1200 sq feet of urethane and it's a total disaster.

Home was built in the 40's. It is my only source of income.
Hardwood floor has been sanded by previous owners ... several times as some of the groove edges have popped and the slope of the wood under the trim.

A few years ago, a contractor "sanded" it and put down shellac. Don't know why.

I screened it with 60 grit and used paint thinner to "lubricate" so it was dustless. The new renters were coming from the East and on their way. I used 6 screens on 1200 sq feet. Since some areas are cupped, I did not remove all the finish. I think I'd have to sand the floor to get all the finish and there isn't enough wood for a sand job. The cans of urethane are at least 2 years old.

Being a genius, at 3am June 19th after working since 8am on the 18th, the previous day, my daughter took the roller (I know..) and urethane and I proceeded her with clean rags of paint thinner to pick up dust. Put fans on and went home.

Next day, it was tacky.

Renter's arrived and it was awful. I now pay for their hotel room.

Called flooring people and have been told:

#1 using paint thinner was stupid because it leaves a residue and the urethane will never cure.
#2 lambs wool is the applicator not a roller.
#3 the urethane was too old.
#4 just turn the heat up and apply fans (did that)
#4 take a cloth and apply denatured alcohol to help the floor dry. (did this with an immediate wrinkling of the surface urethane)
#5 burn the place down and start over.
#6 re-sand (it's gummy...? )

Being a genius, I thought I'd try to remove the urethane with denatured alcohol. Seemed to work, but very slow. It would take a week to remove it all. It was applied thin, thick, not at all, in different places.

I did use a fine mist sprayer to douse the floor with a coat of denatured alcohol. Some places wrinkled and others it didn't change.

My current thinking:
A. if the denatured alcohol is working, i.e. drying, keep it up and keep the fans on.
B. If not, paint remover, gallons of it, remove it all and then what???

I'd appreciate, more than you would believe, any help or suggestions.
Thank you.

Thought I'd never say this but.....Carpet it and forget it.

I second that. Carpet it, get the renters in.

You're right.
I know that.
I just hate to admit it.
Thank you for the help. I guess I just needed to hear it from pros.
Thank you again.

Ok, I thought I should be respectful and give you the result.
After trying denatured alcohol to dry it, fans, 90 degree heat, it was clear that I was screwed.
5 gallons of paint stripper $130, every inch done at least 3 times to get it all, screened with denatured alcohol as a lubricant/dust inhibitor/shellac remover (bottom coat) and a mere 5 days x 18 hours. Death wish.

Reading and reading about floors, shellac, urethane, polyurethane, Minwax, etc, etc, etc... I decided that on shellac. Mainly because it's pretty idiot proof (I'm qualified) and it drys fast. With the renters in the hotel at $100 a day, time was important. Repairs should be easier to deal with.

I used Zinzer, 1.5 pound cut for the first coat. Then 3pound for the last two. The floors are beautiful...everything is relative.
I put down a couple of Persian rugs and the renters are happy and going to be there 3 years.

Costs:
The 8 days they were in a hotel cost me $900.00.
The stripper and other materials, $300.00.
Lost time to complete other projects, $1000.00.
Mental and emotional fatigue, priceless.
Medication for mental health and fatigue, $100.00
Lost opportunities, $2000.00.

ROI -400% Payback will be in eons.

Moral: Listen to the inner voice. It will certainly screw you up.

Conclusion: Next time, IF there ever is a next time, a bunch of oiled rags, open cans of thinner, gas, explosives and a candle in their midst. Colllect the insurance and move to Costa Rica.

Thanks to you all for the help, the truth and being there. It means a lot.

Just when you think you've heard it all....thanks for the update. Holy toledo !