A job, well done! First, and most importantly, make sure you use the correct tape. Previous painters left some nastiness. 5 Decorating Tips To Make You A Better Decorator SIGN ME UP. Im a fan of wool rugs for their overall durability. Bobbys work crocks. I have three boys so I can distress the paint now, or they'll take care of it later! Here is a list of the tools we used for this project. We had the whole house repainted Simply White by Benjamin Moore before we moved in, except for the spindles. (Of course by dirtyI dont mean nasty. I may use the sprayer out in my garage to do all the doors and can only do that once the humidity is gone. Coming right over with my paint brush in hand. I always use the standard 1. Personally, Id leave the posts dark. Turned out so nice, Diane!! We started off by taping off the stairs and the areas where the handrails met the walls. It is a concentrated cleaner made with essential oils that you mix with water in a spray bottle. Then he painted a small section of the golden oak railing, let it dry, and sanded it down with a block sander and nylon steel wool. The sanding caused a good deal of dust. The balusters are round on the bottom, not square. Bobby mixed the joint compound and enough water so the consistency of the mixture was like very thick paint. You are such a creative person. :-). HUGS. Diane, I used to buy something similar and havent been able to find it. That is the tape. Something entirely different;but I think the cabinet would look better with darker baskets in it, or paint the ones in it. Another cleaner I have used in the past is Murphys Oil Soap. My husband and son helped me do a bathroom, a small hallway, the kitchen and dining room this summer paint, some beadboard, and trim. The only way to find out is to test the stain out on a small area. Are the foam ones any good? Lots of storage and right where you need it. The cheapest way to renovate stairs is probably painting them. Looks great!!! I find Frog Tape is easier to remove. Clean and rinse before sanding. First, everything should be cleaned thoroughly with a degreaser that won't leave a film. It always fascinated me and what they did. I love that you have found ways to accept and live with golden oak. Most of it though and my confidence came from my many years of doing retail displays. Bobby and Christopher cleaned up as they painted and sanded. This kept our home much cleaner to live in day to day. I have recently sanded what felt like a million spindles. I have the wall paint, so I can definitely begin with that just needing a little push to get going. No trouble with brush marks. Pretty please? If you want your painting efforts to last a long time, take the time to sand first. We would love to paint our staircase (not the actual stairs) and trim. So we sanded, tape and papered, cut and mini rolled with a mohair 3/16. Is there an easier way or trick to taping the round area where the spindle joins the banister? Would you share its history with us? I thought maybe railings first, and then if I drip black paint on the balusters, I could sand it off, lol. Did you tape off the round top of spindles? I imagine you have the same issue. Hi Susan When we first removed the carpet on the staircase that I made over in my previous house, we did notice that the sounds of our feet hitting the stairs was different from what we were used to hearing. Thanks for sharing. Hi! It took about 2 hours. Lol. Great job! Question for you: how do you clean the railing? There are several ways to make a staircase look better without renovating it. I have golden oak bedroom furniture. Wow Diane, I cant imagine how terrible it must have been. Fortunately the balusters are already white so another finish coat wouldnt be all that hard to tackle. Golden oak has a deep grain and distinctive grain. But these options included a lot of demolition and were very expensive. So Bobby and I scoured sources on the internet to find a solution. Love it!! A hard job, but you did some wonderful work there! I really want to paint them all white, but Bobby, who refuses me nothing said a hard no. Question: Ive just finished painting the spindles and banisters but I have noticed the odd drips etc how can I get these to the perfect finish now? Cover the rest of the rail with masking paper, or plastic. If the idea of spraying paint inside your home makes you feel uneasy, you can also achieve an awesome finish by using a quality paint brush and a foam roller. Painting staircase spindles involves a process of cleaning, sanding, priming, and painting. The way u used paint is so practical and made such a difference. Buy any 4, non-metallic, Testers of paint for $28.00! Hi Diane, Answer: An airless is fine. Most homeowners are more comfortable with the brush and roller method though. Do you feel the noise on the stairs is a small price to pay for the enhanced aesthetics? It does take some time to mask flooring and nearby walls with plastic, but once the masking is done, the priming and painting part is so much faster than using a roller. I will look into getting some of the mesh sheets the next time I have to sand something round like the spindles. I have used two different paints in my house on the wood trim. July 12, 2021, Saying Goodbye is Always