How to Faux Finish a Vinyl Floor

Old kitchen and bathroom floors can be unsightly. However, if you don't have the budget to replace them, a great way to revive them is to hand paint them to look like high end flooring.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water-based paint(s) in choice of color(s)
• Several natural bristle brushes in varying sizes
• Edging tape
• Container of polyurethane
• Paint thinner

1. Prepare the area to be painted by washing and drying the floor. Make sure the area is free of dust, dirt and pet hairs.

2. Map out any pattern on your floor with edging tape. Some ideas are checkerboards, faux wood planks, faux granite, stripes or a solid, distressed color. A good country pattern would be a faux rug with borders.

3. Paint the area with the water-based paints, paying attention to pattern and quality of color. You can blend colors to create a new tone.

4. Allow the paint to dry. The actual pattern or single color can be done in more than one session.

5. Apply a single coat of polyurethane, making sure to ventilate the area when you are done with your floor color and pattern. Give the top coat at least 24 hours to dry and avoid walking on it. Finish with a second coat after 24 hours.

6. Clean brushes thoroughly of any polyurethane with paint thinner.

Tips & Warnings

• Find ideas for patterns at a bookstore or library in the home and garden section.
• Try to add the top coat (polyurethane) soon after painting the floor, because walking on the bare paint can cause scuffs and dings.
• Faux finishes also work well on wood floor surfaces.
• When working with polyurethane, it is imperative to ventilate the work area. You must be able to open windows or remove yourself from the area if necessary.