How to Color a Slate Floor
- 1). Use a belt sander with a heavy aluminum oxide belt to sand the surface of each slate tile. Move the sander in one consistent direction, removing any shine from the surface. Don't attempt to sand into the stone itself (you won't be able to), but just dull the surface. Wipe up the dust.
- 2). Brush floor primer over the tiles with a paintbrush. Apply it in a thin, smooth coat, going in one direction. Let it set for 24 hours.
- 3). Apply floor paint onto the tiles with your paintbrush--again in a thin, smooth coat--keeping the brushstrokes going in one direction. Don't attempt to achieve complete coverage of the primer with the first coat; it's most important that the paint is kept thin and flat.
- 4). Let the paint dry for 10 hours. Brush on a second coat in the same manner. Let it dry for 10 hours. Add a third coat. Repeat, if needed, until you have the look you want.
- 5). Let the paint set for 24 hours. Apply a thin layer of polyurethane with a paintbrush, again making a thin, even coat.
- 6). Let the polyurethane set for 10 hours. Hand-sand the dried polyurethane with extra fine sandpaper, just enough to dull the floor. Wipe off the dust.
- 7). Brush on a second layer of polyurethane. Let it dry, hand-sand it, and apply a third layer. Let the third layer dry for 24 hours.