Water based polyurethane won't yellow.

I did this twice. The first time, I used water based polycrylic and the second time oil based polyurethane. The polycrylic didn't yellow at all but it's not as durable as polyurethane. The polyurethane definitely yellows but is also very durable. I used at least five coats.

Thank you. Maybe the differene is using the water based polyurethane might be best since the oil based yellows. I read that the polycrylic isn't good for floors. You just never know unless you ask someone who has used these products. Thank you so much for your help.

Have you contacted the manufacturer of the white paint you used? They may know what's compatible.

Polycrylic is definitely not good for floors. It's far softer than polyurethane. I used it for my kitchen cabinets 17 years ago and it's held up perfectly fine; I don't see any wear. But that's not foot traffic.

I did my oak stairs in clear, gloss, water-based polyurethane. No yellowing after all this time. And tough.

Traditionally you use the protective coating that comes from the floor paint manufacturer. Your floor paint will have recommendations (aka. REQUIREMENTS). The product is often used as part of a system (kinda like painting your nails):

1. Primer (if it is needed...like over porcelain/ceramic tile)

2. Floor paint (with recommended # of coats) with proper dry times between coats (including the primer)

3. "Top Coat" - could be a single coat....could be as many as 3 coats (it depends on the system requirements).

You will want to find out the brand/system of your floor paint (I'm assuming you used floor paint) to ensure that you used the proper primer and have access to the proper top coat - if needed/allowed. Remember: not all floor paints allow/require a top coat.

If you need more help, please let us know the brand and name of your floor paint. We can always help dig up the information you need from the web.

After thoroughly cleaning the floor, I used a bonding primer by Valspar as my first coating. You can use 2 coats, but I only used one coat. A bonding primer prepares the surface to accept the paint and grips it. Then I used Behr"s porch and patio floor paint. It's a great outdoor water based enamel low sheen paint. I used 2 coats as I was covering dark brown tiles and dark gray grout. I let that cure for a week.

My next step was to use the blue left over paint from the walls, Sherwin Williams eggshell Ocean Breeze to stencil. I picked a stencil that would be easy to use for a first time stenciller. I used a firm foam roller. It was so fast and easy to do until I got to the tiles that were partial. My tiles were laid diagonally, so there are so many cuts, but I do one tile and then wipe the stencil and let it dry before going to another tile. I've got a lot of time, so there's no rush. the reason I do this is because sometimes you have to bend the tile around the toilet base or just a small piece of the tile is cut off. Now I'll cut the stencil to finish the triangle tiles that are left. That is the tedious part.

I'll let that cure for another week and then apply the protective urethane. I'll use 2 coats. This is a guest on suite bathroom and I think that should be sufficient. I'll let that cure for a month to be safe. I won't have guests until Thanksgiving, so it will be perfect timing.

Thank you all for your help and comments. My next bathroom floor will have a different stencil. I have 4 bathrooms and a laundry room floor to do. The laundry room is a concern. I'm worried about moving the washer and dryer across the floor and damaging the painted tiles. I can't lift them.

That water based primer will come back and haunt you. It’s not suitable for floor traffic.

You could put furniture sliders under your washer and dryer. They'll glide right across the floor.

I now live alone since my husband died, so it's just me walking across these floors. I'm hoping the primer will work that I used. It's Valspar and their rep told me it's the best there is. I can't afford to replace these ugly tiles, so I have to try this. I have guests for a few days for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. I also have everyone remove their shoes in my home as I have light colored area rugs and now the painted floors. Sophie, what would you recommend for a primer. I do know it has to be a binding primer, not a regular primer though.

And katinparadise, thank you for that idea. I appreciate it.