Any suggestions for removing vinyl glue from hardwood floors without sanding, even after trying Goo Gone with partial success?
Asked by Oliver Stojanović 
4 weeks ago
Last Updated: October 23, 2024
Hey, does anyone have any tips for getting vinyl glue off hardwood floors without having to sand them down? I gave Goo Gone a shot and it helped in some spots, but there’s still some residue left. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Grab a damp cloth and a steam iron. Place the cloth over the stain and steam it. Remove quickly before it cools, may need to repeat the process.
Thank you .
You’ll probably need to sand, but try scraping off as much as you can first. Use heavy solvents in areas where scraping doesn’t work, but make sure you have good ventilation and wear the right mask. Putty knives, wire brushes, and coarse steel wool can also be helpful. Consider using steam or hot water before solvents, but it might not make a big difference. Test out different methods in a hidden spot before moving on. Best of luck!
Hey Dave! Remember to also shut off your gas furnace, boiler, and water heater. It can prevent any dangerous fumes from building up.
I’ll give it a shot. Thanks!
Have you tried Goo Gone before? It’s pretty effective.
I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve witnessed using hot water and a towel, followed by scraping while it’s still warm. Kathy suggested that using a steamer might be more effective along with a warm damp towel.
Make sure to grab a heat gun and a 6″ putty knife or razor scraper with the blade turned around. ‘t forget to wear a respirator while heating until soft.
Peanut oil is the way to go!
Is it possible to adjust a floor sander to only sand the sticky areas and a little bit extra? This way, she can reduce the amount of wood thickness being removed.
Using a sander is quite different from using a lawn mower.
That could lead to a lot of frustration since the sandpaper will get filled with glue and cause blockages.
Oh, that’s a valid point
When you see black adhesive under vinyl, it could indicate the presence of asbestos. Make sure to wear a respirator with the proper cartridge when removing it.
Visit a paint store or a flooring store to get advice. Flooring stores often remove tile or floor coverings to replace them with new tile.
Naptha is another option you could consider.
You know what’s amazing? Vinegar! Seriously, it can remove any sticky residue. All you have to do is soak some paper towels in hot water and vinegar, then leave them for about 5 minutes.
It looks like Goof Off might be a bit more powerful than Goo Gone. Not entirely certain though. Best of luck.
How about using some heat to help loosen it up? Maybe try a heat gun and a scraper
If you want to remove it quickly, you’ll need pure Xylene or N solvent.
I’ve been selling paint and glue for a decade
I’m pretty sure it’s F2 because of the glue
WD 40
Use a wet towel and an iron.
Seriously, why isn’t anyone talking about the possibility that this is black mastic glue with asbestos? Could this house have been constructed in the 1940s or 1950s?
‘t be fooled into thinking that just because your house was built in the late 90s, asbestos wasn’t used in its construction. Asbestos was once considered a great material, but now we know it can be dangerous. Some people used it anyway and may have suffered the consequences. If your home isn’t on a concrete slab, it’s best to assume there may be asbestos and take precautions. Covering it can help preserve your floors and prevent any potential harm.
The heavens are descending
The heavens are descending!
Tired of individuals proclaiming it’s asbestos with no solid proof
Only testing can confirm for certain
It won’t harm you. There are two varieties of asbestos
Because it’s not black mastic.
One of them has longer fibers, just like Einstein.
Asbestos was considered “awesome” when added to anything, right?.
Back in the day, people using mastic or installing linoleum didn’t really care whether it contained asbestos. Manufacturers included it for various reasons like fillers, binders, and improved flammability to meet certain building requirements.
No one intentionally added asbestos to products after they were manufactured.
During the post-WWII building boom, applying flooring to concrete slab with mastic was a common practice. It was the most effective way to attach non-wood flooring to concrete slab. Moisture-resistant linoleum and mastic were the preferred combination for slab houses, commercial spaces, and offices.
Oh wow, it’s probably like “the good kind of asbestos.”
