Sorta OT: Race Trailer weight loss, how to best remove linoleum floor? Options

[nine14cats]

I've been working on a refresh of our race trailer. It is a Timberwolf 19' enclosed dual axle. I've been pulling out old cabinets and repainting inside. So far I have removed 300lbs of cabinets that will not go back in. I am now turning my attention the floor.

It has old original linoleum over the plywood base floor. I have started pulling up and chipping away with my assortment of scrapers.

My question is: What is the best way to take up the old lino? I'm using a large 3 foot long handled metal scraper along with my assorted scrapers and putty knives. Truthfully, the putty knives work the best. That means several more nights of manual labor to get up the lino and then sanding it. I plan on epoxy painting the floor since it is lighter in weight than going back in with vinyl.

I don't want to gouge the floor and I am currently not using any chemicals to loosen the lino.

Any suggestions? Or is it just suck it up and keep chipping away?

Here's a pic...... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

Thanks!

Bill P.

[nine14cats]

Thanks for the inputs guys!

Tim,

I have one of those long scraper/putty knives with the 12" blade. It works really well where the glue had either dried out brittle or is gone, but that's mostly in the middle of the trailer. The edges are where the Timberlake factory must have really spent their glue budget. I agree with you, it makes quick work of big sections of floor. But I do have to be careful not to gouge out or separate the playwood underneath.

Felix,

I have given thought to replacing the floor. I was hoping to avoid it becoming another Federal project. The floor itself is in great shape. I'll see how the heat gun works on it first.

Thanks,

Bill P.