not very hard. You can try removing the spray paint as much as possible using the blade tool. To make it run parallel with the floor, simply hold it at an angle. Don’t dig the blade tool into the wood floor, which can actually worsen your situation.
You can also use a mixture of rubbing alcohol with lemon juice to apply over the spray paint. Then through a scrub brush gently get rid of it. Wipe off everything with a clean cloth. If this does not successfully clean paint off wood floors then you need to use a commercial remover. Go for the one that does not hurt your wooden floor and includes nothing too severe to be harmful to your own health.
You need to use a very moderate amount with a cotton cloth for applying on the stain. Then wait for the manufacturer’s instructed time period to let the solvent permeate nicely. After that, dab with a clean cloth to get rid of any remaining residue.
Some people also try using denatured alcohol for removing stains of spray paint. However, it’s pretty powerful so be very cautious. Letting a modest amount soak in the stain should do its magic and later you can clean it with a rag.
If nothing of these works then you need to exfoliate the stain with a nonabrasive scrub brush. You can also use olive oil for loosening the overspray paint and then remove it with a plastic putty knife. No matter what solvent you use, make sure to get rid of it completely with soap water. Or else it can degrade the quality of your wooden floor with passing time.
Dealing with Dried Paint
If you are trying to get paint splatters off wood floors that have already dried, then you can use two methods. One is called the boiled linseed method. It requires you to apply a very tiny amount of linseed oil using a clean cloth over the area that has dried paint splatters. Then use a plastic putty knife to carefully remove the loosened paint and wipe it off with a clean rag.
And another method includes a heat gun. With this tool, you can heat the paint to separate it from the wood floor surface. Hold the gun at a 45-degree angle and at least 6 to 8ncihes away from the floor. Once the paint starts to bubble and fester, bring a paint scraper. Use it for gently peeling the bubbly paint sheet away. Once you are done then remove anything remaining with a blade tool.
Finally use a mild soap and water mixture to clean the floor properly. Make it dry with a clean cloth and you should have your floor revitalized completely. One thing that you should be careful of is that a heat gun is capable of leaving a scorch mark on the wood surface. And it can also cause a fire if not used with extreme caution. So, make sure you never let the gun have contact with the flooring.
If none of these works for dried paint removal, you need to use a hammer for applying pressure on the paint. Then remove it with a paint scraper. This process is a bit risky so do it only when there’s no way at all.
How to Remove Paint from Painted Hardwood Floors
If you are working on refinishing your old home’s painted hardwood floors, then it’s not about getting rid of marks or stains. Instead, now you need to worry about removing the whole floor’s paint. Understanding how to remove old paint from hardwood floors entirely is a lengthy process indeed. You need to do proper preparation to make sure the new finish or paint will have the best adhesion. And sanding is an essential part of this preparation phase.
You will need a new or rented electric sander for this. You need to start with 60-grit sandpaper to make it as uniform as possible. Then follow it up with an 80-grit and 120-grit paper for the perfect preparation result. The first one will get rid of all old paint coverings. And then the remaining two grit sandpapers will remove sanding marks to expose a bare surface suitable for a new stain. Make sure you apply some sort of protective sealant once done with sanding.
Now if you are wondering how to remove paint from hardwood floors without sanding then there are alternative ways to go for. Especially for those who are not really trying to restore painted wood floors, but simply get rid of tiny amounts septically. In that case, you can try the above-mentioned methods that are cheaper and much simpler than sanding.
Keep in Mind These Tips
For removing paint from wood floors, you don’t always have to rush to a local hardware store for buying tools. Look around your house and find things that can be used such as old credit cards, a butter knife with a sharp edge, and even kitchen spatulas.
Instead of a heat gun, you can also use a steamer or air dresser to loosen the stubborn paints.
Before you try to do any removal chore at all, make sure to clean the area properly. You need to not only clean after the process but prior to it as well. The dirt and debris will make paint removal quite messy and time-consuming otherwise.
Apply a tiny amount of acetone for identifying the type of paint you are dealing with. If the paint rubs off, then it must be latex-based, otherwise, it’s an oil-based paint.
To lift up the stain’s corner you can use a tweezer or toothpick.
Always wear gloves and face masks when dealing with paints and strong chemicals. Keep the windows open and let enough air circulation go on to avoid the harm of fumes.
Wrap Up
And that was all about how to get paint off wood floors. Being upset with the paint splatters over your wooden floor is not compulsory if you know the proper way of removal. From spray to latex paint, you now know quite a few routes that are safe according to your situation.
If you can solve the issue with a non-toxic method then it’s a safe play. But in case things don’t work, go for the chemical remover options a bit carefully. Give it some thought and figure out what solution will work best for your situation, Good Luck!