I have a small wooden staircase that was tiled with old vinyl tile. I removed the tile but am left with a black tar-like adhesive covering the stair treads and risers. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to remove the adhesive? I will most likely install new self-adhesive vinyl flooring over the stairs that mimics a hardwood floor unless I can remove the glue and expose the original wood staircase.

Try contacting www.sspenviro.com they make an environmentally friendly adhesive remover which may not damage the wood like a more caustic remover would. ther are other similar companies out there but I dont know their names offhand. I have used this company'y product for removing the cutback adhesive prior to setting ceramic. It worked fine. All floors should be rinsed free of any cleaner residue to improve the bond of the setting material.

There is no mention of the old vinyl tile containing asbestos which I have read is pretty common. We have lots of old vinyl in our house.

Pat

Sometimes you can remove this glue by using what is called MINERAL SPIRITS found in the paint department. However, you would need to give it enough time to completely dry out before gluing any more tile down on this staircase.(it will not let the new tile stick unless it is completely evaporated)

I have the answer i have done a 400sq. ft. room and had the same problem dont us strippers i have tried everything believe me dont laugh but water works pour a small amount about a 4in. sq. let sit for about 5 minutes and if it looks like it is turning to mud yours is like mine it takes a while but use a putty knife and scrap up it might take a couple of times but it works I have used a steamer to but it gets on the walls you just have to keep wiping them

The black glue you are talking about use to be called Cut Back. It is almost impossible to get it completely removed. If your serface is level why not use 1/4' plywood nailed down over it and then ad whatever tile or rug you want to use. Much faster and easier.

being in the wood floor business i have dealt with this all to often, water may work but spirits are faster, pour let sit and scrape off or do what i do and sand/grind it off with a coarse abrasive followed by fine paper for a smooth finish and finish the staircase with a polyurethane.

Folks I just went through the whole removing old asbestos asphalt tile thing from our basement floor. ( 700sq ft ). I did much research consulting over five flooring professionals of various experience. A 30 year experienced flooring pro suggested a Non Toxic Mastic (or Cutback) remover called " Citrus King". It is pricey stuff, but will not run your family out of the house with the smell of many of the petroleum based solvents. Other citrus paint strippers at Lowes & HD did not remove the adhesive. Check out the product that worked for me at www.citrusdepot.net Follow directions. FUN ! Weekend Warrior Handyman of America Local 303

I found that a wallpaper steamer works wonders! No chemicals, you don't have to take the laminate off first, and no airborne asbestos. See more about it on my blog kacisramblings.blogspot.com