Dried latex paint on polyeurathane hard wood floor

[funkybutt]

How can I get it off without damaging the floor. There's quite a bit of it and it's been ther for months.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Go to the hardware store and buy a few disposable plastic putty kinves .....

..... and scrape it up. There's a good chance it didn't stick as well to the laminate as it does to a properly prepared surface. It may well be stuck, but I'll bet it can be scraped up. The plastic scrapers shouldn't harm the hard laminate.

[Kolesar]

2. And if it does not pop up with the plastic scraper, try an electric heat gun

...at varying levels of intensity and then scrape it. If the plastic scraper is not good enough, try a steel scraper or 5-in-1 tool (which is quite stout and has rounded corners). Coarse steel wool may be the last step. If you end up scarring the varnish, you probably can fix it by buffing it with fine steel wool.

I suppose you could use paint remover in small amounts for a short period to remove the last bits. I have had good luck removing latex paint by soaking it in TSP / trisodium phosphate, which is essentially automatic dishwasher detergent.

[NMDemDist2]

3. i don't know if this would hurt the finish but it sure takes up paint easily

I'm a little confused about the floor, is it wood with a glossy finish or laminate?

if it's laminate this will work great

[funkybutt]

4. It's real wood that's been sanded down and sealed

with polyeurathane

[NMDemDist2]

5. ok, then I'd read the Goof Off label carefully but I have used it on

lots of surfaces with good results.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Some sites with info

AZDem's advice is probably the best. The sites below also recommend using a paint remover product.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0607394416359.html

http://www.411homerepair.com/ideas/Painting_Wallpaper/removingPaint.shtml

And, if the sealing on the flooring is penetrating, this site states:
http://www.thehome.com/harfloor.html
Penetrating Seals: (acrylics, oils and waxes)

Oils and waxes usually have a satin or matte finish. If you can feel the wood grain when you run your hand across the surface, it's most likely a penetrating seal. Paint remover will have no effect on a penetrating seal, but wax stripper or ammonia will soften and whiten the surface. Oils and waxes penetrate the surface of the floor protecting the wood from within.

However, another product that may work well for you is Oops!

From what I've read online about this product by people who have used it is that it doesn't affect the finish.
http://www.jasco-help.com/products/cleanersremovers/index.html

[funkybutt]

7. This Group Rocks!

I never expected so many helpful responses. I will try these ideas and post an update next. week.

Thanks!