Double Bass cleaning rosin off my hardwood floor

[camullen]

A few months ago I switched to very fresh Pops Rosin. For playing, the fresh was much better than the apparently ancient batch I bought from my local music store. The fresh stuff works quite well for me. After a few months I noticed many sticky little spots on the floor of my living room that proved to be rosin. This did not occur with the other (harder) rosins I have used.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to clean the stuff from my hardwood floors without taking the finish off the floor?

Thanks.

Craig Mullen

 

[sirero]

steam clean or at least wash the floor with hot water. you should be able to get the rosin close to its melting point before the stain on the floor gives.

 

[Mr.Phil]

Kolstien rosin remover.

 

[archetier]

You can clean rosin off of anything, including bass bows, with its natural solvent, alcohol. To prevent it from cutting to fast, apply first just a bit of mineral oil or other natural oil to a clean rag.

Rub rather quickly, with even pressure and don't dwell too much, otherwise this might cause the rag to stick to the surface leaving marks.

To restore and build up the finish on a bass bow, this will require "French polish." French polish is a traditional varnish that is based on shellac crystals, alcohol, and trace amounts of other materials. To do a fine job of this, it takes lots of practice. Perhaps this is better left to an experienced hand.

John Greenwood, Bowmaker

 

[camullen]

Is the alcohol ethanol or isopropanol?

 

[archetier]

You can clean your floor or your bow with either type of alcohol.

John

 

[Square Bear]

alcohol will do the job, but you may want to water it down a bit so that you don't mess up the finish. also, if you're having this problem, it means you are using too much rosin.