Black sticky stuff remover

[edlentz]

About 30 or so years ago my in laws put vinyl tile over a red oak floor. At the time I don't think they did drugs . They are both gone now and we want to restore the oak floor. The black stuff looks like tar paper but there are lines in it like it was some kind of mastic. What does anyone recommend to soften this stuff? Does anyone remember an adhesive like this? I have about 120 sq Ft to get this stuff off of.

Thanks for any suggestions1

[jimbo]

Sounds like regular cutback asphalt adhesive. Two problems...(1).it may contain asbestos. (2) it is removed with Jasco adhesive remover, or mineral spirits. Both are very nasty and would best be done using an air fed respirator, or at a minimum a VOC respirator mask. The mineral spirits are quite flammable, and great care would have to be used in doing a large area. NO PILOT LIGHTS going anywhere, massive fresh air ventilation using fans.

[edlentz]

Thanks for the info Jimbo. We can ventilate quite easily. I see that HD carries the Jasco stuff. We'll probably get started tomorrow.

[edlentz]

We found the Jasco stuff and it is nasty stuff as was said. We also found Desolv-it Professional. This stuff is Citrus based. This stuff is better than the Jasco stuff. It takes a little longer, but it is safe to use anywhere and will just about remove anything.

Thanks for the push in the right direction!

[jimbo]

Thanks very much for the follow up.