You’ll spend most of the project time waiting for the paint to dry.
Cost
$50–$100
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Large fine paintbrush
Small detail paintbrush
Small paint roller (optional)
SUPPLIES
Latex enamel paint
Stain-blocking primer
220-grit sandpaper
220-grit sanding block
Drop cloth
Painter's tape
Degreaser
Microfiber cloth
Polycrylic finish
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders to modernize your wooden stair railing and make it look new again. Learning how to paint a stair railing is a pretty easy DIY project that most homeowners can tackle with some tools, supplies, and a few hours to spare. This simple tutorial can guide you through each step of the process, from start to finish.
Prepping to Paint Your Stair Railing
Before you begin, make sure all of your tools and supplies are nearby. Then grab your painter's tape and tape a drop cloth around the edges where the railing meets the floor, making sure to extend the tape along the entire length of each edge.
Next, apply painter's tape to all areas where the railing meets the wall. It typically works best to use lots of small pieces of tape for corners and rounded edges rather than a few long pieces.
For both of these steps, ensure you don't apply any tape to the railing itself; only apply tape to the edges around it. Otherwise, you'll need to go back and paint the areas that the tape was covering.
Clean the Railing
Photo: Kalim / Adobe Stock
Cleaning the railing before sanding it is an important step that will help ensure the paint properly adheres.
To clean it, grab a degreaser (dishsoap works well) and a rag or microfiber cloth. Mix a little of the degreaser in some water, dampen your cloth with the solution, and use the cloth to clean the entire railing. Then rinse the cloth in clean water, and use it to remove any soapy residue on the railing. Let it dry before proceeding to the next step.
Sand the Railing
Once it’s clean and dry, use your 220-grit sanding block to roughly sand the entire railing, working in the direction of the grain. Then use 220-grit sandpaper to tackle the spindles and other smaller areas.
Keep in mind that your sanding job doesn't need to be perfectly even. You just want to rough up all the surfaces to remove any existing varnish and make it easier for the paint to bond to the railing and spindles. Wipe the whole railing down with a damp cloth and let it dry before proceeding to the next step.
Apply the Primer
Now it's time to apply primer, which is yet another step to help the paint bond to the railing. If you're changing your railing from a dark to a light color, applying two coats of primer is best. Otherwise, one coat is probably all you need.
For this step, all you have to do is dip your large paintbrush into the primer and apply a thin coat to every part of the railing, including the spindles. If you're applying two coats, wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Lightly Sand the Railing Again
After your primer is dry, lightly sand the entire railing again with your sanding block. But don't worry too much about getting every detail, and don't sand so much that you remove the primer. You just want to lightly rough up the surfaces once again. Grab your microfiber cloth and wipe the railing down to remove any sanding residue.
Apply the First Coat of Paint
Photo: panithi33 / Adobe Stock
Now it's time to paint! Dip the large paintbrush into the paint and apply a thin, even coat to the bottom of the railing, working your way up the spindles before finishing at the top. Starting from the bottom will help prevent paint from dripping while creating a smooth, even finish.
After painting the railing with your large brush, it's a good idea to use a detail brush to fill in any cracks and crevices that the large brush might've missed. Let the coat dry for four to six hours (or as long as the paint manufacturer's instructions recommend) before moving on to the next step.
Apply Additional Coats
Once your first coat of paint is dry, apply a second coat the same way you applied your first—working from bottom to top. Then let the coat dry.
In many cases, you only need two coats. However, if you're not satisfied with how even and saturated the paint job is after two coats, you can apply a third. Just make sure to let each coat fully dry before applying the next.
Apply the Polycrylic Finish
Photo: Andy Dean / Adobe Stock
Once the paint is completely dry, you can apply the polycrylic finish. The polycrylic finish is best for helping prolong the lifespan of your paint job and preventing scuffs and scrapes.
Similar to how you applied the paint, dip a clean paintbrush into the polycrylic finish and apply a thin, even coat onto the entire railing. Let it dry for at least 24 hours before using the railing. One coat should be all you need.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost to paint a home's interior ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot or $20 to $50 per hour to hire a pro. If you choose to paint the railing yourself, you can skip these costs altogether and only pay for the cost of a can of paint and the other tools and supplies needed for the job, most of which many homeowners already have on hand.
This is also a fairly easy project that even not-so-handy homeowners can complete in just a few hours, so tackling it yourself is a great way to save money while sharpening your DIY skills. However, you can always hire a painting pro in your area if you'd prefer to leave the job to someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best type of paint to use on stair railings is enamel paint with a semi-gloss or satin finish. Since family members use stair railings daily, these surfaces can get dirty and scuffed. An enamel paint with a high-quality finish will last longer and be easier to clean.
Yes, it’s essential that you sand the stair railing before painting it. Roughing up the surface of the railing with a sanding block and sanding paper will allow the primer and paint to better adhere to the surface, providing better results. Use a 220-grit sanding block on the entire railing and follow it up with a 220-grit sanding block on the spindles and smaller areas.
