How To Paint Stair Railings

If your stair railings and banisters are not looking their best, you will be glad to learn that an inexpensive solution will have them looking good as new. While it is possible to paint your stair railings and banisters by yourself, you should rely on experienced decorators in East London for an elegant and long-lasting solution. Painting your stair railing and banisters yourself is a tedious and time-consuming project that needs to be done correctly and on schedule. 

Your stair railings need to be sturdy and look their best because they are a high-traffic area that is commonly leaned on and touched. They are also a point of focus that pulls a room together, thus highly impacting your interior decor. In case you want to do it yourself, this article will provide several handy tips on how to paint your stair railing and banisters. 

Gather All Your Materials

With most DIY projects, preparation is essential. Before you start painting your banister, make sure you have gathered the following materials and equipment. You will require a primer, soft cloths to wipe your railing down, sanding blocks, foam brushes, nylon artists’ brushes, nylon angled craft brushes, gloss paint, trim paint, and a clear coat paint. 

Make sure you have gathered all the materials you require before getting started. It is also essential to do all your research and determine which skill set is required for this project.

Cleaning And Sectioning

Before getting started, you should clean your stair railing with warm water and soap and then use a soft cloth to dry it. The next step is to divide the stair railing into sections of about six inches which you will need to carry out the next steps. 

Sectioning the railing makes it much easier to complete one section without disturbing the entire railing. This also allows you to start in an inconspicuous section of the stair railing so you can perfect your technique before you get to the more prominent sections. 

Sanding The Stair Railing

Sand each section of the stair railing thoroughly and remove all the debris. If you are repainting an already painted surface, then you will require higher grit sandpaper. Buy angled sanding blocks to get into all the nooks and crannies of your stair railing.

Recheck the sanded section to make sure that all the gloss is removed. If not, then continue to hone the areas that have the previous paint and varnish on them. After ensuring that the sanding process is done correctly, you can now wipe the remaining debris with a wet cloth and allow enough time for it to dry. 

Applying Primer To The Railing

Once the stair railing and banisters are dry, you can start applying the primer. Make sure to apply the primer evenly on the base rail, handrail, and banisters. Proper application of primer is crucial because it gives a receptive surface for the paint to adhere to. 

The priming step does not call for perfection or multiple layers to work efficiently. All you need to do is evenly coat all the surfaces of the stair railing using the primer and fine-grit sandpaper to smooth away any drips, bumps, or rough spots. 

Start To Paint The Stair Railing

Painting your stair railing is the most delicate and intricate step of the procedure. It is essential to do it correctly and use the best brushes for a tidy and professional finish. Challenging enamel paint is recommended for handrails because their high traffic nature calls for durable and easy to clean paint. 

The technique for painting the spindles, handrails, bottom rails, and banisters are highly specialized and usually require professional training to get it right. You might be required to take some craft classes or watch highly detailed YouTube videos to get it right. 

The order in which you should paint the various components of your stair railing depends on the colors you pick. It is recommended to begin with the railings, then the spindles, and finish off with the handrails and bottom rails. As a rule of thumb, areas with lighter colors should never be painted before dark colors. 

You will need to paint quickly and in sections to prevent the paint from coagulating before finishing the job. Right-handed people are advised to begin from left to right, while left-handed people should do the vice-versa. It would be best to consider painting from the bottom up to prevent the paint from running. 

Painting your stair railing is no easy task, but you should be able to succeed in your painting project with these tips.