Removing a Polyurethane Finish from Wood Flooring

Polyurethane is a finish that is applied to wood flooring to protect it. However, after several years, polyurethane will break down and require that you take it off of the wood in order to refinish it. Sanding and refinishing your old wood floors can make them look like new again. However, you can not do that until the polyurethane comes off. Here are the basics of how to strip the polyurethane off of your old wood flooring.

Step 1 - Prepare for Stripping the Floor

During this process, you are going to be working with a polyurethane stripper. A polyurethane stripper is a caustic substance that can hurt you if you are not careful. This means that you will need to wear rubber gloves and safety goggles. This should sufficiently protect you from any problems with the stripper. 

Step 2 - Ventilate the Room

This polyurethane stripper also releases some pretty serious fumes. The last thing that you want to do is work with it in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. Open the windows and the doors of the room. You should also get a fan going to move the air as well. This should help protect you from the dangerous fumes that the chemicals will emit. 

Step 3 - Apply the Stripper

Once you feel confident that the room is well-ventilated, it is time to apply the polyurethane stripper. Use a paint brush and dip it in the stripper. Then use the brush to apply the stripper liberally to the floor. You want to make sure that you use even strokes and apply it to the entire floor. You do not want to flood the room, but you want to make sure that the wood is covered pretty well. The stripper will create a chemical reaction that will take the polyurethane right off the floor. Therefore, you do not want to skimp. 

Step 4 - Scrape it Off

Allow the stripper to soak into the polyurethane finish for a few minutes. Then take a metal scraper and run it along the wood floor. This should effectively remove the polyurethane finish from the wood. If some of it is stuck, you may have to apply a little bit more stripper to make it completely come off. 

Step 5 - Sand the Floor

Once you have done your best to scrape off all of the polyurethane, you need to sand the floor down. This will help remove all of the traces of polyurethane as well as get you a smooth surface to work with. Sanding the floor will get you down to the raw wood again. From there, you will be able to stain, paint, or seal the wood to your preference. Sanding will get pretty dusty so make sure that you take the proper precautions to protect your house from getting covered. 

Step 6 - Clean the Floor

After sanding, take a broom and vacuum and remove any extra dust from the room. Once this is completed, you should have a clean wood floor that is free of polyurethane.