How to Apply a Stain to Laminate Floors

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A step-by-step guide to staining and painting laminate flooring
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If you want your laminate floors to have a richer color, one of the best ways is to stain it. But, unlike wood or concrete flooring, laminate is non-pourous and doesn't respond well to most floor stains. Depending on your preferences, however, laminate floor finishes or polyurethane paint can provide a similar gloss and color. Once you've cleaned, painted or finished, and cured your flooring, your laminate will have a bright, beautiful stain in no time!

Things You Should Know

  • Sweep, mop, and repair damage on your floor with laminate patching material. Sand the floor with 220-grit sandpaper and wipe away dust with a damp cloth. [1]
  • Apply a laminate floor finish in thin, even strokes using a washcloth. Work in 2 feet (0.61 m) sections, waiting 30-60 minutes before moving to a new section.
  • Add a second or third coat, letting the finish dry for 2 hours between each one. Wait 48-72 hours for the finish to fully cure.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Floor

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    The laminate finish will adhere best to the floor if it's clean. Sweep and mop the floor thoroughly, paying attention to corners and any visible dust or debris. [2]
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    Before you stain the floor, inspect it for any chips, cracks, or dents. Depending on the extent of the damage, fill minor damage with laminate floor patching material or replace excessively damaged planks. [3]
    • You can buy laminate floor patching material from most home improvement stores. Fill the entire dent, crack, or chip with the floor patching material using a putty knife and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
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    Sand the floor with 220-grit sandpaper. Using light pressure, hold 220-grit sandpaper over the floor's surface. Rub the sandpaper across the surface in a circular motion, smoothing out any small bumps or imperfections. [4]
    • Sanding the floor will help give it a little grit, so your paint or finish will adhere to the floor's surface better. [5]
    • To speed up the sanding process, you can use a sanding block or orbital sander instead.
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    After sanding the floor, use a damp washcloth to remove any dust left behind by the sandpaper. Use a dry washcloth to absorb excess water on the floor before applying any stains. [6]
    • Do not stain the laminate floor until it is completely dry.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Applying Laminate Floor Finish

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    Although traditional wood stains don't work on laminate, laminate floor finishes can provide a similar color. Buy a laminate floor finish online with a tint resembling wood stain for a lasting color.
    • If you want to give your floors a reddish tint, for example, choose a mahogany-colored laminate floor finish.
    • Make sure you purchase a laminate, not wood, floor finishes. Laminate is less absorbent than wood and needs specialized floor finishes.
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    Dip the washcloth in the floor finish and apply the protective finish to the floor in thin, even strokes. Cover 2 feet (0.61 m) sections of the floor at a time before moving on to the next section. [7]
    • Smooth any stroke lines you notice with the washcloth for an even, glossy finish.
    • After coating the first section, inspect the color and decide whether you like it before finishing the entire floor.
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    Wait 30-60 minutes for the first section to dry, then repeat the process with the next section. Work from the back of the room to the front to avoid smudging the laminate finish before it dries completely. [8]
    • Let each section dry for at least 30 minutes before working on the next one.
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    Let the first coat dry for at least 2 hours, then add more coats for a richer color and longer-lasting finish. Continue applying coats of laminate finish until you reach your desired color, waiting 2 hours between each coat. [9]
    • Adding more coats also helps smooth any stroke marks left by the previous layer.
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    After applying the final finish coat, leave the room to let the finish dry for at least 2-3 days. Avoid stepping on or touching the floor while it dries to prevent streaks or smudges. [10]
    • Over time, your finish's color may fade. Reapply 1-2 finish coats if your floor looks dull or you want a richer color.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Darkening Laminate with Paint

