What type of paint should I use to paint a laminate floor?

Question

I am working on my special room dedicated to basketball. I installed laminate flooring and now want to make it look like a basketball court (half court- 2/5 scale) with key and 3 pt line.
I'm looking for a paint that will adhere to laminate flooring, hold up under fairly heavy foot traffic, and is available in red and blue colors.

Answer 1

You need to scuff up the area that you are planning to paint, so that the paint will adhere to the floor. As for what kind of paint, I would choose an semi-gloss so that it would be easier to clean. Oil based paints will soak into the floor and could cause damage to the underlying floor.

Answer 2

Laminate flooring is basically plastic coated. It's really hard to paint because most paint won't stick to plastic. But it can be done with some preparations first.
Step 1: wash the entire surface with TSP. I suggest you use the liquid form as opposed to the powder you need to mix. Not only is the liquid ready to use, but it isn't toxic like the powder is and you won't have to rinse it after you wash.
Step 2: Scruff up the floor before painting. Don't scratch it all up like someone else said. You would only do that if you were planning to glue another laminate flooring on top. Just use a medium grain to hard grain sandpaper (60 to 80) and go over the entire surface. I suggest you use a sanding block so as to make it all evenly scuffed.
Step 3: Paint the entire surface with an oil based primer. You don't have a choice here because it's the only kind of primer that will stick to plastic. Although it is a bit more work than latex paint, it doesn't smell as bad as oil paint and the great thing about it is that you can paint any kind of paint on top of oil primer, even latex!
Step 4: Choose the paint you want in any color you want. If you use oil paint for floors, it sticks like crazy and will smell for quite awhile. But it is made for floors and can be made in any color you want. You can also use latex paint (you won't have the smell, you can get it in any color and it is cheaper) but keep in mind that you will need to seal it with a transparent coat to keep it from scratching.
Step 5: Have fun... and keep in mind that with paint, it can always be changed for little cost.
Step 6: Play basketball!

Answer 3

I do not know of a way to paint a laminate kitchen floor. Due to the amount of traffic in that room, it would seem like it would wear off rather quickly. Your only real solutions are 1) to have someone install new laminate or do it yourself. I have done one laminate floor in my life. It wasn't very hard. You basically install paper on the floor and cut it to fit the dimensions of the room. You then take it outside or to the basement and cut the laminate to fit and glue it down. You may have to put 1/4" luan on the floor and nail it down. But rather easy as well. 2) Install tile flooring by installing a concrete or hardi backer board and laying tile. Tile work is easy, it is the cuts that make it difficult. Tile is fairly cheap. You can find tile for about $0.98 cents per square foot and you can rent the tile saw. I laid 4 tile floors and did 2 bathrooms in my current house. I believe I spent $300 plus my time.

Answer 4

I'd buy an oil based concrete paint, cehck your local paint store.

Answer 5

I would pick a brown because brown goes with just about anything.