Vinyl Out, Hardwood In

Tools:

orbital sander
small pry bar
hammer
dust mask, safety glasses and gloves
five-in-one painters tool
floor scraper
paint scraper
gloves
cloth
steel wool
mineral spirits

1. Start by taking the pry bar and removing any shoe molding that may be holding the vinyl down (figure A). Be careful not to damage the baseboard molding. Label the molding pieces as they're removed so it's easier to put them back when the project's finished.

2. Next use the floor scraper to pry up the vinyl and peel up as much as possible. Scrape with the grain of the wood so it's easier to clear up scratches later (figure B).

3. Remove the remaining vinyl backing with the floor scraper or a five-in-one painters tool. Scrape away any heavy glue with a paint scraper. Get as much of the adhesive up as possible to minimize the use of chemicals.

4. Sand down the floor with an orbital sander using an even pattern and a light touch (figure C). Use a medium-grade sandpaper; about 120 grit should do it.

5. Use a clean rag and mineral spirits to clean up the dust and small bits of debris (figure D).

6. Use steel wool to remove any remaining stubborn bits of glue. Finally, apply stain or polyurethane to maintain the finish.