I have old foam rubber padding stuck to a hardwood floor, how can I remove it without messing up the finish?

Question

I have old foam rubber padding stuck to a hardwood floor, how can I remove it without messing up the finish?

Answer 1

try dabbing turps a little at a time ,use an egg slicer to prise up the backing as you go along

Answer 2

first of all try peeling as much of the padding as you can off by hand. I would be cautious of using chemicals on your floor, but depending on how well it is sealed, you could use everyday houshold cleaners to try to loosen the adhesive on the padding... if the floor has a good coat of laquer or polyurethane on it.  i'm not really sure the circumstances, but just be careful and take your time. if the floor is not finished at all then I would just scrape it off, and then sand the wood with a fine grit (150-200) and then finish the floor.  try not to get bare wood wet at all. if you do, again just sand it and it should be fine.