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Can You Seal A Painted Floor?

By Lianne Updated 4 min read
Can You Seal A Painted Floor?
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Yes, you can seal a painted floor. Several manufacturers produce clear acrylic floor sealers intended for use as a sealer for concrete and asphalt surfaces. They work well over painted surfaces because of the strong adhesive properties of acrylic and dry to a semi-gloss finish.

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If your floor is made of wood, sealing it after painting provides an essential layer of protection. This is especially important in areas exposed to high foot and vehicle traffic levels.

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If your painted wooden floor is indoors, a sealant can help to protect it from any scuffs and scratches caused by furniture and everyday wear and tear. Alternatively, if your painted floor is made from concrete, it is still possible to seal it.

#1 Best Overall
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Clear Semi-Gloss, 1 Quart
  • PROTECT WOOD SURFACES – Minwax Polyurethane Wood Finish protects interior projects like woodwork, furniture, floors and cabinets. The oil-based, clear top coat is one of the most durable coatings for wood protection against scratches, spills and more.
  • OIL-BASED DURABLE FINISH – Clear finish provides long-lasting protection and warm beauty to both finished and unfinished wood projects. Protective coating is ideal for woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets & floors, and is available in a variety of sheens.
  • SEMI-GLOSS SHEEN – Give your wood projects a sleek finish with this semi-gloss clear varnish. It not only protects the natural beauty of the wood, but offers a long-lasting, semi-shiny, sleek sheen for a modern look.
  • FAST DRYING – Get more done with this protective poly coating. It’s a fast-drying clear coat, which allows for quick recoats after 4-6 hours, letting you get projects done faster. Be sure to apply with a high-quality natural or foam brush.
  • A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

There are a few different types of sealants on the market, and the type you need will depend on the floor you plan on sealing. 

Polyurethane Sealant – This synthetic and oil-based sealant provides a durable and protective coating on painted and bare wood surfaces. This type of sealant is suitable for use on both wooden and concrete floors. It comes in spray form that you use directly on the floor.

Alternatively, it can come in a pot, and you’ll have to use a paintbrush to apply it. However, this sealant type is prone to releasing harmful fumes due to the toxic chemicals present in the mixture. 

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Rank #2
Varathane Ultra Thick Floor Finish Satin Clear Polyurethane
  • Self-leveling polyurethane for floors allows for 2 coats instead of traditional 3-4 coats
  • Water-based formula provides exceptional scuff, scratch and stain resistance
  • Recoat in 3-5 hours and ready for light traffic in 24 hours
  • 2X thicker than traditional water based floor polys for superior durability
  • Clear satin finish is thick, dries fast and cleans up with soap and water

Polyacrylic Sealant – This is a water-based topcoat that you can apply to your painted floor. It is a great alternative to polyurethane sealant as it emits almost no toxic fumes and has very little odor. It is also far easier to clean up and can be easily removed with just a little warm water.

However, it is not as durable as polyurethane sealant. Polyacrylic is most commonly used on children’s furniture or areas where pets tend to roam. It comes out milky white when wet but dries completely clear. 

Paste Wax – This is made up of wax that has been dissolved in a solvent. The wax is usually naturally occurring; high-quality paste waxes use beeswax or carnauba. Apply paste wax with a paintbrush or cloth and wipe off any excess afterward. These finishes are usually clear but can also be colored to create an antique effect.

Rank #3
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Clear Gloss, 1 Gallon
  • PROTECT WOOD SURFACES – Minwax Polyurethane Wood Finish protects interior projects like woodwork, furniture, floors and cabinets. The oil-based, clear top coat is one of the most durable coatings for wood protection against scratches, spills and more.
  • OIL-BASED DURABLE FINISH – Clear finish provides long-lasting protection and warm beauty to both finished and unfinished wood projects. Protective coating is ideal for woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets & floors, and is available in a variety of sheens.
  • GLOSS SHEEN – Give your wood projects a sleek finish with this gloss clear varnish. It not only protects the natural beauty of the wood, but offers a shiny, sleek sheen for a modern look.
  • FAST DRYING – Get more done with this protective poly coating. It’s a fast-drying clear coat, which allows for quick recoats after 4-6 hours, letting you get projects done faster. Be sure to apply with a high-quality natural or foam brush.
  • A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

However, paste wax isn’t known for its durability. In fact, professionals recommend that it should be re-applied every year, at least! So you’ll need to be prepared to keep up with this maintenance. Also, furniture or floors sealed with paste wax must be kept out of direct sunlight as it can become sticky and melt.

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Decoupage – This can only be used on small areas of painted wooden floors. This method isn’t suitable for sealing painted concrete floors, so you’ll need to opt for one of the other methods.

