How to Restore Fir Floors From Glue

Apply adhesive solvent to the glue. Allow the solvent to sit on the glue for 10 minutes or as directed by the manufacturer. Acetone, one of the main ingredients in nail polish remover, is also effective at dissolving old flooring glue. Don't worry about the solvent ruining the finish on the wood; you will be stripping that later.

Scrape up the softened glue with a plastic putty knife. Add more solvent as you lift up the glue; the solvent works best when it gets between the wood and the glue. Keep scraping and adding solvent until all of the glue has been removed.

Sweep up any dust, glue particles and other debris. Sand the floor with an orbital floor sander fitted with a 100-grit sanding pad. If you can't rent an orbital floor sander or are uncomfortable using such a heavy machine, use a hand-held orbital sander.

Sweep up the excess dust and discard it. Sand the floor a second time -- this time with a 200-grit sanding pad. Vacuum up the dust. This will kick up some of the dust; wait for the dust to settle, then wipe the floor down with a damp cloth two or three times to collect the finer dust.

Apply stain with a paint roller or a paint sprayer. Start with the outer edges of the room, but use a paintbrush for these areas. Work with the grain and wipe the floor with a clean cloth when you finish staining. When doing the main part of the floor, work with a partner: One of you should apply stain while the other wipes up the excess.

Coat the floor with a protective wood sealer, such as polyurethane, once the stain is completely dry. Apply the polyurethane with a long-handled foam or lamb's wool applicator. As with the stain, you must apply the sealer with the grain of the wood.

Allow the first coat of polyurethane to dry. Sand the floor with super-fine-grade sandpaper, at least 400 grit. Do this by hand to avoid stripping the new finish. Wipe the floor with a damp cloth. Apply three or four more coats of polyurethane using the same method.