Sealing laminate flooring
for determining that more information is needed, especially what type, brand/manufacturer, what thickness, base and chemical base of it...
in most cases sealing laminate (especially printed laminate!) is bad idea. if this laminate is with wood overlay at the top, with thickness of at least 1.5mm (1/16") and not chamfered edges (for skilled craftsman - floor installer, even 1mm) , then you can use any type of floor paint on the top,
you will need to wear chemical mask if you use poly or any solvent based paint, mask will not be necessary if you use water based paint. during sealer process - you can keep windows open, but not during painting... open windows will cause ripple effect on the paint!
prepare floor in following method:
sand very lightly (matt only indeed) firstly whole area with #120 or even #150 mesh and then with scourer of #180 or #240, if possible use rotary, do not forget to do edges of the rooms! and especially corners...
if this is "bare" wood then:
1. use universal sealer, use good quality paintbrush (50mm - 2") on the edges and corners of the floor and use good quality long hair roller on broad area, sealer will dry up within half hour to 1hr, depending on temperature and humidity, after seal dry,
2. paint directly over prepared floor with appropriate paint, suitable to the sealer and your requirements.
3. after 24hrs, scour area again in method as above and then
4. strain the paint and paint final coat.
5. wait at least 24hrs before you step on the floor,
6. wait at least 5 to 7 days before moving furniture in, especially haevy items!
7. wait at least 30 days before you put rugs or mats on the floor
if this is pre-painted laminate and no damage to it, you skip point 1 and follow from point 2.
it is labour intensive process and albeit cut can be made in several days, paint must be done in single go! better if you have some assistance, one person doing the edges and one person rolling the paint. i do this sometime alone but usually one of the ta's will assist me... paint need to be applied rather thick in even motions no puddles and no bare bits left on the floor!
if you think about skipping cutting stage - DONT! - paint will start flaking and peeling away sometimes in few days or weeks, sometime after a year or so...
