How to Embellish Vinyl Floors by Painting

Figure E

Materials and Tools:

1 cup ammonia
1 gallon water
painters tape
acrylic primer
paint roller
pencil
sea sponges
2 paper plates
2 colors of paint (terra cotta and cream for this project)
paintbrush
blow dryer
decorative tiles
acrylic floor polish
soapy water

Figure A

Steps:

1. Before priming, the floor must be absolutely clean. Remove any wax or polish. Rinse down with a solution of one cup ammonia and one gallon water. Dry completely.

2. Tape off the base of cabinets and appliances to protect them from the paint.

Figure B

3. Apply an acrylic primer (that you've tinted gray to mimic grout) with a paint roller.

Figure C

4. Lay out grid. Find the center of the floor, then mark off in 12-inch increments. Draw lines and place tape on the same side of the line each time so that the tiles are even. Use any width tape, depending on how wide you want your grout line to be. One-inch tape looks good and is easy to find. Be sure to press down firmly on the edges of the tape so paint won't seep underneath.

Figure D

5. Use sea sponges and paper plates to apply paint. Pour each color of paint into each of the plates. Dab on with a bouncing motion. Don't wait for one color to dry before applying the other; apply both wet so they can be completely blended. Look to make sure no two tiles have the same look.

6. To get under the cabinets, apply paint with a brush, then blend with sponge.

7. Let dry thoroughly.

8. Remove tape with a blow dryer, which will neutralize the glue and soften the edges of the paint for a crisp look.

9. Finish by applying two to three coats of acrylic floor polish. Repeat every two to three months. Clean with soapy water.