How to Refinish Stair Railings in 5 Easy Steps

Little changes can go a long way toward updating your home

stairs and railing lead upstairs while hallway features arched doorway and entry way table
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
stairs and railing lead upstairs while hallway features arched doorway and entry way table
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
Amy Freeman
Written by Amy Freeman
Contributing Writer
Updated Oct 7, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
3 days
COST
$100-$500
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Plastic scraper
  • Sander
  • 2-inch paint brush
  • 2-inch foam brush
  • Drop cloth
SUPPLIES
  • Stripping gel
  • Paper towels
  • Painter's tape
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood stain or paint

Have you looked at your stairs lately? Your stair railings may be in need of some TLC, or a complete makeover. If you'd like to refresh your home's interior, learn how to refinish stair railings and give your stair case a modern update.

Prepping to Refinish Stair Railings

a black metal staircase leads to the upstairs area, with gray walls, dark brown wood floors, and a plant
Photo: Dmitry Koksharov / stock.adobe.com

Balusters are the support system of a staircase. Also known as spindles, balusters hold up the handrail and are often made of wood, stainless steel, or wrought iron. If your balusters are old or in poor condition, you may need to replace them before beginning your refinishing project to make the stairs safer. Even if your stairs pass the safety check, you may want to replace the balusters anyway, which can make your project a bit more complicated.

The easier route is to leave the balusters in place and refresh the railings, without removing them from the stairs. 

Of course, not every staircase has balusters. If your railings are mounted to the wall, you'll most likely find it easier to refinish them if you unscrew them from the wall before you start.

Understanding the other parts of your staircase can also help you prepare for a stair railing refinishing project.

10 parts of a staircase illustrated, including the landing, rail, risers, and treads
Read more

How to Refinish Stair Railings

You've decided to remove the railings (or not) and are ready to jump in. Roll up your sleeves, put on your gloves, mask, and safety goggles, and get started.

  1. Strip and Sand the Railings

    sanding wood handrails
    Photo: ungvar / Adobe Stock

    Remove the old paint or stain before refinishing the railings. 

    Lay a dropcloth down to protect your floors, then apply the wood stripper to the railing with a paint brush. Leave the stripper on the railing as directed by the packaging, usually for at least a few hours. 

    Once the wood stripper has had time to do its work, test to see if it's ready. Use the plastic scraper to remove some of the stripper from the railing. If it's worked its magic, the stain or paint will come off when you scrape.

    If the wood stripper is good to go, use the scraper to remove all of it from the railing, leaving plain, uncoated wood behind. You may want to use a scrubber to get into any tight nooks and crannies.

    Next, run a piece of fine grit sandpaper over the railings to smooth out any bumps. Wipe the railing with a damp paper towel to clean away any dust.

  2. Tape and Protect

    Apply painters tape around the tips of the balusters and where the railings connect to the floor or wall.

    Open the windows if you're working indoors to help the fumes from the paint or wood stain exit the home.

  3. Stain or Paint the Wood

    woman painting stair railing
    Photo: MelkiNimages/ Getty Images

    Give your paint or wood stain a good stir, then dip your paint brush in and start applying it to the railing. Paint or stain the sides and tops of the railing first, working slowly and carefully to avoid drips or visible brush strokes. You can use a rag or old T-shirt in place of the paintbrush, if you prefer.

    Let the tops and sides of the railing dry a bit, then apply a coat of stain or paint to the undersides, using a rag. Be careful not to get any paint or stain on the balusters. 

    Let the first coat dry for several hours, then apply a second coat to the sides and tops of the railing. Since the underside isn't visible, you can stick with a single coat there.

    Let the second coat dry overnight

  4. Add Polyurethane

    Apply a coat of polyurethane to the railings, if you used wood stain. You can skip this step if you painted the wood.

    Use a foam brush to apply the polyurethane, letting it dry completely. You can add a second coat if you want more of a sheen, but be sure to run a piece of sandpaper over the wood first, then wipe with a damp paper towel, to remove any imperfections.

  5. Clean Up

    Once your railings are completely dry, usually the next day, remove the painters tape and drop cloth. Re-attach the railing to the wall, if necessary, and reinstall the balusters. Vacuum the floor to clean up any lingering dust.

    Now, step back and admire your work.

DIY Stair Railing Refinishing vs. Hiring a Pro 

Should you hire a local stair contractor to refinish your railings for you? It all depends on the scope of your project. If you'd like a complete staircase renovation, changing out the balusters and maybe even updating the stair risers and treads, a professional can help you get the staircase of your dreams. A pro can also come in handy if you have a larger staircase or railings that twist and turn.

But for a simpler design or a light update, you may feel perfectly comfortable refinishing wood steps or railings yourself. You’ll save on labor costs by DIYing, and will only pay for materials—perhaps as little as $100. On the other hand, hiring a pro to refinish your railing costs between $320 and $1,255, on average.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you paint or stain stair railings depends on your aesthetic goals and preferences. Some people prefer to stain because it highlights wood's natural beauty. But you may want to paint your railings if you're going for a particular color scheme. Paint may cost less than wood stain and is usually available in a wider range of options.

Removing the original paint or stain before refinishing is a good idea, as it ensures the new finish bonds strongly to the wood. If you skip the stripping or sanding step, the new finish may peel or flake away from the railing easily. Using a wood stripper will completely remove the old stain or paint while sanding will help to prime the surface.

The cost to refinish stairs ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, or $400 per step. But the price depends on whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, and the scope of your project. It will cost considerably more to have a pro refinish an entire staircase, including the treads and railings, than it will to refinish just the railings yourself.

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Learn more about our contributor
Amy Freeman
Written by Amy Freeman
Contributing Writer
Amy is a content writer specializing in home improvement and personal finance topics. She loves helping people tackle DIY projects that beautify their spaces. Her work can also be found on Money Crashers and Coldwell Banker where she combines home improvement and money saving tips.

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