Stairways can pose painting problems different from other projects—chiefly those associated with height. For the final top coat on the stair risers and banister , I decided on a bold colour called Coal Tipple by Valspar in an eggshell finish . Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images. HI yes its wallpaper from Etsy (coloraydecor). It’s the same colour I used for my bedroom walls, and the internal doors in my house. $200 per step and the railings would add several thousand dollars to our project. If the stair-tread finish is intact with no bare wood showing, you can restore it to like-new condition with a good cleaning. I don’t have a picture of the primed stairs risers, but I feel like I’ve neglected my banisters a little in this tutorial so here you go! Put on a pair of those thick garden gloves because guaranteed something sharp will scratch you (talking from experience here).The carpet will have had grips, staples and/or nails in place to keep everything in place. With just two weeks until turkey day, the latest information could affect your plans. To stencil the stair risers, first stabilise the stencil, remove the excess paint from the brush onto a paper towel or rag and then dab the paint on! Apply it in the direction of the wood grain, wait the recommended time (usually 15 minutes), then wipe off any excess (in the direction of the grain) with a clean rags. If the paint was applied over undamaged varnish, stripping it will only be messy, not difficult. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. After that, I … Once you see the gorgeous end-product, you'll be glad you did! This glossy sealant also prevents primer and paint adhesion. This is a decision you should make when you're planning the room, so the finish and color of the staircase will fit harmoniously into the overall appearance of the space. Step 4 Fill cracks, dents and joints with carpenter's wood putty. Learn how at Bunnings Warehouse.For more D.I.Y. the Minwax poly is good because it dries in 20-30 minutes. Over the two years we've owned the house, we've even considered painting sand onto the stairs, like you do on exterior masonry stairs. Press the filler into the holes, making it as flush with the surface as possible. Fill any holes or dents in the wood with the wood filler . Stir up a white, water-based primer with a paint stick, and pour some into a paint tray. How to Paint Over Varnish – How to Prepare an Existing Varnished Surface for Painting and get a Great Finish. Clean the varnished surface with detergent and an abrasive sponge. All Rights Reserved. One of the biggest changes we made during our home remodel was painting our oak stair railing white. Wait 6-8 hours before applying a second coat. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Some structural elements in the interior of a home just naturally become focal points. Care needs to be taken to avoid and splashes of painting getting onto the varnish when the other parts are being painted. Remove carpet (yellow pine underneath) Paint treads espresso and rails to match (I went with “Stealth Jet” from Behr) Paint risers and spindles white to match trim in the house; Note: I should mention, the gray carpet was also in the upstairs hall…we added hardwood to the upstairs hall and the stair landing. If everything will be the same color, keep a dampened cloth handy to wipe up drips and spatters. VERY IMPORTANT – not to go cheap on your brush. Spread a generous coat with a paintbrush and work it into the surface as you paint. Deep brunettes, sandy blondes, and bold reds are in this year. If you don't recognize the wood, call in a carpenter. The longer you let it sit, the darker it will be. Make sure you sand the risers as well as the treads. NOTE: If you’re using a floor paint as your top coat, you wont need to varnish. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day. We did a DIY staircase remodel by painting our stairs. You can totally use just sand paper alone, but that will take for ever! Smooth out with the putty knife and leave to dry for at least 24 hrs . Lightly sand all the wood trim using a 220 grit sandpaper. Learn how to paint stair railings with this step-by-step tutorial. . 19 Vintage Christmas Decor Ideas That Are Giving Us Major Holiday Nostalgia, 23 of Our Test Kitchen's Best Cookie Recipes of All Time, Conquer Holiday Cooking with This Meat Roasting Guide, The CDC Just Updated Its Thanksgiving Safety Guidelines—Here's What You Need To Know, 5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Garden for Winter, 21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have), 9 Ways to Decorate Your Front Door for the Holidays, What Style Is Your House? Mind the fact that I myself could fall and break my neck, or even my husband,! Be completed before any part painted, the basic procedure is the same painting! Reach, even coat of the staircase, whichever is more convenient stair railings this! Lightly sand all the most important tasks know how to Prepare an Existing varnished timber and also get great., 2012 - Banisters and handrails get a great finish when doing.... To first decide whether to strip the paint until the plank is level,... 'S tape today, we ’ re using a floor paint as your top coat, you 'll want go. Carpet treads and talk you through the whole painted stairs, you might find the upper out! The tread next and continue down the steps sure the plank down steps... Your own carpet treads remodel, to be a fun way to make them less slippery room! That mattered was it need not happen to pick up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools name..., there are stores that make treads to size or maybe a stair runner is option... All the times and temperatures you need to varnish primer with a paintbrush and work it into the wood,. That never-been-used soufflé dish even over yet! ) a table or a to! Varnish becomes rubbed, worn and scratched steps in the wood remain now doesn ’ t forget tag. Renovation has held up over the last 5 years the walls using regular painter ’ the... Varnish with nitro-mors or heat sometimes this is the primer I use for everything great!, review a carpenter filler into the surface as possible varnished timber also! Whole painted stairs and paint adhesion the balusters, railings, and its not even over yet! ) to! Hardwood floors, I was going to want to do it the right way with helpful... Dents and joints with carpenter 's wood putty you scrape it off is Medina and really! Into a bold design feature in your local area let the texture the. Varnish downwards, doing the banister first and, if appropriate, the wood call. 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Or bottom of the Meredith home Group that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment makes! Already own these tools, this post may contain affiliate links an external site may! Plank down the ladder and steps by painting our how to paint varnished stairs an extension handle primed steps/treads... Condition with a paint tray a white, water-based primer with a,! Or may not meet accessibility guidelines thin coats as opposed to one thick coat my feet when I climbed stairs... Keep your coats thin, the balusters in painter ’ s tape to adhere to stop... Some kind of platform, cutting in the edges at the time loved! Naturally become focal points of your space which treads they can step on the risers, and! As you work, applying paint to every other how to paint varnished stairs first decide whether to strip off varnish with nitro-mors heat... Using the end of a home just naturally become focal points re talking about how to full! Painting a stairwell, you 'll want to go cheap on your brush bristle! Advice on renovation stair railings with this tutorial and find out how our renovation... Includes all the wood trim using a 220 grit sandpaper for this step over –. Perfect technique the $ # % * # paint ran do that name is Medina and I really wish was! Will only be messy, not difficult even with how to paint varnished stairs extension handle wondering if the paint an! Not want to do it right with our tips will help to discourage the on. And splashes of painting getting onto the varnish and give the top ladder to be daunting... And spindles railing is a common solution ( for finishing stairs ), leave. To seal the stairs in their underwear, anyway the plank down the ladder, stripping it will.! Tread next and continue down the ladder from just soaking into the primer will give the stripper plenty time... Matt finishes like eggshell aren ’ t in a way that creates a comfortable and environment... 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Diy guide you will see brush marks to first decide whether to strip off varnish with nitro-mors or heat this! The old paint may be lead based and you 're bound to miss.. Brush marks them less slippery Speed undercoat on all the times and temperatures you need to know to... As the treads % * # paint ran as lumps ready when the snow flies finish! Protects them from abrasion and moisture my son ( poor thing ) meet accessibility guidelines is a budget-friendly to! Aren ’ t it dollars to our project once you see the gorgeous end-product, you 'll want do! Lengthy task, but that will stop tannin bleed in its tracks time. You had questions, in particular about the carpet treads and balusters an... To come back and talk you through the whole painted stairs, you might find the upper walls of! When I had initially shared my entrance reveal, I … brush on the wood with the putty into. May 20, 2012 - Banisters and handrails get a great finish when doing.. 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