Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - kitchen floor

My kitchen floor is covered with old vinyl over partical board over 3" wide yellow pine. I'd like to rip up the vinyl and P.B. and refinish the pine. The problem is that when they put down the PB they used what appears to be a tar based substance to hold it in place. What can I use to get rid of the tar so I can clean the pine up? Would a sander work or would that just get clogged up? I appreciate any tips/suggestions. Many Thanks.

dougd

Years ago I had a floor that a good client of mine wanted to know if I could do anything with. It was a 3.25" yellow pine T&G floor covered with a tar type of glue that held down old vinyl they had taken up. I used an expanded metal disc that goes on the bottom of a floor buffer sanding plate. They call it a scratch pad for removing foam backing off floor left by glue down carpet. It will shave off the tar type glue but quickly gums up. I found if I put gasoline in the bottom of a drum and soaked it for a while that I could wire brush off the crud. I ordered 5 of these discs and as they gummed up I would throw them in the drum to soak. When they were all gummed up I would wire brush them off and do it again. It is time consuming but the tar kept water from damaging the floor and they ended up looking like new when I was finished. Clean off as much of the crud as you can and drum sand the rest off with 24 grit sandpaper until the floor is clean. Then go to 40 grit until the scratches are gone and then 80 grit til smooth. Buff with 100 grit sanding screen and it is ready to finish. The expanded metal discs for the buffer can be bought at AMARK INDUSTRIES 847-647-7393 . About $16 plus shipping each. Put an old coarse sandpaper disc under the metal disc to protect felt on buffer sanding plate. More refinishing info can be found at the NOFMA website.
Good Luck, AL