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Can You/Should You Paint Over Plywood Floor? (How To)

Yellow paint brush on plywood

With today’s increasing prices on virtually everything, many are looking for ways to freshen up a room without spending a lot. That answer for a lot of people is paint. If looking to paint over a surface for a new look, many ask what products can be painted, such as plywood.

Yes, you can paint over plywood but there are recommendations on how to do so. To paint over plywood, wear a dust mask and clean and sand the floor, then fill in with wood putty, any dents or imperfections. Prime the floor, then paint and lastly add a protective sealer.

Plywood is normally considered subflooring but in the right situations, it can be used as top flooring and can be painted successfully when following the recommendations for doing so. A pattern can also be incorporated for an added touch to give it an even nicer look. It should also be added that when deciding to use and paint plywood, it is not recommended for high traffic or wet areas.

Can You Paint Over Plywood Floors?

Blue paint stroke on plywood

If you are on a limited budget but want to make changes, then paint is the answer for most. Paint is still one of the cheapest ways to make a change. You may be surprised how many surfaces can be painted, and plywood is one of them with the right recommendations.

You certainly can paint plywood, but deciding if you should is what you need to ask yourself. It is not recommended to paint for high traffic areas or areas that will get wet. If you use the correct paint and follow the recommended procedures plywood can successfully be painted.

Before painting your plywood floor, you may have some old flooring to remove. If carpet, you’ll need to remove it and the padding underneath then all the tack strips and staples that were used when the carpet was installed. To do so you will need a pry bar and a couple of smaller tools such as a hammer and screwdriver.

Deciding on the sheen is another decision that needs to be made when painting plywood floors. Semi and high gloss finishes are going to be the easiest to clean, especially since it is going to be a high-traffic area. It is not recommended to use a flat or a satin finish because it will show marks and is a pain to keep clean.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/15/2022.

Can You Paint Over Plywood Subfloors?

Confused man standing

Have you ever built a home, or know someone who has? If so, you’ve most likely walked on the plywood subflooring during the construction. Deciding on flooring is usually a big decision along with paint colors. What about painting that subfloor instead of laying another on top?

Painting over plywood subflooring is very possible, and if the correct recommendations are followed, can be an option for several areas of the house. It is not recommended to paint plywood subfloor for high traffic areas or areas that will get wet, however.

Some who choose to paint plywood flooring, choose to add a special touch like a border around the edge of a room or even a pattern on the floor. You will need to plan out your design options before you start. For example, if you are doing a border and pattern you only need to stencil in your pattern on the inside of your border.

To clean a painted plywood floor, simply scrub or mop just as you would with any other floor. If you applied a sealer on top this helps drastically with the cleaning process. It is not recommended that you use vinegar or ammonia as those can damage the paint and floor as well as steam mopping.

Can You Paint Over Plywood Stairs?

Construction of staircase

Stairs can often be an area that gets little attention or thought, even though they are typically a high-traffic area. People often lay the carpet down steps or a runner to add a different look, but what about painting the raw material that lay under many people’s carpeted stairs?

Yes, you can paint your plywood stairs and if you choose to do so, it is recommended to paint both the riser and tread with an all-in-one primer and paint. Start by painting around all the edges of the riser and then the center. Paint a second layer across the width to avoid brush strokes.

There is some strategy when painting stairs that some may not think about until it is too late. It depends on what level of the house you’re dealing with also. If painting stairs leading to the second level, you will want to start at the top and work your way down. If painting stairs leading to the basement, start with the bottom stair and work your way up since the paint will need to dry.

Staining your plywood stairs is another option for covering them. Some have reported that it is helpful to add a wood conditioner before staining, as the plywood typically takes on stain unevenly. Using a water-base stain is recommended as it will dry faster which can be helpful as many coats may be required including the top protectant layer.

When painting or staining your plywood stairs, making sure a layer is dry before applying the next is extremely important. For stains, it typically takes 4-12 hours and wait a full 24 hours before sealing it when done staining, and for paint, it is recommended to wait 4 hours. If your stairs can not be avoided, try painting or staining every other stair so that you can still go up and down while waiting for them to dry until you do the next steps.

Can You Paint Over Plywood Deck?

Confused man standing

If you have a deck, you probably enjoy entertaining outdoors. Over time, outdoor surfaces need some maintenance to keep them looking nice and usable. Paint can often provide an inexpensive restoration option for most surfaces, including outdoor surfaces.

