Bare floorboards

[Bitstreams]

We're ripping apart the upstairs at the moment, having inserted a bathroom by dividing the largest bedroom.
We have found that the floorboards in the largest remaining bedroom aren't too bad. They are paint splattered and rather blackened, but appear to be all there without very wide gaps.

This will be our bedroom and it's above the kitchen so we thought we'd go with bare boards and rugs. Should I sand lightly, sand with a hired belt sander or leave alone and try to get the pain off? I think the floor is oak but not 100% sure - doesn't look like pine. The house is early 1800s and this is in one of the oldest bits.

Simon

 

[Moo]

There was a lengthy thread on this topic not long ago which went into the issue in considerable depth.
However, the advice usually given on the forum is to start with lots of elbow-grease and copious rinsing with clean water until you've removed all the muck and can get a clear idea of what you're dealing with.
Please don't start, though, until you've posted some 'before' pictures here, and then keep us up to date with your progress.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Just doing mine today. I hate sanders with a passion for all the dust they throw up and the aggravation to the shoulders (though it's aggravating and difficult however you do it).

I'm using sugar soap - around 20 buckets' worth for a little bedroom. The boards are filthy. And a green backed scourer. And a mop. And a chisel to scrape off the paint flecks. It will take around 3 days. Then the finish. I use this stuff.

http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Liberon_Floor_Sealer.html

http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Liberon_Floor_Wax.html

I don't hand buff but use a buffing machine because of bad shoulders.

There are millions of finishes but that sealer gives a rich dark glow, and this method preserves patina (ie dirt). Sounds like your boards will come up wonderfully well.

 

[Bitstreams]

Here are a few pictures (as I know you lot like pictures)

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, they're lovely. But there's an old finish on those - shellac polish? - I doubt you'd get that off with scrubbing. It's kind of a shame to lose it as it's rather nice but I can see it's very worn in parts. My boards ( from the same period) look similar in terms of the same wood grain but totally different as I had no shellac to get off.

Maybe have a google on Toby Newell floors, you'll get his website with a lot of detailed advice on which sander to hire and all other aspects of the job.

 

[angrybird]

I had exactly the same finish on my boards in my first floor lounge and landing.Its a bu*ger to get off! I have to admit I used a belt and a mouse sander as hand sanding would have taken far too long.
As Joce says lots of washing and rinsing. I use an old bristle scrubbing brush as its not too harsh.

I think PO liked white paint,They even applied it with a catapult :lol:

 

[88v8]

One can do an awful lot of damage with a belt sander.
3D floor, anyone?

Ivor

 

[Bitstreams]

I had exactly the same finish on my boards in my first floor lounge and landing.

Any chance of a picture of what they look like now Angrybird ?

 

[angrybird]

Bitstream I will post a picture as soon as its finished.As you know with period restoration there is always ANOTHER job inbetween :lol:

 

[Toby Newell]

Mmmmm.

Bitumen.

I am not entirely sure sugar soap is going to do the trick. I have just completed 45sqm of 1930s pine floor boards in Norfolk that looked just like your boards which I toned to a nice digestive biscuit colour. You can sand if you wish and get a nice effect, it's all in how you do it. It is incredibly hard work, but washing bitumen will not really have much effect other than give you really clean bitumen.

You can clean bare floor boards which only have dirt on them and carefully scrape off the paint with a new sharp Stanley 1992 blade, lightly sand by hand and refinish but if they have an applied finish, like a stain then sanding is the only option if you want an even finish.

T