Things You'll Need:
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Sand paper
- Tack cloth
- Paint, (2 shades of brown)
- Wood graining rocker tool
- Polyurethane sealer
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Step 1
Assess the quality of your subfloor. It needs to be flat and secured without any surface warping or damage. If the damage to the subfloor is minor, you can fill the cracks and crevices with wood putty, then sand down the subfloor to prepare it for painting. If the subfloor is not in good shape, consider replacing it or adding a layer of Luann subfloor on top of your existing subfloor. Luann is typically used as an underlay for kitchen and bathroom linoleum floors.
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Step 2
Prepare your subfloor for the faux wood treatment by cleaning the wood, removing all the dust and residue from sanding. If you skip or skimp on this step, your paint will soon peel.
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Step 3
Next, apply a primer/sealer to your subfloor. The primer will allow the paint to properly adhere to the floor. You can use any brand of primer/sealer, but allow it to dry thoroughly.
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Step 4
Paint the subfloor the darker shade of your two colors. This first color should have a red or yellow undertone depending on what kind of floor you are mimicking. Allow the coat of paint to dry for 24 hours or longer before continuing. Floor paint used to paint porches will be most durable.
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Step 5
The second coat of paint is a bit more tricky to apply because it must be done quickly. You need to paint a line about the width of your wood graining rocker tool and then immediately drag the wood graining tool over it while rocking the tool slowly back and forth.
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Step 6
Use several layers of polyurethane to seal the floor. Be sure you allow each coat to dry completely. Use the floor as little as possible for several days to allow the sealant to cure.
