Prep for painting hardwood floor (previously varnished).

[rarara]

Am looking to paint a maple floor in a lounge (please don't suggest leaving it natural ) that has previously been sanded/varnished, with what I believe was a solvent-base polyurethane.

What sort of floor paint is recommened - water, oil based etc?

Is a primer needed?

What sort of prep - keying sufficient?

Thanks!

 

[chappers]

a decent clean and sand, both water and oil based are available I would definitely prime according to the recommendations of the manufacturers of the paint you choose.
I know you said don't suggest leaving it natural, but can I ask why not.

 

[rarara]

I know you said don't suggest leaving it natural, but can I ask why not.

it just doesn't look good within the room itself, when alongside our furniture, fire surround etc - its quite dated looking

 

[chappers]

fair enough, to be honest if you want it back it should be possible to sand the paint back off

 

[Doggit]

I'd go for an oil based undercoat and top coat for wear strength. You'll need to prime it first with an acrylic primer, then 2 coats of undercoat, and then at least 2 coats of topcoat. That would be fairly standard for most woods, but being a floor, you don't want the paint to wear too quickly. But have you thought about a stain instead. Maples fairly light, so should take a stain easily, and then it's up to you whether you varnish it again to get a good wear surface, or just leave it stained and natural.

 

[rarara]

I'd go for an oil based undercoat and top coat for wear strength. You'll need to prime it first with an acrylic primer, then 2 coats of undercoat, and then at least 2 coats of topcoat. That would be fairly standard for most woods, but being a floor, you don't want the paint to wear too quickly. But have you thought about a stain instead. Maples fairly light, so should take a stain easily, and then it's up to you whether you varnish it again to get a good wear surface, or just leave it stained and natural.

can i ask why an acrylic primer if the stuff going on top is oil based?

also, is the primer and undercoat you suggest a specific floor version? (previously primed and painted pine, but can't remember what primer i used )

 

[Doggit]

Most primers are okay, so maybe I shouldn't have said acrylic, just used to it; and I don't think it raises the grain as much as water based one do, so only needs a lighter sanding afterwards.