Hello AT,
I am planning on painting my wooden floor WHITE, but I don't like the low-tech funky feel described above. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance, Chucky
The "low-tech funky feel" is our very own experience, and we don't have a new one. However, we would be very interested in knowing what the "high-tech" non-funky way to paint your floors would be. For Chucky's sake, do we have an professional floor painter in the house? (Thanks, Chucky!) MGR
And, although it may sound obvious, the key is to use deck or floor paint. And, with all paint jobs, the secret to a professional finish is careful, methodical, exhaustive prep... sanding, filling, vacuuming, etc. Any corners you cut here will make or break the end result. Mostly break.
If you paint it using epoxy based paint, you get a sheet of glass as a finish. You also have to wear professional masks to protect your eyes and nose and mouth and you have a limited time to get it on the floor because after 4-5 hours, the substance turns into a brick, can no longer be applied, and must be thrown out. You also have to try to do it all at once, because you don't want any seams.
The alternative does not have to be that low-tech or that funky. Latex enamel that is epoxy modified is an outdoor paint and with enough coats, provides a very thorough coverage. I just did it and love it love it love it.
Check out "ArmorPoxy" (www.armorpoxy.com). I haven't tried this yet, but plan on doing a countertop with it. They claim it stays liquid in the can and is a one-part product. It's not quite as durable as the HVLP-applied isocyanate-free acrylic sprays but it sounds a heck of a lot easier to deal with. This is the only epoxy product I've seen that doesn't warn about using pigmented versions in food preparation areas.