A Done with That® Project by Koper, America’s #1 Connected ContractorTM, Free Augmented Article©
Painted floors have an attractive, durable finish that is easy to maintain. A coat of paint is an inexpensive way to finish a new wood floor or rescue an old one that is too blemished for a clear finish. Thorough preparation before painting and patience between coats result in a long- wearing, beautiful floor.
Painting a wood floor is a colorful, inexpensive alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting or replacing a floor that is sturdy but blemished.
Because a floor finish must stand up to heavy wear, preparing the surface of the wood and choosing the paint are particularly important.
New wood floors must be lightly sanded where rough, dusted, and primed before paint ing. Floors that are already painted must be sanded lightly and then dusted thoroughly to improve paint adhesion. Patch and repair an older floor before sanding it. Fill cracks with wood putty and replace any badly damaged boards. Nail down loose boards and countersink the nail heads.
Flaking paint must be sanded smooth and any bare spots must be primed.
A clear finish, such as varnish or polyurethane, must be removed completely before priming and painting. The new paint must be compatible with the old. Removing a clear finish — or smoothing old, rough wood floors — requires three rounds of sanding, each using progressively finer sandpaper. After each round, the floor must be vacuumed thoroughly. After the final sanding, vacuum twice and damp mop the floor with mineral spirits. Regardless of the previous finish, go over the entire floor with a tack cloth to pick up any leftover dust just before you start painting.
Priming bare wood seals and prepares the surface for painting. Use a primer that is compatible with the finish paint you will use. You can also make your own by applying a thinned coat of the fin ish paint. It is best to use a floor paint that is specially formulated to stand up to hard wear and to follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully.
Painted floors offer a tremendous opportunity for your own creativity. Techniques for decorating a floor with exciting visual textures include stenciling, marbling, combing and sponging. Yoi can mark stripes and zig-zags with masking tape for dramatic effects, or even paint borders to imitate an ornate carpet.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Choose the right paint. Latex paints are good in damp areas, while alkyd enamels are long wearing.
To paint decorations on the floor, draw the lines with chalk and a straightedge and mask the areas with painter’s tape. Straight edges are easier to paint than curves.
Alkyd paints are best suited for decorative painting because they dry more slowly than latex.
A pale color on a floor brightens a room, while a dark floor makes the ceiling look higher.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Tools
1. Paint roller
2. Paint tray
3. Sanding block
4. Extension pole S. Sponge
6. Vacuum cleaner
7. Wide, medium and narrow paintbrushes
8. Parquet scraper
9. Bucket
MATERIALS
Household detergent
Sandpaper Tack cloth Primer
Paint
PLANNING
Remove furniture from the room.
Select paint type and color. Allow drying time between coats as sug¬gested by the manufacturer.
STEP-BY-STEP
1. Wash and rinse floor. Let dry thoroughly.
2. Repair cracks and holes, and scrape loose paint.
3. Sand until smooth.
4. Prime and paint
SANDING EQUIPMENT
For heavy sanding, consider renting an electric floor sander (left). A sandpaper belt is mounted on a rotating drum; belts are available in a variety of grades of coarseness. The rotating drum works quickly but can wear away the floor if not properly used. Keep the sander moving at all times to prevent damage to the floor.
Many electric sanders have adjustable speeds. The manufacturer’s in¬structions should explain which speeds and sandpaper grades are right for the type and condition of your floor.
A pole sander (right) works like a hand sander but can be used while you are standing. It is suitable for light sanding, such as smoothing out minor ridges or dulling a glossy paint surface before applying another coat.
Preparing a Painted Floor
1. Wash the floor with strong detergent. Rinse thoroughly and allow the floor to dry completely.
2. Scrape off old paint where it is flaking, loose or blistered. A sharp parquet scraper works well for this.
3. Sand the surface so the new paint will adhere better. Use a sanding block or machine and fine sandpaper.
4. Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove dust. Wipe with a tack cloth before painting.
TIPS
1. Unfinished wood absorbs moisture and dirt, so prime the floor as soon as possible after sanding.
2. As you paint, blend the edges of each section. This prevents uneven color after the paint dries, especially with alkyd paint.
3. Masking baseboards makes it easier to paint close to walls.
Caution
• Paint dust and solvents are flammable and can explode. Avoid smoking and any open flames when you sand or paint.
• Wear a face mask while sanding to avoid breathing the paint dust.
Preparing a New Wood Floor
1. Wash the floor and rinse well. Bare wood absorbs moisture, so allow for the floor to dry completely.
2. Sand any rough places until they are smooth, paying special attention to knots and ridges.
3. Vacuum the floor to remove dust, Wipe the whole surface with a tack cloth just before painting.
Painting the Floor
1. After priming, start painting in the corner that is farthest from the door of the room.
2. Continue painting with the grain. Always go back over the painted area to blend the paint.
3. If there is a gap between the floor and the wall, press the tip of the paintbrush into it while painting.
4. For better coverage, paint across the grain first. Always finish with strokes along the grain.
5. You can paint the edges of the room with a brush first, then use a roller to fill in the center of the floor.
6. Use a mohair or wool roller with alkyd paint, a synthetic one with latex paint.
7. Roll in a zig-zag pattern for thorough coverage. Finish rolling with strokes parallel to the grain.
8. Even with primer, paint tends to soak into a new wood floor. For a durable finish, apply a second coat.
9. Wait until the paint has dried completely before using the room. This may be several days.
Keep in mind that most paints are rated for 1 gallon per 400Sq. Ft of coverage, depending in the maker or the coating itself, it may not cover that area.
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