Stripping Shellac Floor

The gloss on a floor in an older home may not be the ubiqutous polyurethane but shellac which requires specific care.

Stripping shellac floor.

Removing shellac with a chemical stripper is an effective method that will not damage the wood. Removing shellac with chemicals. If you would like to try applying shellac yourself zinsser makes a french. But if the finish is shellac a natural nontoxic coating commonly seen in houses of this vintage stripping isn t necessary.

1 mop the floor with a strong solution of a wax cutting detergent and hot water. Shellac can be applied to the stripped and prepped surface by pad brush or spray. To remove shellac start by brushing denatured alcohol onto the wood surface and leaving it for a few minutes to start the stripping process. Shellac finishes were common on wood floors.

The downside to chemical strippers is their health hazards. Shellac finishes scratch easily and shellac isn t the most water resistant of finishes. It can be used to refinish hardwood floors or it. Shellac is a versatile non toxic wood finish that enhances the natural grain while adding smoothness without the plastic like qualities of polyurethane or lacquer.

It is non toxic dries quickly provided the product is fresh when applied can be tinted and is relatively easy to apply. Then put on rubber gloves to protect your hands and rub the shellac with steel wool to remove as much of it as possible. However you can achieve a good result on your own using virtually any stripping solvent to remove the shellac. Shellac has many advantages as a finish.

These types of chemicals can damage your lungs eyes and skin and are not healthy for the environment. Made from flakes of resin. Use this link for information on how to remove the finish yourself. That s because unlike varnish or polyurethane each new coat of shellac dissolves into the one before it so you can blend new into old without too much fuss.

There are also disadvantages. Varnish lacquer shellac and other clear coats are applied to protect wood furniture and flooring from scratches scuff marks and stains.