Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Has anyone ever paitned old wood floors? Any suggestions?

8 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I'm all for painting old wood floors that are too far gone to be refinished. My floors are from 1850 and had so many layers of old paint refinishing was not an option. 1) scrape any loose material off 2) vacuum between cracks with shop vac. your roller will pick up anything that is stuck down there 3) wash floor and allow to dry 4) prime floor with oil based primer 5) using a brush and roller paint with oil based floor paint.

    I've tried paint that wasn't floor paint for color reasons, but it didn't work worth a damn. Be prepared to stay off of it for at least 24 hrs. Oh yeah, make sure your dog can't jump over your barricade or you will be painting more floor than you thought.

    Source(s): personal experience
  • 1 decade ago

    Personally I love the idea and it is not terribly difficult depending on what you want to do. First you'll have to sand and clean it well then apply floor paint with either a smooth roller or a sprayer, then if you want to be creative after it dries use stencils and paint to create a lovely border or faux area rug then after that's dry seal with Varathane at least 2 coats sanding lightly in between and there you have it a fresh and lovely floor. Mop with 1 part white vinegar and 1 gallon water to keep fresh and protect the finish.

  • 1 decade ago

    Get very clean and use oil based primer and paint. use paint made for floors. Spray on would give the best look, using a no shed or lint free roller would be faster that brushing. Don't be suprised though if it ever peeled. The flexing of the wood is enough to make it crack and peel. Refinishing would be best. Good luck

  • 1 decade ago

    I personally would not ever paint old wood floors unless it is in such poor shape to begin with. I would rent a floor sander and make it like new, stain and clear coat it.

    If you insist on painting it (even in the "old" days people did that)

    I would paint the whole thing in your favorite color and then paint a faux rug, trompe l'ouie type work.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You'll probably wished you'd stripped it down to the bare wood and sealed it , stained it and polyeed it, instead of painting it. No matter how good the paint job is, it will wear in the traffic areas.

    If you must paint it, strip it down to the bare wood, seal it with a sealer, then apply two to three coats of good quality enamel paint, in the finish you prefer (gloss would probably not look too good). Best of luck!

  • 1 decade ago

    I started stripping old paint from a wood floor. Too much work, and too much fumes.

    I got floor paint from Mills Fleet Farm for under $20, and I love it.

  • 1 decade ago

    Don't do it! Old wood floors add character to a house or room. I'd finish it instead.

  • 4 years ago

    the final thank you to REFINISH wood flooring IS TO SAND THE flooring FIRST. come across a condo midsection THAT RENTS floor SANDING MACHINES. THE gadget might desire to have A BAG ATTACHMENT to assemble THE airborne dirt and dirt FROM SANDING...or you will might desire to moist MOP the floor to get rid of THE airborne dirt and dirt....that's a soreness...pass to a house midsection ...settle on in case you want STAIN, VARNISH OR POLYURETHANE....stick to instructions on your selected PRODUCT

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.