Comments on: DIY: paint your linoleum floor white

By: kathy

kathy — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:31:19 +0000

I painted my linoleum 15 years ago using an old-based floor paint. It has held up very well. Am getting ready to paint it again. The only drawback is that it is a solid color and the texture collects dirt in the grooves. I think the next coat will fill it some of those depressions to make it easier to clean.

By: LB

LB — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:50:06 +0000

In reply to Lauren.

I’m not an expert in this. I can only tell you what I used, and it was just a regular water-based floor paint. It was over ten years ago now so I assume much different things are on the market now. I can’t guarantee success! I just know I liked it… Perhaps someone else has some advice? As for Jill’s warning about asbestos, that is something to think about. However I very carefully roughened the linoleum with paper – there was no discernible amount of dust if I remember correctly. And then I wiped the floor down. But of course if you don’t know what’s in the linoleum, wear a good mask and gloves! Or don’t sand it!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:45:55 +0000

Tried to call Home Depot – they have never heard of paint specifically for linoleum – just for concrete. What type of floor paint was used? Trying to do this myself but want to do it right.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:40:57 +0000

Please note, that anyone linoleum installed prior to 1987, may have asbestos so you should NOT sand it as recommended in many of the above posts (according to Linoleum Lacquer’s website). This makes me wonder if a floor paint will adhere. Has anyone used either the floor paint, or Linoleum Lacquer without sanding in a high traffic area such as the kitchen? Does it withstand the footsteps without flaking or chipping? What is the lifespan?

By: LB

LB — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:39:05 +0000

In reply to Laura. Can't answer that. Anyone?

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:47:20 +0000

Will linoleum lacquer hold up or not? I really, really need to know. Cannot afford to waste money!!

By: LB

LB — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:54:41 +0000

In reply to kiki. DO NOT use exterior paint inside! Tip. It doesn't dry the way interior paint does, had a different, weather-resistent tack and texture. May off gas. Don't do it!

By: kiki

kiki — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:48:40 +0000

anyone have an opinion regarding the use of exterior latex on a linoleum floor? i’m in a rental with linoleum throughout, love getting deals on mis-tints, thought it might an option since it’s likely to be durable/bonding.

By: LB

LB — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:59:55 +0000

In reply to Nic. Hey, thanks for this Nic! Very helpful. This post still gets hundreds of hits after all this time, and since I haven't had linoleum in a while, I haven't kept up with products.

By: Nic

Nic — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:57:52 +0000

I’ve asked this question for years since we live in a rental house with awful linoleum bathroom and kitchen floors. I tested a bunch of paint and methods and nothing seem to work in a way that I trusted would last at least a year. I did one last google search and found this stuff called Linoleum Lacquer. It works on linoleum and vinyl and I think laminate (or is that the same as vinyl). Anyway, they have tons of colors, we chose gray. It took about a half hour to prep and we covered it in 1 coat. The worst part is obviously not getting to use your bathroom for 24 hours. The result was gorgeous though and its been almost a year. The gloss from the vinyl is still there and since we painted it a gray color it almost looks like polished concrete. We’re really pleased.