How to Paint Laminate Flooring

Do you have old laminate floors? Instead of spending a fortune on new flooring just paint it. Follow this step-by-step guide to save you a bundle. To paint you laminate flooring you will need a few things.

Materials:

Painters tape
3 paint pans
3 rollers
1 Paint brush
Primer
Acrylic Paint
Polyurethane (waterbased)
Painters pole (optional)

The first step is to tape all floor boards in the room you will be painting. Once you have the floor boards covered you will need one of your paint pans, primer, paint brush, and a roller. You can begin by taking your paint brush and cut in with the primer. In other words, paint around the corners and the rest of the perimeter of the floor with your primer. Next pour your primer into a paint pan and you will begin rolling the primer onto the floor. You have the option of adding a painter's pole to your roller. This will make your job easier. You may want to start priming on the opposite side of the doorway so that you can work your way toward the door. This will keep you from getting stuck in a corner.

Once you have the entire floor painted you will need to wait until it is completely dry. When the primer is dry you will need to repeat this process with the acrylic paint. Paint the corners, perimeter, and then roll on the acrylic paint over the remaining surface. You may need about two coats of acrylic paint to cover the floor completely for a good even tone. Make sure you let the floor dry between each coat.

The next step is the key to making your painted floor last. Once the paint on the floor is completely dry you will need to start painting the corners and the perimeter with the polyurethane. Finish rolling on the polyurethane over the floor. You will need about four to six coats of polyurethane on the floor. Make sure you let each coat dry completely before applying a new coat. Remember to start on the opposite side of the doorway each time you apply a coat. Four to six coats may seem like a lot, but the polyurethane is what protects your actual paint from chipping or scratching off. Once your final coat of polyurethane is applied you should let the floor dry for 24 hours. This will help the paint cure solid and then you can move back any furniture into the room without incident.

Resources:

Sherwin Williams

DIY Network