How to Repaint Flooring

Painted floors add a distinctive and unusual touch to decor, but over time, the paint begins to wear and flake. This makes even the most attractively furnished room appear run down and unkempt. Repainting the floor may seem a bit intimidating, but it can be done successfully if care is taken to prepare the floor. It's also important to allow each coat of paint to dry thoroughly before you add another and before you resume normal household activity in the room.

Paint scraper
150-grit sandpaper
Bucket
Powdered laundry detergent
Primer
Natural bristle paintbrushes
Floor enamel

Instructions

- 1
  Use a paint scraper to remove flaking paint.
- 2
  Sand the entire floor with 150-grit sandpaper.
- 3
  Add 2 tbsp. of powdered laundry detergent to a bucket of water.
- 4
  Damp mop the entire floor with the detergent solution, until all residue is removed.
- 5
  Wait until the floor has dried well before you prime or apply paint. Read the instructions on the floor enamel to determine if primer is necessary. Apply primer, if necessary, with a natural bristle paintbrush to ensure an even application. Allow the primer to dry before you apply paint.
- 6
  Use a natural bristle paintbrush to apply a single coat of floor enamel. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours before you apply another coat.
- 7
  Follow with two additional coats of floor enamel. Wait 24 hours between applications.
- 8
  Wait approximately one month after painting before you move furniture or allow walking across the floor in high heels, so the enamel has time to harden completely.

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