Carpet Underlay Removal

Afternoon,

A novice question regarding removing the leftover carpet underlay.

The situation is I own a 50's place with dark hardwood floors, 20-30yrs ago they were covered up very proffesionally by carpet, the weekend just gone saw me removing the carpet, 'tacking stips' and underlay only to find that in the high traffic areas the rubber from underneath the underlay has stuck to the floorboards. I scraped most of it off on Sunday but am left with a residual sticky covering over 30% of the floor. Also there is some slight marking from this on the floor. Considering that the floor is already polished is there a way to get rid of the rubber without removing the laquer.

Obviously I trying to avoid sanding it all back and starting from scratch as below the rubber residue the floor is in great nick.

Turps and elbow grease or is there an easier way?

Cheers
Leigh

Tried a heat gun and a paint scraper? That's how I got the old vinyl off ours. It was days of work but worth it. heat guns in are only about $25 in Bunnings.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gumby

heat guns in are only about $25 in Bunnings.

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I went through 3 of them before I decided that spending $60 on a Bosch one was a better proposition....:rolleyes:

I don't think a heat gun will get all of the goo off - you will still be left with residual muck that there is no other way but elbow grease - maybe try some of that cirtus cleaner instead of a petroleum based one - might be more pleasant to live with.

There used to be stuff you could get call "Tack Off" I think. It was great for removing the tacky stuff left behind after you pulled a label of something. Not sure if it is still around and no idea were to get it from but it was great and I think may suit this purpose.

It will eventually be the babies room so I may give some citrus based cleaner a go this evening. Thanks for the ideas.

Leigh