Coming unstuck
Laurika Kruger writes
We recently bought a house with wooden floors, which the previous owners had covered with Novilon. We have now lifted the Novilon and need to remove the adhesive before we can sand and varnish the wood. Any tips on how to remove it?
Frikkie Greeff, managing director of Woodoc, replies If the adhesive left on the wooden surface is black, it’s probably a tar or bitumen-type adhesive and can be removed with mineral turpentine and a sponge scourer. If, however, it is yellow or khaki in colour, it’s probably contact adhesive and you will need to use a specialist product.
makes a product called that works well; it’s available in most hardware stores.
Remove the adhesive as described above – the type of glue used will determine which process you follow.
When all the adhesive has been removed, wipe the floor well with mineral turpentine and a soft cloth.
Sand the floor to as fine a finish as possible, preferably with an industrial floor sander.
Clean the floor again with mineral turpentine to remove all the dust.
Allow the floor to dry thoroughly. Now you can seal it; select one of the following Woodoc products:
• Woodoc 25 Polyurethane Floor Sealer
is available in a matte or satin finish; it imparts a rich, natural colour to the wood and protects it from damage.
is available in either a matte or gloss finish; it does not alter the colour of the wood and it won’t yellow. It’s also quick-drying and virtually odourless.
Apply a liberal coat of the sealant of your choice on the floor with a good-quality paintbrush; make sure you have an even, wet finish. Allow the first coat to dry and repeat with a minimum of three coats. Please refer to the instructions on the product for more information.
Once you’ve applied three coats, your floor will be resistant to most bumps and scrapes. However, it’s best to avoid scratching the floor unnecessarily by, for example, putting felt on the bottom of dining chair legs which are often moved around.
To clean the floor, simply sweep it with a soft broom. Never wash the floor, especially not with soap and water as this will immediately dull the finish of the wood.
0800 411 200, woodoc.com