How to Paint an Old Floor That Was Covered With Linoleum & Wood

Prepare Linoleum Portions of the Floor

1). Wash linoleum portions of the floor, using a mop. Rinse these areas, and allow them to dry for about an hour or two.
2). Abrade linoleum portions of the old floor, or the primer base won't stick. Sand these areas until they feel slightly rough to your hands.
3). Wipe the linoleum portions with tack cloths.

1). Sand varnished wood portions of the floor until the old finish looks dull. To prevent splintering, sand along with the floor wood grain.
2). Sweep the wood, using a broom.
3). Wipe the wood portions with tack cloths.

1). Coat bare wood and abraded linoleum portions of the floor with latex primer, using a roller. Coat stained wood portions of the old floor with shellac primer. Let these areas dry for two hours. Touch up the floor, using a paintbrush. Use a synthetic brush to touch up the latex primer. Use a china brush to touch up shellac primer. Let these areas dry for two hours.
2). Wash each tool, using the appropriate cleaning agent. Choose water for tools used to apply latex primer; choose denatured alcohol for those used with shellac primer.
3). Paint the primed portions of the old floor as you primed them. Use a floor paint; apply it using a roller and synthetic brush. Let the finished surface dry for four hours before stepping onto it.