How To Repair Outside Stairs Paint

Painting stairs is an easy DIY job that can totally change the wait of your hallway or landing. And, if yous take been blessed with wooden stairs and are in need of a upkeep-friendly manner to decorate them, we would highly recommend learning how to paint a staircase yourself for the perfect refresh.

We accept seen then many corking painted staircase ideas that nosotros only had to pay homage to the trend past sharing some of our favorites and telling you how information technology is done. Whether you want to pigment the whole staircase, just the treads or just 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 paint a staircase in five easy steps

Joa Studholme, Farrow & Brawl's Colour Curator explains, 'If you choose to paint your whole staircase, including the spindles, cord and newel posts in one color information technology volition create huge visual interest.'

'By using a stiff tone like Down Pipage, it will get the focus of the space, while some opt to use the color of the walls to make the structure 'disappear'. In either case it is best to pigment 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 you lot need to know.

You lot will need:

Paint
Sander
Forest filler
Carbohydrate soap cleaning solution
Cleaning textile
Masking tape
Paint scraper
Paint stirrer
Paint brush
Pigment roller
Paint tray
Dust mask (optional)

ane. Prep and repair your staircase

First, remove whatever carpet or covering from your wooden stairs. While paint is perfect for making over an old staircase, yous need to make sure it is in good nick before y'all commencement. Repair any loose or broken parts, smooth over uneven surfaces and make full whatever dents.

Painting the staircase railing as well? 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 forest filler before thoroughly cleaning and sanding the floor until smooth,' explains Studholme.

You can paint both bare wood and painted woods, merely if the stairs are very old and have many layers of paint on, you might want to strip them dorsum starting time. This can exist done using pigment stripper, a heat gun or sanding – but accept care as old paint may be lead based.

Once y'all've done this, hoover up the mess and clean the stairs with a saccharide soap solution to remove any remaining clay.

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

Top tip: On bare wood you may want to use a resin and knot blocking primer.

a staircase painted in grey and white tones with bag

2. Choose suitable pigment for your staircase

While you lot can employ whatever wood paint, those designed for floors are best equally they are designed to exist more durable. Information technology needs to be walked all over of form. If you do choose to use wood paint, a satin stop may exist more forgiving.

Even so, call back that floor paints are designed to exist less slippy. If yous're trying to friction match your hallway paint idea to your stairs, gloss and satin might be fine for risers, only could prove dangerous if used on the tread itself.

The simplest manner to add impact to your hallway is with a bold contrasting colour, groovy if you have gone for a neutral scheme for your walls.

3. Time information technology correct and paint from the elevation

Start early and preferably when everyone is out for the mean solar day. You demand to factor in drying time which will be at least a few hours to be touch on-dry and longer before you should be walking on it. If your only loo is upstairs, you might demand to plan an alternative.

It may audio obvious, merely kickoff at the summit and work down – especially when painting the treads – so you don't get stuck upstairs (unless y'all are painting upwardly from a basement of course). For a smoothen finish use a modest roller but cut in with a paintbrush (encounter our option 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 desire 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 pace). It'south likewise best to paint these before tackling the treads, unless you practise both at the same time. In which case you should paint the unabridged offset stair, and so skip a stair or 2 in-betwixt as you piece of work your way downward and so that you can move around without scuffing up your paint job.

Studholme explains, 'More excitement can be added by painting just the risers in a darker or more than dramatic tone like Bancha, which is not only practical in defining the stairs, making them easier to use, but also helps to disguise scuff marks.'

Paint the risers using a roller and avoid drips past applying several sparse coats of paint rather than ane or two thick ones. Use a pigment brush to cutting in at the edges and permit them to dry out 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 pigment the treads, yous'll want to apply a roller and use the paint every bit before. Cut in when painting as you would exercise on walls, using a suitable paint brush.

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

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

What kind of paint do you utilize on stairs?

When painting stairs, you need to utilize a suitable floor paint to ensure a long-lasting, hard-wearing cease. Choose a water-based flooring paint that can be applied directly to wooden floorboards and concrete flooring, and directly over old paint or varnish.

Opt for a single color for a uniform wait, or cull 2 different shades for the treads and risers for added interest. Studholme says, 'Alternatively, a stronger colour such every bit Mole'southward Breath can be used on spindles, handrail and treads, leaving the rest of the construction in a lighter tone like Ammonite. Information technology is all-time to use Modern Eggshell on all these surfaces for extra durability.'

Exercise you need to sand stairs before painting?

Information technology'south really important to make certain the surface of your staircase is in as good a condition every bit possible earlier you beginning adding new paint to information technology.

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

How many coats of pigment practise I need for stairs?

For the best results and longevity, apply 2 coats of paint after a good quality floor primer and undercoat. To go on painted stairs from chipping, make certain you apply a clear h2o-based urethane varnish, like Rust-Oleum Varathane, bachelor at Amazon.