How To Remove Shellac From Wood Floors: Procedure To Remove

Procedure to Remove Shellac from Wood Floors

Shellac is a type of finish that is applied on to the wooden floors. Shellac finish becomes dull over time and needs restoration for which refinishing is the best option. In order to refinish the wooden floors, the user needs to remove old shellac finish from it for which the procedure to follow is:

1. Clean The Wooden Floor:
   First, the user needs to mop the entire floor with a solution containing hot water and wax cutting detergent. All the floors finished with shellac finish are mostly protected with a wax coat and the mentioned solution will help in removing it.
2. Divide Floor In Sections:
   It has been recommended by the experts to work in sections for which the user needs to divide the floor into 4-foot squares or the size of his choice. The floor can be divided by using masking tape or the user can divide it mentally.
3. Apply Denatured Alcohol On The Floor:
   After that, the user needs to spread denatured alcohol over the one wooden floor section by using a rag or a paintbrush. Once the solvent is spread, the user needs to wait for 2-3 minutes before scraping the paint off by using a paint scraper. The plastic scraper can also be used to scrape off the paint from wood floors.
4. Remove Remaining Finish:
   The user can spread denatured alcohol on the areas where the finish is still remaining and after a few minutes, scrape the paint off the areas as well. In order to remove finish between V-groove boards and from gaps, the recommended tool is a putty knife.
5. Scrub The Boards:
   The next step will be to scrub the boards with a pad of fine steel wool soaked in alcohol. The user needs to scrub within the direction of the grain rather than opposite it in order to avoid streaks.
6. Remove Last Bit Of Residue:
   The last step will be to dampen a clean cloth with clean alcohol and wipe down the wood floors with it in order to get rid of the remaining last bit of residue. Once one section of the floor is complete, the user can switch to the next section followed by all remaining sections.