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    For a richer color than laminate finish, you can paint your laminate flooring instead. Pick laminate paint that mimics the desired finish (cherry, maple, or honey, for example) for a strong color that's similar to wood stain. [11]
    • You can buy polyurethane-based paints online or from most home improvement stores.
    • Eggshell or semigloss paints are usually durable and long-lasting on laminate surfaces. [12]
    • You might also choose an epoxy or an enamel paint designed for floors and porches. [13]
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    Dip a foam brush in the laminate primer and apply a thin coat over the surface in long strokes, working from the back to the front of the room. Let the surface dry for 30-60 minutes before applying any coats of paint. [14]
    • Choose an extreme bond primer or a primer made specifically for laminate to help the paint adhere better. [15]
    • If you can't find a laminate primer, oil-based primers work as well.
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    Wash the foam brush and dip it in the paint, then apply it in thin strokes to the entire surface. Work from the back of the room to the front to avoid smudges, then let the paint dry for at least an hour before applying additional layers. [16]
    • If you're sensitive to the smell of paint, wear a respirator while you work.
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    After waiting an hour for the first coat to dry, apply another paint coat over the first using the same method. Depending on how bold of a color you want to achieve, you can apply 1-2 additional layers of paint, waiting an hour in-between each application. [17]
    • For a stronger and longer-lasting color, apply at least 3 coats of paint.
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    After applying several coats of paint, leave the room and let the paint dry for at least a week. Avoid touching or stepping on the floor while it dries to prevent smudging the paint as it cures. [18]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What happens when you sand before painting?
    Patrick Coye
    Painting Specialist
    Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.
    Patrick Coye
    Painting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Sanding the floor will help give it a little grit, so your paint or finish will adhere to the floor's surface better.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How can I paint or stain a laminate floor?
    Patrick Coye
    Painting Specialist
    Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.
    Patrick Coye
    Painting Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Clean the floor really well and sand it so it becomes a porous surface. Prime the laminate with an extreme bond primer and let that cure for a day, then go over the top of that with a specific flooring paint with a hard finish, like an epoxy or a floor and porch enamel.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Why can't laminate flooring be waxed?
    Community Answer
    Unlike hardwood, if you use wax on laminate flooring, it doesn't make it shine. Instead, doing so causes a buildup of dirt. Instead of the wax making your floor shine, wax makes your laminate flooring look cloudy and dull.
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      Things You'll Need

      Cleaning the Floor

      • Mop
      • Broom
      • Water
      • 220-grit sandpaper
      • Washcloth
      • Laminate floor patching material (optional)

      Applying Gloss Finishes

      • Laminate floor finish
      • Washcloth

      Painting Laminate Flooring Instead

      • Laminate paint primer
      • Foam roller
      • Polyurethane paint
      • Respirator (optional)

      Tips

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      Warnings

      • Do not apply wood finishes to laminate flooring. Because laminate is made of plastic, it is not absorbent like wood and will not change colors.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.angi.com/articles/can-you-paint-laminate-floors.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/painting-plastic-laminate-countertops/
      3. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/floor/floor-repair/laminate-floors-how-to-replace-a-flooring-plank/view-all/
      4. ↑ https://realitydaydream.com/the-difference-between-laminate-and/
      5. ↑ Patrick Coye. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/refinishing-laminate-countertops/
      7. ↑ https://careertrend.com/how-5877356-refinish-laminate-wood-floors.html
      8. ↑ https://careertrend.com/how-5877356-refinish-laminate-wood-floors.html
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/refinishing-laminate-countertops/
      1. ↑ https://careertrend.com/how-5877356-refinish-laminate-wood-floors.html
      2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/29772-dream-it-do-it-how-to-paint-laminate/
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/how-to-paint-laminate
      4. ↑ Patrick Coye. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/how-to-paint-laminate
      6. ↑ Patrick Coye. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.theweathereddoor.com/2014/11/how-to-paint-over-laminate-and-why-i.html
      8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/how-to-paint-laminate
      9. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/how-to-paint-laminate

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Staining your laminate flooring will help give it a richer color and more shine. Before you stain your flooring, you'll want to sand it to help the stain adhere better. Once you've sanded it, you can apply 3-4 coats of wood stain with a cloth, waiting 2 hours between coats. When you've finished your last coat, you'll need to wait 2 to 3 days before walking on the floor so the surface can cure. For more tips, including how to choose the color of your laminate floor stain, read on!

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