So you ll need to use wood floor cleaners specifically formulated for this type of finish.
Refinish a wood floor with shellac.
The gloss on a floor in an older home may not be the ubiqutous polyurethane but shellac which requires specific care.
Shellac will come right off.
Thomas assesses the finish on an inconspicuous area such as a door edge below by rubbing it with denatured alcohol.
If nothing comes up it s an oil based polyurethane or varnish.
Brushing on shellac requires a fine natural or china bristle brush.
Shellac has many advantages as a finish.
As with any wood floor refinishing project 90 percent of this job is preparation.
Use a two or three pound cut of shellac and apply generously with long smooth strokes.
Step 2 strip the old finish photo by wendell t.
But if the finish softens and doesn t come off it s a water based polyurethane.
For the best result possible removing the old finish and applying a new of course you will want to bring it to us.
The term shellac comes from the family of lac insects which secrete a substance that was discovered centuries ago to work as a wood sealer.
When a shellac finish needs restoration it s possible to apply new material directly over the old because like lacquer shellac amalgamates and the two.
Expect to spend at least one full day on this prep work for refinishing hardwood floors.
Removing shellac from wood floors.
Since shellac dries quickly be careful to avoid drips or blotchy areas when applying because unlike other finishes you will likely not have time to over brush to eliminate the blemish.
You have to thoroughly clean the floor touch up any deep scratches and roughen the existing finish with sanding screens so the new finish will adhere well.
Shellac is a wood finish that has been used for centuries.
When shellac finishes get wet they develop unsightly white rings.
How to care for shellac floors.
Shellac finishes scratch easily and shellac isn t the most water resistant of finishes.
Shellac finishes were common on wood floors.
There are also disadvantages.
If your floors get a scratch it s an easy job to touch them up though.