How do you paint over a vinyl tile floor?

I heard you can paint over it, but how do I prep it so that the paint will stick? Keep in mind that it's a FLOOR.How do you paint over a vinyl tile floor?
Oh, where to begin.





First, only paint it if you don't mind having to repaint it ALL THE TIME. Vinyl flooring is extremely flexible. Paints specifically designed for floors are more brittle than traditional paints..even the latex ones. Have you ever put a candy coating on a cake? That's kind of similar to what you'd be doing with putting a floor paint onto vinyl flooring. You're putting a hard coating over an extremely flexible substrate. It will not hold up, will dent easily, and lwill ook HORRIBLE very quickly.





There are more flexible paints on the market. But they're not designed to be walked on. So you'll stil have issues with upkeep and it looking awful.





If you've really got your heart set on doing this, prep it by first stripping off all the polish/wax with a good degreaser. Next, you'll need to scuff up the vinyl with some light sanding. (You're not sanding it off, just scuffing it up.) Then you'll need to wipe off the dust with a slightly dampened rag. Then prime it with a product specifically designed for good adhesion. The best adhering primers have pretty hot solvents. Which will tend to melt your vinyl. (Yes, it's a pretty ugly Catch-22.) Then, apply a floor coating. Do NOT coatings that are not specifically designed for use on floors and especially do not use exterior wall paint. Wall paints are not designed to be walked on and will not hold up to the type of abuse they'll receive on a floor.





I would NOT recommend painting over your vinyl flooring. Vinyl is really pretty cheap. Remove the old stuff, buy some cheap newer stuff that looks decent and lay it. It will last MUCH longer than painting, will look much nicer for significantly longer than the paint, have less up keep, and will likely take similar amounts of work and money. In the end, if you're using similar amounts of money and your time/energy regardless which you elect to do, you'll come out with a more durable product if you just replace the vinyl.How do you paint over a vinyl tile floor?
I've been thinking of staining a concrete floor...just a thought for your problem...good luck!

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I don't think that you can do that - the paint would come up when you washed the floor.
you don't, you'd have to replace it.
There are alot of good answers here, but the bottom line is....


The paint won't last, and you will be doing it over year after year after year after year, get the idea.


Just bite the bullet and tile right over it (if you are unable to remove the old floor). The self sticking vinyl squares are very easy to cut and to apply.


Go for it, it's easy.
You all have to be f-ing kidding me?!!!!


Think people... please!


The simple answer is NO!


All these notions about primer, sanding stripping, etc are ignorant


Vinyl tile.... think about what it is made from. It is a petroleum based synthetic fiber, bonded with resins. These materials will slowly and continuously ';off-gas'; and degenerate over perhaps 20 years. Really old vinyl tile is like a tortilla chip.


The volitile compunds will interact with ANY kind of paint applied to them, primer or not.


Stop being lazy...remove the tile, etch the sub-base (if it is concrete) and apply a reputable two-part epoxy floor coating.


If done correctly, it will last 50 years.
apply a latex primer first then paint the color you wish.
Have you went to DIY website and click remolding homes or apartments how to do it your self?
first you'll need to use a wax and grease cleaner on it, to make sure their is no greasiness


then sand the floor with a 220 grit sandpaper making sure its well sanded so the surface is rough , this will help the paint stick better , then you will need to use a deglosser on it to break the shine


then prime the floor


then paint


i'd use an exterior grade paint and primer





remember this is only a temporary deal as the high traffic on the floor wont allow it to last forever





B.
if it hasn't been waxed go for it.....


if it has you probably need a floor sander.....
definately use the suggestion about priming it and preparing it, but in addition to that use kilz or binz whichever one is oil based then paint it with a good heavy duty paintTHEN seal it with a polyurethane for floors- will look great--


you can also throw some fine glitter on the wet paint before you seal it for a designer touch
I've never heard of painting a vinyl tile floor before. I always thought that you had to rip it up and replace it.

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