Anyone ever sand a linoleum floor to remove the design on top?

Question

My kitchen floor is very solid linoleum squares with an ugly motif.  In some places the scraping of a chair has rubbed off the orange design - which has inspired me.  Why not simply sand the 11 X 12 space and then seal it???

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would research painting the floor. Heres one post for you. www.hometalk.com?2555012/diy-painted-and-stenciled-lineoleum-floor

Lisa Falkenthal · Answer

I can't tell you how to do it, but just a cauyionary note, if it's real linoleum and old enough it may have asbestos.

B. Enne · Answer

Asbestos is very dangerous, get it tested first. If the colour is orange, it sounds like it may be from the 60's or 70's, and most likely contains some....you may not even be able to remove it. It can be in the floor itself, the adhesive, and /or the ''underpad'' type thing my vinyl floor had. I have to either go over it with a floating floor or bring in an abatement team. ($$$) I just lost a friend to Mesothilioma, so I can tell you that it is not an overreaction to avoid disturbing asbestos. 
 You could paint it, but don't sand it first...and it won't last forever. That is what I did, until I put the floating floor in.

LaJean Dowty · Answer

agree with the others, it may just be vinyl flooring

Taffetal · Answer

O.K. thanks.

Taffetal · Answer

Wow. Good thing I asked about this. Thanks for your input.

Wanda.ll · Answer

You can just paint the floor and leave it alone. Must clean first( ask guys at Home Depot what to use) and prime it good then coat with a good paint . After words put on several layers of some kind of protective coating that doesn't yellow. My mother did this over 20 years ago and the floor in bathroom still looked good when she sold the house.Yes it takes awhile but better than having to get sick from what might be in the stuff.

I painted my daughters floor in bedroom and it was concrete. She was allergic to carpet and didn't want wood at the time.Just used several coats of paint then sealed with the kind of wax they use at hospitals to cover. Never had a problem. Sponged painted it green then did wisteria in the corners and made them look like growing toward each other. Looked like a large rug .So go for it .

Taffetal · Answer

Thanks Wanda. That's good information. I'm scared off sanding it now re: 'asbestos'.

Johnchip · Answer

If tile has asbestos it is likely not 'friable, so not to worry. Also try on the space under the fridge, if it works, or not, no harm. Also, sanding will likely leave you rough surface, so you will need to paint and seal well with a couple coats to fill and smooth.

Lisa M W. · Answer

I'm actually painting my ugly vinyl floor this weekend! I painted a section and it looks GREAT! not sure yet what kind of top coat i'll use but its definitely a quick fix as opposed to spending money right ow on a new floor!

Marsha J. Mitchell · Answer

If you do need to sand, to smooth any rough spots, be sure to wear a dust mask. The vinyl dust is not something you want in your lungs

Bernice H · Answer

I agree....just clean well,and paint......then seal multiple coats. Get creative with your painting,whenever will you get another chance to do something like this? Be sure to let us know ......

Marsha J. Mitchell · Answer

Thanks, but I'm not stupid. No one said anything about asbestos tile. Of course one would not sand asbestos, but linoleum with a pattern is not made of asbestos.

Taffetal · Answer

I appreciate all the input.  I will have the tiles tested for asbestos before I do anything.  This is a great website.

DORLIS · Answer

I am 75 and do not think I would tackle that.

Anyone ever sand a linoleum floor to remove the design on top?

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Anyone ever sand a linoleum floor to remove the design on top?

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