Hello, I'm new to this. I just removed fifty year old carpeting from a 1910 craftsman with hemlock and douglas fir floors. The floors have the original finish. The red and black chunks in the padding stuck behind especially in the high traffic areas. I brushed the big stuff off, but there are still small tar like pieces stuck to the floor. I want to keep the original finish in tact. I tried denatured alcohol and it takes everything up, mineral spirits don't do much on the spots, but take up the old wax, simple green takes everything up also. I ended up doing more with soap and water, making sure not to let it sit on the surface, but it takes forever. Is there any easier way? No money to refinish yet. Thanks for any info. John

I am purchasing a home constructed in 1940 that has wood floors that appear to be in good shape but have been covered up by carpet. When the carpet was installed, tack strips were installed at the perimeter of all rooms to hold down the carpet. Will I have to refinish the whole floor in order to patch at the nail holes caused by the tack strip or is there some way around having to refinish the whole floor because of the tack strip? Thanks.