If your linoleum kitchen flooring is looking old or worn out, or if you're simply interested in changing the appearance of your kitchen without making significant renovations or repairs, painting the flooring can be a great option. By painting the linoleum flooring, you can change the color and design of the floor. This can have a major impact on the overall aesthetic of the room. Painting linoleum kitchen flooring is an easy project that can be done at home and without any prior experience. Read on for a brief guide on how to paint linoleum kitchen flooring.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
- Medium grit sandpaper
- Mop, bucket, and ammonia
- Oil-based primer
- Masking or painting tape
- Oil-based paint
- Brushes and rollers
- Optional decorations (stencils, patterns, etc.)
- Face mask
- Oil-based polyurethane
Step 1 - Prepare the Kitchen Linoleum
The first thing that you'll need to do is to sand down the surface of the linoleum. You're not trying to remove the linoleum by doing this, but simply to remove the protected outer layer of the surface of your kitchen floor. This will allow you to more easily paint the floor. Make sure that you sand down the floor evenly.
Open a window or a door to ensure ventilation in the space, then mix equal parts ammonia and warm water in a bucket. You can also wear a face mask while you work, if ventilation isn't possible. Continue by thoroughly mopping the floor with this mixture. Continue until there are no traces of dirt or grime on the floor.
Step 2 - Apply Primer
Apply an oil-based primer to the surface of the floor. Lay the primer on evenly using a paintbrush. Make sure that the layer of primer is thin and completely free of holes or blemishes. The primer must also be oil-based so that it properly repels water and prevents the area underneath the linoleum paint from becoming damaged when spills occur. Allow the primer to dry completely before you continue.
Step 3 - Prepare to Paint
Before you paint, it's a good idea to set up masking or painting tape in strips along edges of the linoleum. This can help to ensure that you don't accidentally paint the wall or surrounding carpet or floor fixtures. This is also a good time to set up any stencils or patterns that you'll use to give the linoleum a unique appearance.
Step 4 - Paint the Floor
Using rollers when appropriate and brushes for more detailed work, paint the floor with an even layer of the oil-based paint. Allow the entire floor to dry completely before you apply a second coat. In most cases, 2 coats will be sufficient to cover the surface of your linoleum flooring appropriately.
Step 5 - Apply Polyurethane
Using a paint brush, apply a layer of polyurethane over the dried paint on the linoleum floor. This will further help to protect the floor from water and other types of damages and will extend the length of the paint life considerably.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
