Finally tore up the peel-n-stick tile, and the 1/8" board it was on and got down to the original fir flooring in the bedrooms. Unfortunately they are 'painted' with what looks like tinted shellac.

Don't think my girlfriend is going to be too keen on me doing them myself this time around...

Anyone have experience on how much it may cost me per square foot to refinish the floors that are 'painted'?

I got a couple of quotes that were around $4.50/sq ft. Seems high to me. I think they are scared the paint will really gum up the sand paper so are inflating the cost.

Anyone have recent numbers for a similar project? (Oh, about 350 sq. ft - 2 bedrooms with closets.)

Thanks!
-Chris-

Invest in a can of denatured alcohol. Grab a few rags and try "washing" a little of the finish off with the alcohol.

If it washes off easily, consider spending a day on your hands and knees stripping the floor with alcohol. The estimate should come down a mile.

I took the shellac from my living and dining room floors with a mop and alcohol, then went over it a second time on my knees. I went through lots of paper towels and alcohol, and it took a weekend, but the total cost of the job was about $25. After that, sanding was easy easy easy.

If you make a 50/50 mix of alcohol and lacquer thinner the alcohol will evaporate slower and you'll get more use out of it.

I tend to strip this way with a rented floor polisher and nylon scrubber pads for it.

KEY- Wear a respirator and OPEN THE WINDOWS

Here is a link showing some pictures:

<a href="lhttp://foxcroft.blogspot.com/2007/03/im-on-vacation.html" target="_blank"> Stripping the floor </a>

Of course. Don't know why I forgot about testing with denatured alcohol.

So, I did test and it is indeed shellac. However, I have no desire to mop it all off my floor so I ended up getting a couple more quotes - one was $3/sq.ft. Trusted the guy but he said he didn't want to do a water based finish and looked as if he hadn't faired too well from sucking the fumes of what he has been using for "x"-years. Another guy sounded great, was very professional and worked out to about $3.40/sq.ft. Since he fell near the middle and was accomodating I went with him. Didn't hurt that he commented on the good job I did on the oak in the dining/living rooms. A little stroking goes a long way!

Anyway, work starts today. Just wanted to say thanks for the replies and give an update. Maybe I'll post some before and after pics when all is done.