Decorating Painting Painting Tips How to Paint Linoleum Floors or Vinyl Flooring Disguise dated vinyl flooring with these tricks from the pros. By Hannah Bruneman Hannah Bruneman Hannah Bruneman is an editorial associate at BHG.com. Her contributions focus on home renovation and decor trends. Her work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal, Southern Living and more. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 12, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Stephen Karlisch Project Overview Working Time: 5 hours Total Time: 2 days Skill Level: Intermediate Ordinarily, painting linoleum floors or vinyl flooring isn't recommended. The surfaces don't accept paint well and are likely to be dirty, stained, or waxed, further inhibiting paint bonding. Plus, painting floors won't hide holes or dents. If at all possible, tear up old flooring and replace it. But maybe you absolutely have to have a quick flooring fix for a single event and aren't worried about long-term durability. Or you need a quick makeover until you're able to work new flooring into your budget. In that case, you can dramatically change a room's look by painting vinyl. Learn how to get the best results with our step-by-step instructions for painting vinyl flooring. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools 120- to 220-grit sandpaper Sanding pole Clean cloth Paint roller Materials Paint Liquid deglosser Painters tape Primer Instructions Doug Hetherington Prep Floor Before painting vinyl in sound condition, test the paint on an inconspicuous spot and let it dry completely to make sure it will look okay when complete. If you're happy with the color, sand the vinyl with 220-grit sandpaper to dull the shine. Editor's Tip: Consider using a sanding pole to avoid sanding on your hands and knees. A sanding pole tool looks like a floor duster, but it has sandpaper on the end of the pole and is easy to use. Apply a good amount of pressure to buff your linoleum floors until smooth. Doug Hetherington Apply Deglosser Once your linoleum floor is sanded, wipe it clean. Use a paint roller with an extra-long adjustable handle to apply a liquid deglosser to the floor's surface. This layer will improve bonding with the paint. As you degloss linoleum flooring, begin at a corner or wall opposite the entrance to the room and work your way back. This way, you won't end up in a corner with no way out. Once you've finished deglossing the floors, let them dry according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Doug Hetherington Prime and Paint Vinyl Floor Before painting vinyl flooring, prep the room. If you're planning to paint the trim, line the walls with painters tape. First, prime vinyl flooring with one layer of primer. Next, use the extended roller brush that you used to apply the deglosser to apply primer, using the same technique. Once the primer is dry, brush on one or two coats of your paint. You might find it easier to use a hand brush for painting the edges of the room for better control). Allow time in-between coats to dry. Once you're finished priming and painting linoleum floors, carefully remove the painters tape from the trim.