[DangerMouse]

Cut it all up into 1' or 2' squares and do a parquet style pattern?

DM

 

[DangerMouse]

Now, on to the cleanup. I've done some experimenting, and it looks like denatured alcohol or liquid stripper are going to be the easiest way to clean things up. Dunk the boards, let them soak, scrape off the crud. The longer they soak, the easier they are to scrape, and it appears we can reuse it for a while.

Now the questions: if we leave the crud in the liquid between batches will it lower the effectiveness over time? Should we strain after every batch, after every few batches, or just not bother until there is a lot of it in there?

If they sit overnight in it will the boards warp or become damaged in any way?

I'd almost guarantee it. If it were me, I'd use a jelly type like Strypeeze, and reuse it as many times as it allows. Use 6" putty knife to scrape and flip sections over to the next area to strip, then off to the garbage. Or get a large sander and a few different grits. Or a planer with a LOT of fresh blades, because the finish will dull them super fast.
You have quite the project there!

DM