Anyone know how I might remove haze or film left after removing glue splotches (Bostik's Best) from my just installed Mannington engineered hardwood flooring? I've used mineral spirits, Bostik's Urethane remover, rubbing alcohol, and an assortment of goop removers. I also have a light haze left from some of the blue tape used to hold the boards tight.

Looks as if I have freckles all over the finish. ANY help greatly appreciated!

Never an easy task to clean a floor that has urethane adhesive on it.



Using those could be the problem. I've never seen them suggested by any manufacturer. It could be permanent. Try using the mineral spirits again--not in large quantities-- Dampen a rag and rub heavily. It may take a lot of time to remove your freckles.

I have the same problem. Our installer left my upstairs floors totally smeared with Bostiks Best adhesive througout. What I've learned since, is that flooring installers who know and care about what their doing have a can of mineral spirits or paint thinner on hand and damp rags within arms reach at all times as they install the flooring. They did have a can on hand as they installed the flooring. Only problem was, it was empty! Even before they used the little bit of it up that was there when they started the job, they did not bother to wipe up the glue in the first room installed until 2 or 3 days after the flooring was set. After that, the empty can remained sitting upstairs over the course of time that they installed the rest of the floor.

All I can tell you is what I have had to do, paint thinner and a lot of elbow grease, over and over again, and many hours on the knees. There still seems to be darker splotches is some areas that I have not been able to get out of the ceramic pre-finish. Sometimes, with another (and another) application, and more rubbing, they finally come out. I would appreciate hearing more suggestions from experienced folks on this problem.

EDITED By Administration: No reason to mention names

When I have used urethane adhesives, I tried very hard not to get it on the wood or on my hands but no matter how careful I was, it still seemed to get on the flooring. I would clean as I went along and at the end of the day. I would spend a fourth of my time cleaning ! And still, at the end of the job, there would always be some adhesive here and there. IMO, this is utter BS. Why we cannot have an adhesive that is easy to use, easy to clean, doesn't warp the flooring and is reasonbly priced is beyond me! It's time to go back to DriTack! Urethanes SUCK!

I always have a rag with mineral spirits handy!

I too, clean my hands after troweling glue and everytime I feel that finger accidently drag through it. I wipe up as I see it. But as Gary said, you'll find some.

That is why I spend the next morning, pulling my blue tape(taking small pieces and marking glue spots I see when pulling tape). Dry wipe the floor(this usually gets the tape residue). Then I start in a corner looking into a window to get the glare, and wipe up any glue smudges, that are seen in the glare, and where I spot taped when I removed the blue tape.

I don't miss many, but I'll be the first to admit, I'm human.

I'd have fired that guy a lot sooner then you did!

Thanks- appreciate the comments. Spoke with a local installer and he suggested trying charcoal lighter fluid. Sounded a bit bizarre, but with a lot of elbow grease, have had pretty good results. Just made sure to follow quickly with a damp cloth.

Hi all-

Okay, the charcoal lighter fluid has removed a good many of the remaining white hazy spots on the floor, but still WAY too many for my sanity. Any thoughts on using a product to recoat the flooring? I think Mannington has one called NuFinish? The reason I ask is when using the Bostik's Urethane Adhesive remover, there was a shiny oily finish in which you couldn't see these spots.

Since these products are meant to restore the luster to flooring, will they "fill" the areas where the finish was eaten? Can I renew the finish with it being newly installed?javascript:emoticon(':?')

Thanks again for your help!

I tried using mineral spirits but still had spots on the flooring. I then used MAGIC ERASER by Mr. Clean. It is a soft white spongelike material and is nonabrasive. Does a good job on the spots. Will take pencil marks off white indoor paint.

I recently attended a seminar where the topic of tape adhesive marks came up. The gentleman told us about the blue painters tape being distributed is not all the same quality. The 3M painters tape is the only one that was recommended for use over pre-finished hardwoods and ones with aluminum oxide wear layers. The other companies were losing money to the 3M brand and decided to just color their masking tape blue to confuse the buyer and offer it at a lower price. This adhesive will not come off most surfaces. He said the wear layer will be removed by using chemicals to get this residue off the floor. Some urethane adhesive can be removed from the surface after it is dry. Mannington's moisture cured urethane will not come off. Once it is dry, board replacement is necessary. Hope this helps.

How can you miss Manningtons adhesive?? It is lime green, for god's sake!


I love it!! I can keep a job very clean as I go, unlike the brown and beige adhesives. I have to catch what I miss the next morning... As I pull blue tape

I feel your pain. However, there is a solution. Fine steel wool pads, grade zero and Murphy's Oil Soap. Then wipe with a dry cloth and buff to polish. It works GREAT!!

do NOT use Murphy's on that floor....never ever use murphy's near wood floor or you'll be crying about the haze on the finish AND you can't recoat with that slime on it!