removing paint from hardwood floors

[edog]

All,

I have a few spills on my hardwood floors from painting various items around the house. The spills are oil based primer and oil based paint. I know it's very easy to remove the stuff when it's fresh by using mineral spirits as it comes right up, but what about after it has dried/cured?

Am I out of luck ? Will mineral spirits still be effective, if not, what are the proper steps to take.

For the sharp tongued:

Yes I tried to protect the floors, I had plastic sheeting covering the whole area but between two crazy pets and three wild kids, the plastic moved in some areas and the floor became exposed. Thanks in advance guys.

[gpdewitt]

Mineral spirits will not touch dried paint. More likely to strip finish off hardwood floor, if it is only wax. Paint stripper will give the same result, only worse. What is the finish on the floor, if it is known? How big are the spots? If small, I would get a box of single edge razor blades and a pair of knee pads and start scraping, very carefully, at the spots, going just far enough to remove the paint. You may still have to wax or repair the floor finish where the spots were. Good luck...

[bf]

If it was me, I'd try to scrape off what I could with my fingernail and a plastic scraper.

Then use mineral spirits on the rest.

[SteveW]

Try removing as much as you can by scraping as mentioned above, then get a very fine steel wool and gently "sand" off the remaining.

[Ray]

'Sharpen' a stiff putty knife on your grinder or with a file then round the corners to prevent gouging the floor. Scrape slowly and carefully..

[Nova]

Spills or drips? For drips use a single edged razor blade as a mini scraper and a lot of care.

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

[edog]

The floor is stained (cherry type finish) with polyurethane on top. I have a mixture of spills and drips.

So far, this doesn't look good. I didn't know it would be this difficult to get the paint up. If the finish is stripped I don't care... I'd rather look at that instead of white paint. I guess sanding is the only option ?

[gw]

Have you tried a product like Valspar's Goof-Off? I know it works for latex paint, but I have not tried it on oil. They sell small cans in various chain and hardware stores. Try in a very inconspicuous area first.

I might also try a heat gun on a low setting. The drips may peel off of the poly if the paint has not bonded with it.

[David]

[Baron]

You might try soaking the dried spills with some linseed oil until the spills soften and then scraping off.

Good Luck.