How to Remove Lacquer From a Floor

Dampen a rag with lacquer thinner and moisten a small area covered with the lacquer. Allow a few seconds for the thinner to work. Protect your hands with rubber gloves.

Wipe the lacquer up from the floor with a ball of fine steel wool. Look to make sure the lacquer has dissolved before moving to the next section of the floor. If the lacquer still remains, apply a little more thinner and wait a little longer. Don’t wait too long, or the solvents in the lacquer thinner will dry, leaving the dried lacquer finish.

Move on across the floor, moistening the lacquer with the thinner, waiting and then scraping the dissolved lacquer off with the steel wool until you have removed all the lacquer. Turn the steel wool often, and use a new pad once the old is filled with the gummy lacquer.

Wipe down the area with a clean rag dipped in denatured alcohol to remove any traces of the lacquer and to smooth out the surface.