Depending on whom you ask, linoleum is paintable

Dear Sandi: My daughter just moved into an apartment that has an ugly colored kitchen floor.

We painted a linoleum floor some 30 years ago, and I can’t remember the facts on doing it. If you have the answers, I would sure appreciate it. —Grace S., Salem

Hi Grace: First, let me apologize for not getting back on your question sooner. Art and I were on our bi-annual buying trip in Germany when your question came in, and it was put on my desk. Without going into the grim details, just let me say that things put on my desk are done so at their own peril.

Anyway, this was a subject that I really didn’t have much information on.

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I talked to a couple of remolding contractors who thought it was a tricky bet as to whether or not paint would stick to a linoleum floor with any permanency. However, after doing a bit of research, I found you can paint over this type of floor with a good chance of long-term success.

First, I would try to scratch it up a bit, taking away as much of the slick shine as possible. Any rough-grade sandpaper would work fine for this, and if you use a sanding block on a long extender, it will be a relatively easy job.

Next, you need to apply a primer. I am sure that there are other brands that make something equal to the Glidden brand, but that is the one that was recommended to me. It is a product called Gripper. Follow its directions.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

The next step is to apply a porch/floor paint. Again, the one recommended to me was made by Glidden, but you could do some checking around on the brand. The folks I talked with assured me that if you followed the directions carefully, this combo would stick to anything.

As far as a sealant, again, I would check with the paint department where you are getting your paint to be sure the product you are buying is compatible with the paint you are using. Basically, you are going to want to apply at least three or four coats of whatever you are using because a kitchen generally gets pretty hard use. Most floor sealants now are available in everything from a soft matte all the way up to a high gloss, just depending on your own preference.

I don’t know what you have in mind for your floor, but before settling on just painting it one color and sealing it, I would take a look through some of the numerous books now available on faux and other painting techniques. Although some of the procedures are somewhat complex, quite a few of them are easy, even for beginners. You could make the floor look like marble, aged wood or granite. If imitating nature isn’t your thing, there are limitless options on creating stenciled designs, borders, stripes and checks and just about anything else you can imagine. Spend a little time looking at a few of the books that specialize in these techniques before you get started.

That’s it, Grace. Hope this has been some help. My last and strongest recommendation is to spend a little time with whomever you choose to buy your paint from. These guys (and gals) are a wealth of otherwise little-known information.

P.S. We would love to have a before and after picture of your project. October 29, 2004