How to Paint a Stair Railing Like a Pro

In addition to following solid home painting tips, pairing the task of painting your stair rails with choosing the best materials for the job is a must. Because stair railings must deal with heavy traffic that differs from your walls, completing the job with high-quality primer, paint, and poly finish will help ensure your work lasts. 

Start by choosing a stain-blocking primer to help the paint stick. Match oil-based or latex-based primers to oil or latex-based paints. While oil paints have a reputation for durability, modern latex enamels come close to matching it, so choosing oil or latex is a matter of personal choice. However, latex dries faster and is recoatable sooner, which can reduce the project's time requirement. 

The best paint for railings is enamel in satin, semi-gloss, or gloss varieties. Avoid low-sheen and flat-finish paints as they aren't as durable and tend to trap dirt more than shiny versions.

If your railing painting project is part of a larger painting job, choose between painting the walls or the handrail and trim first. Additionally, protect or remove any wallpaper borders or wallpaper that will be near your work. If you need to protect the wall where the railing meets it, use small pieces of painter's tape.  

Also, be sure to protect the floor and stair surfaces with a drop cloth or plastic. However, be very aware of ladder safety if you're using one to paint part of the railing or balusters. Refrain from placing a ladder on top of a drop cloth or plastic sheet over a solid floor surface.

Get into action by thoroughly cleaning the railing and baluster surfaces. Use a degreaser to eliminate the dirt and grime from every surface. Be sure to get into the small spaces where your sandpaper will have a tough time reaching.

Using a combination of a 220-grit sanding block and 220-grit sandpaper, lightly sand every surface of the stair railing system that you'll paint. Don’t rub too hard or for too long—you're just trying to scuff the surfaces to allow the primer to stick. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the sanding dust left behind. Let it dry.

Because of the use that your railing is subject to, applying primer, even on already-painted railings, is essential. Paint primer not only covers the old finish, but also provides a paint-friendly and sticky surface for your finish to adhere to. Apply the primer with a wide brush where you can and use a smaller, or artist's, brush to cut in the details and where the railing meets the wall or stair step surfaces.

Much like painting walls and ceilings, the order and process you use to paint your stair railing is essential. Apply your first coat of paint using a combination of a wide brush, a thin brush, and artist's brushes where each is appropriate. Tiny artist's brushes are excellent for getting to the bottom of tight grooves in the railing or balusters without making a mess. 

Work in sections to avoid missing spots, and work from one side to the other to make things easy. If you're right-handed, work from left to right to help keep from touching wet paint. Go the other way if you're left-handed.

Your stair railing will require at least two coats of paint for beauty and durability. Allow the first coat to dry completely and repeat the painting step in the same way as the first.

While not absolutely necessary, adding a polyurethane finish over your painting job will enhance its beauty and increase its durability. If you use a high-gloss paint, very lightly scuff the paint's surface with your sandpaper before applying the poly. For all other sheen choices, apply the poly in the same manner as a coat of paint. Consider applying a second coat for high-use railings or on the handrail portions where heavy use is the norm.