Wood has one irreplaceable quality - when it loses its former beautiful appearance, it can be restored.
It is almost impossible to do this with other materials, such as linoleum or laminate. They will have to be replaced. But a wooden floor can easily be repainted. And it will look like new again.
Step one: remove the old coating
Many people prefer to simply paint the boards over the old paint. Sometimes this is a justified measure, but it is still better to remove the old layer so that the surface looks perfect again.
There are two most convenient ways to remove old paint: chemical and thermal.
The chemical method involves using a special remover that softens the paint, after which it can be removed with a spatula. It is important to remember that only one layer can be removed per application.
If there are several of them, as often happens in old houses, then the composition must be applied several times.
Some people use a sander to remove the coating, but this method is not always suitable.
For example, oil paint sticks to the grinding wheel, quickly rendering it unusable.
It is best to use the thermal method. To do this, you will need to heat up a small area with a construction hair dryer and remove the softened paint with a spatula. You can borrow a hair dryer or buy an inexpensive household model.
Step two: sealing the cracks
Boards tend to shrink in size, creating gaps. Also, holes from knots, cracks and dents can form in the wood. These need to be filled with wood filler and allowed to dry.
Step two: sanding
To level the surface, the boards will have to be sanded. It is best to use a sanding machine.
First go around with a large abrasive, then with a small one. If you don't have a machine, you can use sandpaper. It's longer and more difficult, but it will still smooth out the unevenness.
Step four: prepare the surface for painting
Before painting, you need to thoroughly clean the floor from dust. You can vacuum it well, then wipe it with a damp cloth and let it dry. It is important here that the boards do not absorb a lot of moisture.
It is necessary to paint on a completely dry surface.
You also need to paint the baseboards in advance and cover them with masking tape to avoid getting them dirty.
Step Five: Painting
You should start painting from the far corner of the room, moving towards the door. The paint should be applied along the grain of the wood. It is best to use a roller, as a brush can leave streaks and light spots, especially if you are inexperienced.
If you apply a primer to the surface, paint consumption is reduced.
Instead of regular paint, you can use so-called oils - coloring compounds that impregnate the wood without forming a layer on its surface.
This allows you to repair the damaged surface point by point. For example, if the paintwork is damaged in some place, you need to sand that place and repaint it without touching the rest of the floor surface.
