How we did it.

We had an attic space with a simple Flake Board 5/8″ flooring. This was good for storage purposes, however we were looking to convert this 2nd floor area into a guest room. Our budget did not allow us to put in new wood flooring and we did not want a carpeted room.

1. We liked the natural wood look of the flake board, so we sanded off the milling ink marks and then sealed the wood with 2 coats clear shellac. If your floor is already painted, topcoat with 2 coats premium eggshell acrylic interior paint[light neutral beige].
2. This next step you will need water base wood stain[minwax]. 1 quart will do about 200sf of floor. You will also need a 3″ polyester paintbrush and a rubber graining comb[pick one up at local paint and decorating store]. We used brown mahagony stain.
3. Starting at far corner of floor begin applying at thin coat of stain keeping brush strokes parallel to wall to mimic wood grain . Do about a 2.5 ‘ x 8″ section at a time. Then take your rubber comb and rake the wet stain in one direction to simulate the grain of the wood. Continue along joining each newly brushed section and grain till you are out the door.
4. Let your masterpiece dry overnight. Finally apply 2 coats of waterbase clear satin floor polyureathane and you are done.

Gary Cymny owner of My Seattle Painter