Asked on Sep 14, 2015

Staining vinyl plank flooring a darker colour?

Style-Sack
by Style-Sack

Is it possible or has anyone stained vinyl plank flooring?


I have just purchased a cabin by the coast and it has lovely vinyl floor planks. but it is too light and I was wondering if anyone has ever stained, made darker, the floor planks?


I don't really want to paint it and loose the 'wood' look.


Please any advice would be helpful. Thank you.



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  16 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 14, 2015
    I have never done this but after researching there are water based stains available.
    • Kathleen Kathleen on Oct 14, 2021

      There is a stain and sealer IN ONE STEP oil based with many color choices it’s called Zar it color matches , oil based,used for wood, faux wood,plastic,fiberglass,Masonite, metal and MDF . 1application or 2 if I want more but not needed. It’s around $46 a Good luck 1 pound will do three applications on the ;;

  • Pat C Pat C on Sep 14, 2015
    Vinyl is a type of plastic - I don't think you can stain it. I would think that any stain you applied would just bead up.
  • Z Z on Sep 14, 2015
    This is a tricky one. You're best bet would be to use a spray stain. Kylon makes some transparent products for wood, but most spray paints stick to almost anything that's clean and free from any greasy build up. Kylon's US site is down. I'm not sure if this brand is available down under, and if so, do they have a separate site. I did look it up on Amazon so you can see the product and maybe check it out for yourself. Depending on the size of the area you want to change the color on, using this product could get quite costly. With any transparent stain you do have to worry about overlapping when spraying and since vinyl will not absorb the stain, it could pose a worse problem than what you have now. At any rate, you would have to go over it all with a few coats of floor grade polyurethane to protect it. I'd advise strategically placed area rugs/runners to lesson wear if you choose to go this route. If you do, it would be well advised to practice on extra, or purchased if you don't have any scraps, pieces to make sure it works. Minwax does make spray poly and stain mix also. The cost is more, but you'd have your poly in the mix already. Amazon link to Kylon Wood Stain Scroll down to see all colors available. http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-Stain-Exterior-Earthen-Transparent/dp/B00F2UEZEU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442236377&sr=8-2&keywords=Krylon+transparent+stain+spray+paint+for+wood Minwax PolyShades Aerosol colors. This also comes in non aerosol version, but again, you have the problem of streaks from overlapping the stain if you don't do extremely thin coats. http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/one-step-stain-and-finishes/minwax-polyshades-aerosol
  • Style-Sack Style-Sack on Sep 14, 2015
    I have been looking for a resolution for this all over the net.. LOL I was hoping someone had tried it already... I am still hopeful, bottom line is I may have to paint it.. but I will loose the wood grain look :( Pat C yeah that is what I am afraid of the 'pooling', but I was wondering if i lightly sanded the sheen off the top... ?
    • See 3 previous
    • Batina Marie Batina Marie on Nov 12, 2018

      Did you ever try this? I am considering trying to stain my LVP.

  • Style-Sack Style-Sack on Sep 14, 2015
    Janet Pizaro I will research that! Thanks... :) Becky..... I saw one blog where the person stained vinyl shutters, with a Gel stain.
    • See 2 previous
    • Z Z on Sep 15, 2015
      @Style-Sack I hope it works out for you! Please take before and progress pictures and share when you are finished. Good luck!
  • Sherry Oko-Hutton Sherry Oko-Hutton on Apr 15, 2017

    I did some touch ups on some scratched areas and it looks fantastic I'm thinking of doing my whole floor, I used water based stain if this helps

    • See 1 previous
    • Kaljunou Kaljunou on Jun 09, 2018

      Hi

      I have recently purchase and had laid but have found the colour clashes with my bench tops and generally every thing in the house. I want to apply a tan stain. I have tried bootpolish and although this works perfectly and takes our the pinky look but it will wash off easily. Did using wood stain work for you?

      Denise

  • Style-Sack Style-Sack on Apr 16, 2017

    Thank you for your suggestion

  • Pamela Elizabeth Pamela Elizabeth on Jun 22, 2017

    Hi Style-Sack..i was wonering if you found a solution to stain you vinyl plank? If so how did it turn out? Ive been wanting to do the same thing in my kitchen but not sure what to use.

  • Sherry Oko-Hutton Sherry Oko-Hutton on Oct 19, 2017

    I used varathane brand from Home Depot, they have a variety of colours to choose from and has the sealer already in it.

  • Joshua Nathaniel Davis Joshua Nathaniel Davis on Jan 30, 2018

    I used miniwax oilbased as long as you use a regular paint roller to apply, it looks great.

    • Style-Sack Style-Sack on Jan 30, 2018

      Thank you very much for all the answers... miniwax sounds like a good option!

  • Amy Vickery Amy Vickery on May 16, 2018

    Rub in some Old English Scratch Cover!!!

    it'a amazing stuff :)

  • Sherry Oko-Hutton Sherry Oko-Hutton on Jun 09, 2018

    yes it did I used varathane brand lots of colours to choose from

    • Jemmi Jemmi on Oct 26, 2019

      Just wondering how this has stood up over the course of a year? Any problems with it adhering to the vinyl?

  • Julie Julie on Aug 11, 2018

    We had trouble finding a stair nose to match our laminate floors. HD had a vinyl stair nose but it was clearly too light. I applied a Varathane brand stain,let it sit for 10 mins, and the stain adhered no problem. Finishing with polyurethane top coat. So pleased with the outcome. It matches the stairs and floors perfectly.

  • Rita Beegle Rita Beegle on Jul 26, 2019

    I used Varathane brand stain with sealer in it. Here's before on the left and after on the right

  • Deann Jackson Deann Jackson on Oct 08, 2019

    I'm about to install about 2000 sq feet of a light, neutral color and I started thinking that in 10 years someone is going to come up with a way to stain luxury vinyl planks! How neat to see some have attempted this already!

  • Heather Minnich Heather Minnich on Feb 16, 2020

    Did the varathane last? It seems like it would also just scratch off, or become tacky/sticky in areas. It does look beautiful! Nice color choice.