DIY Network

Linoleum Stamps, Vinyl Painting and Repair Expand your creativity with linoleum and vinyl. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-131

Paint and creativity take this ottoman from dumpster-fodder to divine.

Just when you though Michele Beschen had run out of things to do with vinyl and linoleum, she comes back with more. The B. Original host shows how to create linoleum stamps (often compared to woodcuts—but much easier to make), then shares ideas for painting old linoleum furniture to give it a funky new life. Finally, she gives her own how-to on fixing tears in vinyl.

After working on Michele Beschen's projects, you'll never look at vinyl or linoleum the same way again. And you'll have an even keener eye for how to B. Original with whatever materials are handy. Scroll down for the projects.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B

Linoleum Stamps

• Cut a piece of 1/2" MDF (medium-density fiberboard) to any block size.

• Cut the vinyl to the same size as the block . Adhere the linoleum to block with a small amount of contact cement; clamp and let dry.

• Trace a design onto the linoleum and carve away portions of it with the linoleum cutter. Remember, what you carve away won't show because it won't pick up any ink (figure A).

• Once the stamp is carved, seal it with a glue mixture or gel medium. Linoleum stamps often print similar to traditional woodcuts—but are much easier to make (figure B).

	Figure C
	You'll love what paint can do to old, beat-up vinyl.

Painting Vinyl

Old vinyl chairs and other flea market finds can offer beautiful surfaces to paint on—and can be beautiful furniture once they're painted up. Here's how:

• Clean up old vinyl and scuff up with fine-grit sandpaper.

• Wipe over the vinyl with TSP or another paint deglosser.

• Prime the piece; Michele Beschen prefers to use a roller to apply the base coats because she gets a smoother paint finish.

• Paint as desired with acrylics and seal with two coats of polyurethane (figure C).

Figure D

Vinyl Repair

• Got a huge tear in your vinyl? Don't worry—it's easy to fix with some flexible latex acrylic caulk. Use similar techniques to fix smaller tears and gouges in vinyl.

• Put a bead of caulk under the tear (figure D) and squeeze out excess with your finger.

  Note: Michele Beschen suggests wearing a rubber gloves when working wit the caulk. To help apply the caulk, smooth out the caulk with water and your finger.

• Bring the torn vinyl together and smooth out. Wipe away excess caulk with a baby wipe or cloth.

• Keep caulking and smoothing, letting the caulk dry between coats, until the tear is repaired and smoothed out (figure E). Paint over the caulk when dry to hide the fix (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F