How do you paint wood subfloors?

Painting a wood subfloor requires a putty knife, a hammer, a nail punch, a sander, a vacuum, floor-leveling compound, primer, paint, paintbrushes, paint rollers and a polyurethane sealer. Oil based paint provides a harder surface, but latex is acceptable.

1. Prepare the floor for painting

   Remove any visible staples from the floor. Hammer any nails that are sticking up above the surface. Sand the floor, removing any splinters or drips of paint. Fill in holes and cracks with a floor-leveling compound. Allow the leveling compound to dry, and sand the floor with sandpaper. Vacuum the floor, removing all dust and debris.

2. Apply the primer

   Select a primer that's either oil-based or latex, matching it to the type of paint you're applying. Using a paintbrush, paint a strip of primer around the perimeter of the room. Work close to the wall with a thick coat. Roll on a thin coat of primer over the rest of the floor, allowing it to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

3. Apply the paint

   Apply the paint around the perimeter using a paintbrush. Apply paint over the rest of the floor with a roller. Allow the first coat to dry. Paint a second and third coat if needed for coverage.

4. Apply the polyurethane

   Paint on the polyurethane using the same technique. Allow 24 hours for the first coat to dry, applying more coats if desired. Don't allow foot traffic on the floor until the polyurethane is completely dry.