It involves using a small paintbrush to apply pictures and glue to the surface. It should be sanded between each coat and left to dry for at least 24 hours after completing the final coat. This will help to ensure that it stands the test of time. 

Paint and Sealer – Most good hardware and DIY stores will stock some sort of paint and sealant combination. The sealer is contained within the paint mixture itself, so it seals and colors. Follow the product instructions for preparation and application.

Rank #4
RUST-OLEUM 230231 Satin Water Floor Finish
  • The product is Gallon Sat WB FLR Finish
  • Elegant design and Finish
  • The product is manufactured in United States
  • Varathane Gallon Satin Waterborne Diamond Floor Finish
  • Water-based finish for hardwood floors

These products are useful for painting furniture white or light colors because they are less prone to discoloration. Some sealants, including polyurethane, may turn yellow over time, producing a noticeable discoloration on white paint.

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Should I Seal My Painted Floor?

Some paints require primers/sealers while others don’t, so check on the tin. At the very least, you should prime any areas sanded down to bare wood. You should also prime any knots in the wood, so buy a tin of wood primer.

Make sure the primer you buy suits the type of paint you will be using– ask for some advice in a DIY store if you’re unsure. Using a sealant is usually recommended if you’re working with a concrete floor. This is because the surface of the concrete is typically quite rough, so it will need to be filled with sealant to prevent air bubbles from ruining the finished result. 

Best Value
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Clear Semi-Gloss, 1 Gallon
  • PROTECT WOOD SURFACES – Minwax Polyurethane Wood Finish protects interior projects like woodwork, furniture, floors and cabinets. The oil-based, clear top coat is one of the most durable coatings for wood protection against scratches, spills and more.
  • OIL-BASED DURABLE FINISH – Clear finish provides long-lasting protection and warm beauty to both finished and unfinished wood projects. Protective coating is ideal for woodwork, furniture, doors, cabinets & floors, and is available in a variety of sheens.
  • SEMI-GLOSS SHEEN – Give your wood projects a sleek finish with this semi-gloss clear varnish. It not only protects the natural beauty of the wood, but offers a long-lasting, semi-shiny, sleek sheen for a modern look.
  • FAST DRYING – Get more done with this protective poly coating. It’s a fast-drying clear coat, which allows for quick recoats after 4-6 hours, letting you get projects done faster. Be sure to apply with a high-quality natural or foam brush.
  • A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Minwax is America’s leading brand of wood finishing and wood care projects. Since 1904, we have been inspiring consumers to Keep on Finishing. We offer consumers a complete line of products to meet every wood finishing need.

Sealing or painting a concrete floor has many benefits. The first benefit is that you’ll experience fewer problems caused by dust. As tough and durable as concrete is, it is still susceptible to general wear and tear when subjected to traffic which causes the surface to break down.

Applying a concrete floor sealer will impregnate and seal the floor surface and prevent specks of dust from occurring. A good quality concrete floor sealant will provide a clear, non-yellowing finish which extremely durable and abrasion-resistant

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Another reason you should consider sealing your painted floor is that it can increase its resistance to staining. Both concrete and wood surfaces are absorbent and porous by nature. Because of this, they can be particularly susceptible to staining from liquids such as paint, ink, oils, grease, and fat. Investing in a good-quality floor sealant can protect and waterproof it. This is especially important if you plan on painting outdoor flooring.

Before even thinking about sealant or even painting, you’ll need to clean your floor thoroughly. If you attempt to dive straight into painting and sealing, dust, grime, and other pesky particles can get caught up in the mixture and settle and cure on the surface of your floor.

Scrub the floor thoroughly with a wire brush and lightly sand it before adding paint. This will help the sealant and the paint to adhere to your flooring better, ultimately increasing its durability and lifespan. Can you paint sealed concrete? Yes, you can paint sealed concrete, but you will need to prepare the surface properly and use the appropriate type of paint for the job.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Clear Semi-Gloss, 1 Quart
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane Protective Wood Finish, Clear Semi-Gloss, 1 Quart
Its superior durability makes it ideal for use on all your wood surfaces; Dries fast and offers long lasting beauty on both finished and unfinished wood surfaces
$15.97
Bestseller No. 2
Varathane Ultra Thick Floor Finish Satin Clear Polyurethane
Varathane Ultra Thick Floor Finish Satin Clear Polyurethane
Self-leveling polyurethane for floors allows for 2 coats instead of traditional 3-4 coats; Water-based formula provides exceptional scuff, scratch and stain resistance
$79.19
Bestseller No. 4
RUST-OLEUM 230231 Satin Water Floor Finish
RUST-OLEUM 230231 Satin Water Floor Finish
The product is Gallon Sat WB FLR Finish; Elegant design and Finish; The product is manufactured in United States
$87.96

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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