Make Colorful Canvas Carpets

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Step 8: Paint the design. Consider using stencils, stamps or a computer to produce uniform designs that can be easily reproduced. And plan your design in advance, so your big decisions (and mistakes) are made on paper. The time spent perfecting a design is worth every minute, as it will make you more confident and relaxed when you paint the floorcloth.

Latex enamel is the best choice for floorclothsthe plastics in the paint keep it flexible and make it less likely to crack when dry. More expensive latex enamel lasts longer and performs better than low-grade paint. The latest innovations in latex paint make it comparable in durability to oil-based paint, plus latex is much easier to clean up, dries faster and is more environmentally friendly. If possible, choose paints with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that can cause health problems and contribute to indoor air pollution. (For more information on low-VOC paints, see Stick with Safe Paint, October/November 2003.)

Step 9: Seal the floorcloth. Allow the floorcloth to dry at least 24 hours before you apply a clear polyurethane finish. Latex paint can take up to a week to dry completely, even though it is dry to the touch after about an hour. The longer you allow the latex to dry, the less cracking youll see later.

Using a 4-inch brush, apply sealant from the top left corner and work down, then across the entire floorcloth. Be sure to brush all the way to the edges, so you seal all the exposed paint surfaces. Apply at least three coats of polyurethane, allowing 12 hours of drying time between coats. Dont be alarmed by a cloudy appearance; polyurethane goes on cloudy and dries clear. Let the floorcloth cure for a week before putting it on the floor. This ensures the latex has completely dried and the polyurethane is sufficiently hardened.

Floorcloth care

For day-to-day maintenance, sweep or vacuum dirt from the surface of the floorcloth to prevent it from scratching the polyurethane finish. When needed, use a damp mop and a mild detergent like oil soap to clean your floorcloth, then towel it dry to bring out a nice shine. Occasionally, you may need to apply a coat of floor wax to restore the original luster. If the floorcloth is in a high-traffic area, you might want to apply a revitalizing coat of polyurethane annually.

Once you start making floorcloths, it will be hard to stop. You will find uses for them in almost every room of your house. With a little practice and some imagination, youll discover inspiration for colors, textures and designs inside as well as outside your home.

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