1.   A. Filling the craters with a thin layer of joint compound might work, but I would be concerned about its peeling, just as the paint did.

2.   If it is real linoleum, which is made essentially of linseed oil and paper or canvas, plus colorizers and fillers, the paint will do quite well.

3.   In her case, blue body paint does just fine.

4.   So did the paint.