How to Paint a Floor

To make the paint adhere better and the finish last longer, sand and clean the floor first. Coating the entire floor using the lighter of the two colors as a base coat creates a clean slate for laying out the pattern and acts as a primer for the darker pattern color.
Using a sanding sponge, gently rough up the floor finish and level any high spots from previous stain or filler. Wipe the floor clean with a damp sponge and allow it to dry thoroughly. Cover the space beneath doors with plastic to prevent dust from blowing in and ruining the wet finish.