painting floorboards

[djsp]

Having gone through the pain of sanding floorboards, I'm keen to avoid it again if possible. We have boards which we plan to paint. Do I need to sand them first or can I just go ahead and slap the paint on as they are?

 

[WoodYouLike]

What's on it now? And is it pine boards? And what kind of paint will you be using?

 

[djsp]

Boards have old varnish at the moment so would need rubbing down at least. Boards are pine. No idea about paint yet - I was hoping to get advice....

 

[WoodYouLike]

I never trust old coats (of any kind of material). Best results you will get by.... sanding I'm afraid.
If you are applying a light colour afterwards, be aware that Pine will turn yellow/orangy very easily. To avoid that at best, use a slightly darker colour.
Other option would be to clean the boards thoroughly and apply a coloured wax?

 

[djsp]

Coloured wax sounds good. Tell me more.....

 

[WoodYouLike]

Eh.... wax that has been coloured? Joke )
You have to treat it as a maintenance product and apply it several times a year. (But if you would have painted it, you have to maintain it also).

Colours vary from brown/reddish to antique Oak.

 

[turbine]

djsp, if you have gone to the effort of sanding your floor boards and you want to slap paint on, not for me, what I would do is use one of the coloured wood stains that are available and then use a clear matt finish, thats is IMHO

 

[Tom.]

Use natural oil or wax, much better for the wood, smells nice, and looks better.

 

[WoodYouLike]

I agree, but natural oils or wax on Pine boards very easily brings out that typical 'orange' colour.
To avoid that it's best to use a slightly darker oil. HardWaxOil now also comes in several colours.

Merry Christmas!