restoring victorian floorboards with black border

drummer_666

Does anyone know how to strip the black paint/!!!!!umen/varnish border that would've originally been painted around the rug back in the day?

I've got the rest of the lounge floorboards are looking good by using a hand belt sander, but this black gunk is melting and clogging up the belts.

I tried rubbing with white spirit and steel wool, which got a little of it off but it's not very effective.


After googling I found that people used nitromors but this was before the formular was changed, so I'm unsure of what is best to use these days

Does anyone have any experience?

somethingcorporate

Give nitromors a go - no harm in finding out as it can be quite effective.

It may be a very labour intensive job.

teneighty

I had exactly the same problem and tried numerous methods such as paint stripper, hot air gun, wire wool etc.

Whilst not being perfect by a long way, the most effective thing I found were abrasive flap wheels in a standard drill. They still clog but nowhere near as much, I bought a box that worked out at under £1 each and changed them when they started to clog. Also cheap stainlees steel pan scourers were more effective than wire wool.

Good Luck

WestonDave

I wonder whether something like a Surform would get most of it off if used carefully which would then enable you to sand the rest off without too much clogging.

drummer_666

teneighty wrote: »

I had exactly the same problem and tried numerous methods such as paint stripper, hot air gun, wire wool etc.

Whilst not being perfect by a long way, the most effective thing I found were abrasive flap wheels in a standard drill. They still clog but nowhere near as much, I bought a box that worked out at under £1 each and changed them when they started to clog. Also cheap stainlees steel pan scourers were more effective than wire wool.

Did paint stripper work at all? don't really want to waste my money on nitromours if it isn't likely to work.

where did you get the abrasive flap wheels from?

thanks

teneighty

I found the paint stripper or hot air gun softened it so you could scrape the worst off but it left a horrible gooey mess. I would then leave it for a day or two to solidify then attack it with the flap wheel. With a final go over with the belt sander, coarse then fine to tidy it up. Just be careful not to hold the flap wheel in one place for too long or you'll end up with a contour map of the himylayas.

I got them from the internet, probably ebay, very cheap for a box of 10 or 12 I think but the old memory is getting a bit hazy.

drummer_666

teneighty wrote: »

I found the paint stripper or hot air gun softened it so you could scrape the worst off but it left a horrible gooey mess. I would then leave it for a day or two to solidify then attack it with the flap wheel. With a final go over with the belt sander, coarse then fine to tidy it up. Just be careful not to hold the flap wheel in one place for too long or you'll end up with a contour map of the himylayas.

I got them from the internet, probably ebay, very cheap for a box of 10 or 12 I think but the old memory is getting a bit hazy.

thanks, I've bought some of the nitromors paint stripper and a wire brush to give it a go. I'll see how this goes and maybe buy some flap wheels from ebay

I could always stain the floors the original colour, which before I started and saw the lovely natural colour I wanted to do anyway...

drummer_666

teneighty wrote: »

I had exactly the same problem and tried numerous methods such as paint stripper, hot air gun, wire wool etc.

out of interest did you try a drum floor sander or edging sander and did this work?

i tried the nitromors and it worked a bit, but only took some of it off

thanks

drummer_666

updating this for anyone that does a google search

i've found something that works!

tar remover along with wire brush and shave hook.

got mine from b&q for £1.98 for 375ml bottle, much cheaper than other varnish/paint stripper.

here's a guide with photos for anyone that is looking for the info

http://victorianterracerefurb.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/how-to-remove-bitumen-from-wooden-floorboards/

it is very hard elbow grease but it works & it's not too expensive

it does burn your eyes though... try and ventilate as much as possible and wear a face mask too.