Yes, you can paint over a plywood deck. Use a primer first, then an oil or water-base paint made for flooring. Use a roller with an extension for easier application, allow to dry then apply a second coat.

You can also waterproof your plywood floor for an outdoor space such as a deck using an oil-based polyurethane or epoxy. If using an oil-based polyurethane you can apply it after your paint with a brush or roller and if using an epoxy, because it is thick, you can pour it on the surface but this makes for the more difficult option of the two. Polyurethane will show brush strokes whereas the epoxy will give it the clearest and most clean look.

Another product to cover your deck and make it waterproof is rubberized paint. First, apply an oil-based primer then apply the liquid rubber paint. The liquid rubber polyurethane is a great way to waterproof your plywood deck and protect it against the elements of nature and can even be colored just as regular paint is.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/15/2022.

Should You Paint Over Plywood Floors?

Painting the floor plywood

For many surfaces, painting may be your best and most budget-friendly option for change. If you decide to go with paint instead of replacing it, then you’ll want to be sure to follow the correct steps. If painting is not the right option, then you want more change than paint provides.

Should you paint over plywood floors? Reasons, why you should or should not, may come down to your budget or if the painting will provide you with enough change to suit your needs. It could provide you with a new look until you want or can make a more dramatic change.

If you choose to paint your plywood subfloor, be sure to follow the correct procedures. Start by checking all around the floor for any raised nails and trouble spots that may need to be filled in with wood putty. Lightly sanding and cleaning the floor real good is essential. Use an oil-based primer for your first layer then paint, applying a second coat if necessary.

If purchasing new plywood, it is easier and saves time to paint before cutting and installing it if you have the space to do so. Then you can fix the edges where you do cut them later when you are completing the finishing touches.

What Tools And Preparation Are Needed?

Confused man standing

Painting for some is therapeutic and relaxing. It can provide a fresh look for any space and is often the most economical choice when wanting to give a space a new look. With any project, it is important to use the right tools and prep the space to get the best results.

To paint plywood, it is recommended to lightly sand the surface and then clean to remove dust. Then prime the surface and use an interior oil-base for inside, and exterior oil-base paint for outdoor jobs. Use a roller with an extension for easier application, and apply a second coat if necessary.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 15, 2022.

Before painting, you will need to sand and remove any staples or nails. Depending on the size of your project, using a palm sander can save you a lot of work and time. For small areas or harder-to-get areas, you may want to use a sanding block or sandpaper and use wood putty to fill in any holes or dents in the plywood.

What Paint Do You Need To Paint Over Plywood Floors?

Paint supplies

When you decide to paint something, most probably start thinking about what color to get. However, you should probably be asking what type of paint you should get, then look into which color. The type of paint you use is very important as it depends on what you are painting.

When painting over plywood floors, for best results use an oil-based primer to begin with. Then you can use a variety of paints depending on the area but it is recommended to use latex paint.

The best case for painting over plywood is to use the best paint you can afford. Priming the surface is essential but adding high-quality paint is going to be worth the investment. Some of the top choices include Kilz Tribute, Ben Moore’s Advance, Kilz Over Armour, and Ben Moore’s Tough Shield.

Using barn wood in homes has recently become a very popular trend, but getting your hands on some or enough of it can be difficult. It is possible to make your plywood look like barn wood by first using tools or a wire brush on your wood following the grain, then lightly sanding it before staining the plywood. After the stain dries, lightly sand it again then using a one-to-one ratio, mix white paint and water to brush on then wipe with a rag and add a polyurethane matte sealer.

This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 07/15/2022.

How To Paint Over Plywood Floors

Confused man standing

Before painting anything it is a good idea to do a little research beforehand. Different surfaces require different types of paint and protectant. There are also techniques for how to paint certain surfaces for the best results. Painting plywood floors is a good example of this.

For best results on how to paint over plywood floors, follow these steps:

Step 1: Clean and sand the plywood

Step 2: Fill in any imperfections with wood putty

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Step 3: Apply primer and let dry

Step 4: Paint the floor and let dry

Step 5: Apply a second coat if needed

Step 6: Apply a sealer

Something to keep in mind when painting plywood floors, using a roller on a long handle will speed up the process and make it much easier. Also, plywood floors are not ideal for areas of high traffic or potentially wet areas. A good safety measure is always making sure your area is well ventilated.

When you paint over plywood flooring, it is recommended that you sand and clean the surface well, removing any staples or nails. You will next need to fill in any holes or dents with wood putty. For best results, you should prime the surface, paint two coats and add a sealer on top.

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