A stretcher prevents the canvas from shrinking unevenly, buckling, and rippling, giving a smooth professional floor cloth. Primer Priming prepares and shrinks the canvas before painting. You may purchase canvas that is already primed, in which case you not need this. Sealers Sealers are used to protect your finished floor cloth. Oil based sealers will tend to yellow with age, so it is best to avoid these if you can.
Clear paste is suitable only for painted floor cloths.
The use of a non-skid backing material is advisable if the floor cloth is to be used in a high traffic area. This material can be obtained either in spray or brush-on from you local hardware store. Paint Applicators You can use just about anything that will apply paint the way you want it. Paints You can apply latex house paint if the area to be covered is large, otherwise you can use acrylic colors. Acrylics are stronger in color, are fade resistant, waterproof and in general will last longer.