apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

i recently removed some truly ghastly shag blue carpeting from my hallway and the even ghastlier lino lurking below that. What remains is the remnants of the tar paper over rather nice wooden floors. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to remove the tar paper? boiling water and a stiff scrub brush seemed to work on a small section i tried, but is there anything a bit more efficient? thanks.

Another removal question: Last night, while inspecting the paint in my apartment (we're painting this weekend), I scratched a spot on the molding of the door where the old paint was showing through. The paint slid right off. I grabbed a little bit of it, pulled - and it easily peeled right off in big sheets. gaaack! I think that there may be latex on top of oil.

What's the easiest way to get the latex off so we can just prime and/or sand the oil paint on the trim? Sandpaper totally wouldn't work because the paint's just rolling right off and chemicals seem too labour intensive.

question:

does anyone know where i can learn how to make lighting fixtures, lamps, etc. there are so many DIY fixtures on this site and i've got ideas! but no actual no-how. is there a class in this somewhere? anyone?

thanks.

To remove the tar paper you need to use adhesive remover such as "Goo Off" or the like. You can buy it in half gallon containers at any of those unnamed big box stores. It will take several iterations, and ventilation with proper masks is essential -- it produces substantial fumes. You can also try paint remover since I trust you intend to refinish the floors. You do need to get the muck up because it will stick to the sand paper, rendering it useless.

If you want to go a less chemical route, you can but a roofing/flooring remover, which is essentially a heav duty scraper with a long broom handle. Be careful with this device -- you can easily gouge the flooring you are trying to uncover.

cutie, why don't you search on www.diynetwork.com ?

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_lamps_shades/0,2024,DIY_13764,00.html

I'm going to answer my own question about removing latex over oil paint, just for information in case anyone finds this thread in a search: the answer was steam from a household steamer (I have a euro-pro shark). The paint peeled off in big sheets.