Remove Oil Based Paint From Hardwood Floors

Dampen a rag dab the floor and then touch.

Remove oil based paint from hardwood floors.

If the paint is oil based rub it out with white spirit turpentine or acetone. Many chemical cleaners are too harsh to use on this type of floor but there are methods to safely lift dried paint. 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. How to remove oil based paint from wood floors with paint thinner.

Keeping your wood floors looking like new requires constant care and maintenance. 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. 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.

Most of the time this involves simply sweeping and spot washing the floor. Dried paint stains unless they are recent on your wood floor can prove difficult to remove without damaging the floor s finish. To remove paint on hardwood floors start by adding a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rubbing the paint stain. 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.

For oil based drips ask your local paint store for the best solvent and removal method or try step five below. 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. If the paint is smooshed over the surface make a solution with vinegar rubbing alcohol water and dish soap and rub it out. Dip a rag.

Open up windows and get a fan going in the area to keep it well ventilated this odorless paint thinner is another option. However with the proper procedures you can remove both latex and oil based dried paint from your floor s surface without damaging the wood. Dried paint can be a challenge to remove from hardwood flooring without causing major damage especially if the paint is oil based.