What You Need To Know Before Painting A Floor

No matter the surface, floor preparation is key to successfully painting a floor. Regardless whether it's a newly installed floor or a make over, making sure the floor is clean and prep for paint, should be the do-it-yourselfers first step.

It is highly recommended that the remodeler scrapes the old paint off. Scraping off any old floor paint, is best accomplished with a metal putty knife. For larger areas, a floor scraper and pole. It is advisable to mention that a floor sander not be used.  Especially if the previously paint was lead based paint or latex paint. When a floor sander makes contact with a lead base paint, the friction between the two creates a smoke or haze. Inhaling the fumes or smoke is hazardous to your health. If the surface happens to be latex, using a floor sander is costly. When heated, latex paint becomes gumming and sticky. Forcing the consumer to pay high prices for floor sander replacement pads. Old fashion elbow grease, is a do-it-yourselfers best bet, when prepping a previously painted floor. Once all old paint is removed, it is time to wash the exposed surface.

Washing A Floor Prepped To Paint.

Whether the floor is concrete or wood, the best way to wash a floor prepped for paint, is by using a product called TSP. For normal cleaning jobs, dirt removal and the removal of mold or mildew on exterior surfaces, mix 1 cup of T.S.P. with 1 gallon of warm water. For heavy cleaning, double the mix ratio of T.S.P. to 1 gallon of water. Scrub areas, from the bottom up, with a sponge or stiff brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Do NOT mix with bleach.

The all-purpose cleaner is used by professionals prior to painting interior and exterior surfaces. It removes mold and mildew. Also de-glosses surfaces that are oil-base painted. Ideal for cleaning garage or basement floors. May be used to restore dried, used paintbrushes. After the surface has been cleaned and well dried, its time to start painting. It is recommended that concrete be given a full 24 hours to dry before painting on the primer coat and wood 8 to 24 hours depending on wet the surface got.

Paint Selection

In order to begin, paint selection is required. After all the time and energy, put into prepping a floors surface, the last thing a consumer wants to do is choose a paint with low adhesion properties. A floor's surface needs to be tough and resistant to scrapes, scratches and foot activity. An average person applies 500 pounds per pressure, with each step they take. Using a combination of Primer and Paint guarantees a long lasting outcome. Applying a paint primer, before painting a floors surface, is highly recommended.

When painting wood floors, it is highly recommended that an OIL based primer is used. Followed by a LATEX porch and floor paint. Oil based primers penetrate deep into wood fibers creating a sealed in side the wood. Latex paint is a breathable surface allowing the sealed fibers to expand and contract. Using Latex paint over oil is an industry standard. But never use oil over latex. Latex polymers are water based, where oil paint polymers are petroleum based.

When painting over concrete it is highly recommended that an LATEX Based Primer is used. Followed by a LATEX Porch and Floor paint. Concrete needs to breath and expand also. It acts like a sponge when absorbing moisture. Since latex is expandable, it is the best choice to use on a concrete floor.

If you are painting a floor a dark color, it is recommended that the do-it-yourselfer use an eggshell, semi gloss or gloss sheen. Since darker paints take more pigment than lighter paints, darker paints have a tendency to leave chalky streaks after washing off the surface. Dust and dirt also tends adhere to flat surfaces making washing a very a difficult task. The end result usually leaves the home owner unhappy after a long Saturday afternoon of hard work. Using a semi gloss or variance should be the consumers pick.

Fill in Holes and Cracks

Any nail holes, impressions, indentions, nics or cuts need to be filled at this time. The best putty for this task, which adheres to all different types of surfaces and is water resistant, is "Hard Rock Putty". A Do-it-Yourselfer can usually purchase this product, after finding it in the paint or floor prep sections of your local hardware store or lumberyard. Hard Rock Putty is an inexpensive item that gives outstanding results. Hard Rock Putty is quick activing an very durable. To even out the Hard Rock Putty and make it smooth, feel free to use a fine grit sanding sponge or paper. Hard Rock Putty poured into a wooden plank template has the ability to take on the appearance of a newly replaced floor plank and it can be used to replace old, rotten, porch floor planks.

How to Paint a Floor

Actually applying primer and painting a floor isn't that daunting of a task. The hard part is over.

If you are a good painter no masking will be necessary. Just make sure you use a good synthetic brush to cut in around the base board and into the corners. I recommend, after you have cut in using a brush, follow up by using a 7 inch smooth roller and pad and working it into your cut line. That way you have a wide-berth between you and the base board. Once you are standing and rolling the rest of the surface with the same 7 inch roller, now attached to extension pole or handle that allows it to be screwed on at the end. Pour the primer into a clean 5 gallon bucket and attach a paint grid facing inside the bucket, so all excess paint will drip back into the unused paint. Take your paint roller and dip it into the paint located in the bucket. Roll the pad across the paint and start painting the floor. Good luck and enjoy your newly painted floor.