DIY Network

Refinished Linoleum Resurface your worn linoleum with an artistic flair! From "B. Original" episode DBOR-145

Craft a fun, fabulous floor from old linoleum.

You can give an old, worn-out linoleum floor a new life with this project from B. Original host Michele Beschen. She shows how to strip the glossy finish off your old linoleum, add creative paper collage and dress the entire piece up with paint and polyurethane sealer.

If you're tired of your dated linoleum, try Michele Beschen's techniques for a floor with artistic appeal.

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Materials:

TSP Plus or similar concentrated de-glosser/degreaser
bucket and rags
waterproof gloves
pre-wallcovering primer
paintbrushes and/or rollers
torn recipes, pictures or other papers to apply to floor (optional)
wallpaper paste (unpasted-wallpaper type)
paint
oil-based polyurethane

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• You need to break down the old linoleum's glossy surface before you apply any new designs. To do this, use a concentrated de-glosser or pre-paint cleaner and degreaser, such as TSP Plus. Mix it with warm water according to the manufacturer's instructions, and use it to scrub down your surface. Let the linoleum dry before proceeding.

  Safety Alert: Wear gloves when using TSP Plus or any other powerful cleaners or degreasers. Also, always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding room ventilation and other precautions.

• Prime the entire surface with a pre-wallcovering primer (figure A). Let the primer dry and allow the proper cure time according to the primer instructions.

• If you plan to use paper collage on this project, prepare your pieces now. Michele Beschen used recipes and pictures, which she tore to give them interesting rough edges (figure B).

• Apply a wallpaper paste designed for unpasted wallpaper to the back of the pieces and adhere them to the linoleum.

• Smooth down each piece as you go with a wallpaper brush, squeegee or similar tool (figure C).

• Allow the pasted pieces time to cure according to the instructions on the wallpaper paste.

• Paint your designs on the linoleum and allow the recommended drying and curing time (figure D).

• Apply four coats of oil-based polyurethane to the entire surface.

You'll have a tough, beautiful piece of artwork beneath your feet!