Oh Dear,

Thankyou for you last reply. I finally just went for it and decided to paint my linoleum kichen floor however during the process I've come across a big problem. After almost three weeks of meticulously cleaning, sanding, painting my kitchen floor ( a beautiful espresso brown) I waited more than three weeks to allow the paint to dry and cure properly before applying the polyurethane, Finally today was the day I have been waiting for to apply the polyurethane and I did so over 3 hours ago and!!!! I can see terrible milky brush marks all over my beautifully painted floor, all over the place! I thought it was supposed to leave it clear and satin smooth. I am beside myself as to what to do next. Will the second and third coat make it look better? Should I sand the blotchy spots and apply more polyurethan on top? By the way we made sure the room tempreture was perfect before starting the polyurethane - we used AQUAZAR Water Based poyurethane - Satin Clear. Help! I've been going crazy without my kitchen and now I just don't know what to do to fix this. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thank you so,so much. Mika

I called my paint store about this for some ideas. Their first reaction was to never paint vinyl flooring (and I couldn't get him to understand there is a difference between vinyl and linoleum). So, are you sure your floor is linoleum and not vinyl?

Once I got him past that issue he said that not all water-based polyurethane's are to be used on just any surface. In fact, he indicated most are to be used directly on wood or as additional coats on themselves. Sherwin Williams does have a water-based polyurethane that can be used on paint. Check your product to see what surfaces it says it can be applied to.

Don't hesitate to call the manufacturer for input. They may have ideas about the problem and therefore a solution. Please let us know what you learn.

I am an artist who paints with oil and am creating a small art room adjacent to my laundry room. Is linoleum a good option for flooring for these two rooms? Can solvents be used to clean any paint drips I may make?

You clearly understand the challenge of using solvents to clean floors. Linoleum is a durable flooring, but it will be abused by the use of solvents on it. I haven't done that, but I can feel confident there will be damage -- I just don't know what the damage will look like. Linoleum color goes throughout the product so you won't have spots with no color, as you might with vinyl.

I'm not sure what your best bet is with your floor options. My sister-in-law has a concrete floor in her art studio so she doesn't have to worry about dropping oil on it. That could be an interesting option for you too.

I am trying to find linoleum to install in my kitchen. I can't find any with any color or design. Do they just make it plain or wood grain? I would love a retro look. Thanks.

I don't mean to sound flippant, but where are you looking? Depending on where you live there are lots of places you can look. A flooring store that caries Forbo (marboleum) or Armstrong (marmorette) will be able to get linoleum for you. I don't know if there are any wood-grain linoleum products but there are lots of great colors and textures available.

Hi I have 3 or 4 different pieces of very old linoleum up in my attic. Evidently, they were used in the house at one time, then removed and placed up stairs. I don't think they were ever glued down, because of the large pieces. Some are ripped, but I bet all the pieces are there and could be put down almost seamlessly by a professional. I doubt any are room size, but would make interesting floor cloths. One is a child's floor in blue, pink and white with bunnies and other cuddly animals on it. I also have 2 pieces, 1 in ea of my bedroom closets that are not glued down, which I plan to remove and replace with carpeting. I still have some in my up and down stairs hallways that is glued down. Eventually I want cover it with carpet, even though I know there is wood flooring underneath. I ripped up part in my front foyer which is very small, but it was murder to get up! Finally managed to do it and refinish the southern yellow pine floor underneath it. Do you know of anyone that buys ands sells this vintage stuff? I'd like to sell all the loose stuff because I really need the $$$, and someone might find the floors I have just what they've been looking for.

Hi Connie, I sure don't. You might try using your favorite search engine, maybe you'll at least find out if there's even a market for it. Sounds like some neat stuff if you can just find a buyer - it's definitely better than sending it to a landfill!

I have picked out an Armstrong Marmorette floor for my kitchen. How resistant to scuffing, staining are today's linoleum floors. I have found mixed reviews on the internet from love it to run as fast as you can and do not buy this product.

I think today's linoleum floors are pretty darn great. I had one installed almost 4 years and it has held up wonderfully despite being in a very high traffic area of the house.

A friend of mine has this very same product on her counters - no, I'm not kidding. She didn't wax it, as Armstrong advised due to concerns of having the wax come in contact with perhaps food, articles used for food, etc. She has a few places that stained when rusted steel sat on it, but it's minor - and keep in mind - it's not waxed or coated with anything. She keeps it looking quite good with no effort. The counters are five years old and going strong.

Scratches don't show on linoleum the way they would with vinyl. On her countertop, you do see them, but who wouldn't when you are 2-3 feet from them, but they aren't glaringly obvious even at close look.

So........ yes, I like today's linoleum