Posted by Glenn/SFC on August 02, 19102 at 06:35:36:
In Reply to: Refinishing an OLD Hardwood Floor posted by Michael on August 01, 19102 at 20:01:35:
Your instincts are good. Sanding with a 16 grit open paper would remove the "tar-like" adhesive. However, you need to be aware that many of these asphaltic adhesives can contain asbestos fibers. You could have it tested beforehand; that would at least let you know what you're dealing with. Solvents will drive the "tar" into the wood fibers. I wouldn't use those. You are going to have to refinish this floor somehow after you've removed the adhesive, so the existing finish, whatever it now is, will probably be history.
Jeff Hosking's advice to a poster on another discussion board may be of interest to you. It suggests using dry ice to remove this type of mastic. See the link below.
After you carefully remove the bulk of the mastic, refinishing sould be reasonably safe for you and your floor. Wear an approved respirator when sanding any product. Particulates, whatever they might be, are not good things to take up residency in your lungs.