Discover the straightforward process for refinishing an aged wood floor during this attic space transformation.
The initial look of these newly painted floors was quite unexpected; see how they first appeared in purple!
Even though the initial hue was surprising, it successfully covered the wear and tear of the attic room's prior flooring…
Refinishing Old Wood Floors with Limited Paint Supply
1. Apply a primer base coat over the previously stained planks.
The specific color is less vital than ensuring the paint adheres properly and prevents the old stain from showing through.
Consult your neighborhood paint supplier for suitable paint recommendations.
2. Apply the final color coats by using a 'washing' method.
Purple wasn't my ultimate goal; I desired a deep, dark 'panther' shade, but only possessed a small sample. For a cost-effective approach, I employed a sign-painting technique: 'washing' the color on.
3. Method for washing paint to achieve your desired finish:
Here is how the paint washing technique was executed:
- I filled a cottage cheese container halfway with water. After lightly dipping my brush into the water then the paint, I quickly worked across the boards, 'washing' the color on. Because this method dries fast, I focused on blending as I went.
Despite the poor quality of this photograph, it illustrates the technique I utilized. It was remarkable how a small quantity of paint completely altered the floor's appearance.
{The board on the left shows the wash, while the others remain untreated.} After applying the first washed coat, I still retained more than half of the small can of paint!
One section of the original floor remained in good condition, situated in the corner beneath the built-in shelf. I chose to preserve this area to maintain some of the floor's 'history'. {Imagine the dust is cleared from the image below.} Here is the final shade alongside the original color I aimed to replicate.
After the first coat of washed paint is entirely dry, apply a subsequent coat.
This technique proved highly effective for this economical renovation.
As shown in the final reveal post of the Attic Room Before and After Makeover, a large area of the floor ultimately received a substantial rug.
If you intend to use this method on an old wood floor that experiences heavy foot traffic, applying a clear sealant afterward would be prudent.
