Can old hardwood floor be painted or stained without sanding?

Question

I have old hardwood floor. Can I paint it without sanding? Since sanding will cause a lot of dusts. What kind paint or brand you recommend. Appreciated.

Answer 1

Floors are a whole different ball game even some urethane's aren't recommended for floors, they take alot of abuse. A primer like Zinseers 123 isn't a good idea for a floor don't get me wrong it's an excellent primer just not for floors. Like one answer said once you do this it's going to be real work to go back to a natural stain so here we go, seeing since you want to keep the dust down and want to paint and I'm taking it you want quick & easy fix. Buy yourself a pole sander at any good paint store along with a sleeve of 60 grit sandpaper and pole sand the entire floor to roughen up the urethane thats on the floor, scuff it real good, then put a good quality floor & porch enamel and make sure it's an oil based 2 coats or go one step up and go with an epoxy floor paint it's your pocket book, Good luck Les the painter

Answer 2

To get a good uniform stain or paint, it's best to do a good prep and that includes sanding. Yes, it's dusty but you can minimze by hanging heavy plastic curtins in doors to minimize the spread and using machines with dust catchers. Sanding for painting need not be as perfect as sanding to refinish the wood.

Before sanding fill in all the boo boos with a putty that matches the wood. Even if you are painting, you still need to fill in holes, cracks and gouges.

With painting you'll need two coats of color and multiple coats of polyurethane.......up to four or five.

Realize once it's been painted, going back to stain will be....difficult to say the least.

Answer 3

Adrienne, sadly there is no easy "fix" for it. All the trouble would have been saved had they used a drop cloth or been more careful. I would NOT recommend using a heat gun. While it may make it easy to remove the paint, it will also remove the floor finish as well. Harsh solvents may also affect the floor finish too. I am hesitant to suggest using acetone because it is a fact it will affect the floor's coating but it softens most types of paints. You are out of luck for an easy fix. I think I saw someone say a putty knife and patience.... I lean that direction but anything you try is going to affect the finish.

Answer 4

If you want to stain, the old surface must be removed by sanding, for the new stain to adhere evenly. If you want to paint, the old surface needs to be smooth and non-glossy. A good primer such as Zinser 1-2-3 provides a good undercoat on almost any surface. Then paint.

Answer 5

I also have wood floors that I am anticipating getting redone. I think they can be painted, but why. They can be restored back to their beautiful past with just a little work, (that I plan on having someone else do) :)

Answer 6

Yeah ofcourse you can.
But sanding will bring out the colour when you farnish or paint your floor boards.

Answer 7

you will have to sand to get rid of any old sealant, wax or varnish, polyurethene.
You can rent a floor sander that is very easy to use and keeps dust down.

Answer 8

You need to sand it to remove old stain/poly products first. Trust me!

Answer 9

if there is any oil residue, or laquer, or shellac left on the floor, the I dont think KILZ would cover it....it would flake off....best wet sand....very little or no dust......good luck