Hello! I recently bought a house that is 120 years old. Unfortunately, it's been carpeted. I was really excited about seeing what is under the carpet and I found a decent wood floor, but there is this white paint-like stuff that is only around the perimeter/edges. Is this some kind of glue for the carpet pad? Also, it's only on the main floor and not upstairs at all. Thoughts on what this is? Thank you!
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You may be able to dissolve this coating with alcohol if it is shellac so it could clean up. It may be related to how the painter worked while painting the walls.
Sanding the floor will remove all the white unless it got down into cracks between the boards.