I was actually trying to mention that houses were built up to the 90s. Anyways, feel free to do whatever you want, it could be a blessing in disguise. Do you have many friends?
Must be tough always being the one who knows it all.
Hey Rob! Take a second look at what was written. If you read it carefully, you’ll see there’s a hint that this might be black mastic and it’s worth getting it tested. It’s not just about the color – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
That’s not entirely true, it was actually banned and not supposed to be used. What a silly mistake.
Wait, you’ve really got me puzzled now! It seems I don’t have all the answers.
Hmm, I would say black mastic is more probable given the building’s age.
Take another look at my post. I mentioned that there is no definitive way to know without testing. The original poster did not specify when the home was built. You mentioned the 90s for some reason. Please provide any relevant information as clarification.
There are two different types with varying fiber composition.
Please work on your grammar. Your long sentences without punctuation make no sense. There’s no need to be insulting.
I never said don’t test. What I’m saying is that it’s probably black mastic, which has asbestos. So, it should definitely be tested to confirm that. I didn’t bring up the 90’s construction, but someone else did earlier.
It’s not black mastic. You’re a bit off base on that.
Hey, have you tried it out yet? Haha. You seem a bit lost on this topic, buddy.
Got it correct!
Steam mop
Alcohol
Even after 14 beers, can still feel it lingering…
Sometimes you can try getting a professional 6 inch scraper with a replaceable razor blade. Start at the outside edge of the glue blob at a slight angle and push slowly through the glue blob, taking about half an inch into the deposit. If you’re damaging the floor, stop and belt sand the glue, hoping it’s dry and not clogging the belt sander belt. I don’t like using chemicals, but sometimes it’s necessary. Carpet tool supply companies carry the scraper I mentioned, not big box stores.
My mother passed away and she resided with me. After thoroughly cleaning her room, we rarely entered it. A business sent me flooring to evaluate. I opted to put it in my late mother’s bathroom and was surprised to discover the latex backing of a bath rug had adhered to the floor! Using an oscillating tool, I was able to remove it effortlessly without causing any harm to the original floor.
Try searching on Amazon for De Solv Contractor, similar to goo gone but even more effective. You might also find it at Ace Hardware or Auto Zone. Just spray it on, let it sit for a bit, then use a scraper to remove it.
My mom used hot water and soaked it with a towel for a few minutes then used a plastic scraper, and it came right up
Heat gun
I found that laying down towels and ironing them was very effective for me.
Big thanks to 😊 The solution worked wonders!
Took me a minute to get that, 🤣 😂 😭
I really appreciate all the advice, thank you 🙏
Smoothing
My dad and I spent days on the floor with wood chisels. We purposely dulled them slightly to avoid damaging the floor. (Lightly rubbed on the cement)
Spray vinegar on it, let it sit, it will turn into a gooey texture. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape it off.
Citristrip
Sanding machine
You can find Klean-strip at Walmart for around $15, and it won’t harm the floor.
Warm water
Heat gun
Maybe you could consider using a heat gun? I’ve heard that a heat gun combined with a scraper can remove it, although you may need to refinish the surface afterwards.
Scrape and then sand
If you’re planning on getting the floors sanded, you don’t have to take care of it yourself, the floor guy with the drum sander will handle it
I grabbed a putty knife and got to work
Need a steamer?
Smooth it down!
Carve it out
Applying heat can help loosen the adhesive. Using a clothes iron and old towels is an effective technique. Just make sure the adhesive remains soft and is not sanded, to avoid any concerns about asbestos.
Have you considered using peanut butter?
Soak a towel in water and place it on the area for 10 minutes. After that, use a razor to scrape off the residue.
A little bit of elbow grease goes a long way.
Give Coca Cola a try, you might be pleasantly surprised.
I used a combination of wallpaper steamers and a putty knife to take mine off. It was a slow process but I got it done.
You could attempt placing something frozen, yet dry, on top of it. This could potentially make it rigid enough to peel off in one piece.
I believe this is a gel made from soy used as a mastic remover.