How To Repair Stairs Paint

Painting stairs is an like shooting fish in a barrel DIY task that can totally alter the look of your hallway or landing. And, if you have been blessed with wooden stairs and are in need of a upkeep-friendly mode to decorate them, we would highly recommend learning how to paint a staircase yourself for the perfect refresh.

We have seen so many great painted staircase ideas that we simply had to pay homage to the trend by sharing some of our favorites and telling you how it is washed. Whether yous want to paint the whole staircase, simply the treads or but the risers, a lick of paint will bring maximum impact to your space.

black painted wooden staircase in a white hallway with black picture frames and plants

How to pigment a staircase in v like shooting fish in a barrel steps

Joa Studholme, Farrow & Ball's Color Curator explains, 'If you lot choose to paint your whole staircase, including the spindles, cord and newel posts in i color it will create huge visual interest.'

'By using a strong tone similar Down Pipe, it will get the focus of the infinite, while some opt to apply the color of the walls to brand the structure 'disappear'. In either case information technology is all-time to paint any panelling or cupboards under the stairs in the same color.'

Whether you lot want to paint your staircase risers or just the treads, here's all yous need to know.

You will demand:

Paint
Sander
Wood filler
Sugar soap cleaning solution
Cleaning cloth
Masking tape
Paint scraper
Paint stirrer
Pigment castor
Paint roller
Paint tray
Dust mask (optional)

one. Prep and repair your staircase

Showtime, remove whatsoever carpet or roofing from your wooden stairs. While pigment is perfect for making over an old staircase, you need to make certain it is in proficient nick earlier you get-go. Repair any loose or cleaved parts, shine over uneven surfaces and fill whatsoever dents.

Painting the staircase railing too? Here are our favorite looks.

'When painting unpainted wood floors for the first time ensure any joins or cracks are filled with a non-flexible wood filler before thoroughly cleaning and sanding the floor until smooth,' explains Studholme.

You can pigment both bare woods and painted forest, but if the stairs are very erstwhile and take many layers of paint on, you might want to strip them dorsum first. This can be done using paint stripper, a heat gun or sanding – but accept care equally old paint may be lead based.

In one case you've done this, hoover up the mess and clean the stairs with a carbohydrate soap solution to remove any remaining dirt.

Read our guide to maintaining your staircase for more than advice on renovation.

Top tip: On bare woods you lot may want to utilize a resin and knot blocking primer.

a staircase painted in grey and white tones with bag

two. Choose suitable paint for your staircase

While yous can use any wood paint, those designed for floors are best as they are designed to be more durable. It needs to be walked all over of course. If you do choose to use forest paint, a satin finish may be more forgiving.

Yet, recollect that floor paints are designed to be less slippy. If y'all're trying to match your hallway pigment idea to your stairs, gloss and satin might exist fine for risers, but could prove dangerous if used on the tread itself.

The simplest way to add affect to your hallway is with a assuming contrasting color, neat if you lot have gone for a neutral scheme for your walls.

3. Fourth dimension information technology correct and paint from the acme

First early on and preferably when everyone is out for the twenty-four hour period. You need to gene in drying fourth dimension which will be at least a few hours to be bear upon-dry and longer before you should be walking on it. If your simply loo is upstairs, you lot might need to plan an alternative.

It may sound obvious, merely offset at the top and work down – especially when painting the treads – and then you don't go stuck upstairs (unless you are painting upwards from a basement of form). For a smooth finish employ a small roller but cutting in with a paintbrush (see our pick of the best).

A staircase with olive green paint on the walls, black-framed wall art and green and black striped runner up stairs by Roger Oates

four. Painting the risers

If yous want to make visual impact with a more interesting staircase paint thought, you should consider painting the risers of your staircase (the vertical sections linking each step). It's also best to pigment these before tackling the treads, unless you do both at the same time. In which instance you should paint the entire first stair, so skip a stair or ii in-betwixt as you piece of work your mode down then that you can movement effectually without scuffing upwards your paint task.

Studholme explains, 'More excitement can be added past painting only the risers in a darker or more dramatic tone similar Bancha, which is non but practical in defining the stairs, making them easier to apply, but also helps to disguise scuff marks.'

Paint the risers using a roller and avoid drips by applying several sparse coats of paint rather than ane or ii thick ones. Use a paint brush to cutting in at the edges and permit them to dry before using the staircase as usual.

Black staircase railing with black wall decor and black radiator by The Radiator Centre

5. How to paint stair treads

To paint the treads, you'll want to apply a roller and utilise the paint as before. Cut in when painting every bit you would practice on walls, using a suitable pigment brush.

Allow to dry, and your painted staircase makeover is consummate.

Decor tip: If you desire to paint the treads (the flat sections) of your staircase a dissimilar color to the risers to create a subtle two-tone effect, utilise masking record to the bottom of the risers to department off the surface you've just painted.

What kind of paint do you use on stairs?

When painting stairs, yous need to use a suitable floor paint to ensure a long-lasting, hard-wearing finish. Choose a water-based flooring paint that can exist practical directly to wooden floorboards and physical flooring, and directly over old paint or varnish.

Opt for a single colour for a uniform look, or choose two dissimilar shades for the treads and risers for added interest. Studholme says, 'Alternatively, a stronger color such equally Mole's Breath tin can be used on spindles, handrail and treads, leaving the rest of the structure in a lighter tone similar Ammonite. It is best to utilize Modern Eggshell on all these surfaces for extra durability.'

Do you demand to sand stairs earlier painting?

It's really of import to make sure the surface of your staircase is in as good a status as possible before you start adding new paint to it.

Try to repair any holes or damage with wood filler, then sand down whatever lumps or bumps to make the surface as smooth as possible – it's best to use a mitt sander, similar this Bosch multi sander, available at Amazon for this task rather than attempting it with sheets of sandpaper.

How many coats of pigment do I need for stairs?

For the all-time results and longevity, apply two coats of paint after a good quality flooring primer and undercoat. To keep painted stairs from chipping, make sure you apply a clear water-based urethane varnish, like Rust-Oleum Varathane, available at Amazon.