Hard I picked it up at Lowes, just to try it out. Step one: Clean your surfaces Prior to painting, take the time to clean your surfaces. Ha! I really appreciate your advice! You are so inspiring! Chalk Paint Furniture Before & After Makeovers, The Best DIY Chalk Paint Recipe For Painting Furniture, How to Paint Staircase Spindles: Step By Step Guide, Frequently Asked Questions Answered About Painting Spindles on a Staircase. So, I was really happy with this compromise and i think it has a timeless look about it. I would love to remove the carpet and paint the balusters white like you did. Repeat adding tape this way until the step around the baluster is covered. Diane, my hat (if I had one on) is off to you! The low-pressure paint sprayer painted a very precise and light coat of paint. Most of the work was nothing new to us. My railing was in good condition so I didnt have to make it over. I used semi-gloss on mine. It only has one sticky side that you place against the bottom edge of each spindle so when it is time to remove, it comes up fast. It looks simple but elegant. Your step-by-step is so comprehensive I feel I can finally tackle the reno of my own staircase and foyer, though Im not at all looking forward to whats involved. Would sanding alone not prepare the surface? My question is about the landing at the turn of the staircase. We have actually the same staircase & spindles in a 1987 garrison colonial. Required fields are marked *. That was quite the project !! It all depends on what you want to do to remodel your stairs. All the paint was by Benjamin Moore. We have had it for about 26 years. Id love to see a photo looking down from the top. Surely theres a secret involving loud music to sing along with, adult beverages in moderate supply, and a sweet treat every time you finished one baluster, right? An HVLP sprayer also produces a very fine finish that can be adjusted to the narrow width of a spindle, unlike an airless sprayer. I loved your comment on your 3 hours a day on painting your staircase as I have learned to do that with my energy level. As far as staining manufactured wood. How can I make the stair treads not slippery? Thanks! Amazing!!! This plastic dropcloth tent worked so well! This how-to guide with step-by-step images will give you helpful tips on how to paint stair spindles efficiently and get the job done faster. I would consider not using tape at the top though and just cutting that in by hand. Thanks, friend! I recently did a ton of spindles where HO did not want to see any brush strokes. This is a stunning makeover of yours. Changing the decor is always going on so all the old posts need updating from time to time. I also have a handy talented husband to do the construction part of projects. i need help with exterior paint color scheme for Spanish style house. I have been planning on painting my risers, and balusters white. It's a four-inch roller that produces a fine texture, very similar to a sprayed look. You deserve a rest :). You are always so open and willing to share. Answer: If you're brushing and rolling the spindles, but not painting the handrail, you don't have to tape off around the tops of the spindles. Many years ago I realized that the only way I was going to be able to afford to get the look I wanted for my homes was to DIY it. Congratulations! You can see how I made that over in this post: https://inmyownstyle.com/2011/01/my-foyer-staircase-reveal.html, It looks fantastic! We installed a custom wool carpet that was cut and bound and made into a runner for the stairs. Answer: The oil-based primer Cover Stain is good. It sands easily and dries hard. The sprayer you choose really depends on what you plan to coat the spindles with. An oil-based primer like Zinsser Cover Stain, or Pro Block from Sherwin Williams, are two good products to use on unpainted spindles. Everything needs to be sanded, then cleaned with hot sudsy water, the dried before apply stain or paint. Did you have any trouble with brush marks? So if we decided to repaint the stairs, all the spindles had to be painted Simply White as well. Would we still use Cloud White on that part? Such a lovely transformation. I had to laugh at that and I think I might do that with my next grouping. November 3, 2021, Mom Was Right I like to use a high quality 1 angled Purdy paint brush and Pro Classic paint from Sherwin Williams. Preventative measures for any grand-kids in the future. Im in awe of your talent, stamina and vision. If you get yourself a really good brush, this may actually not be that hard. the space. Michael 14 years ago I recommend a 1" brush, the Clearcut by Purdy. Apply the pieces under the handrail around the balusters, overlapping them to make sure you are getting the handrail masked off. We also considered keeping the spindles and sanding down the golden oak parts and painting them with wood stain and polyurethane. In my present home, I know firsthand what will make the painting spindles process go faster. If nothing comes off, the paint on the balusters is oil. Just use an angled 1-inch brush to cut in the spindle tops where they fasten to the railing. I vote for painting the end post though. If you're painting a deck, chances are there is quite a lot of dirt and grime from the outdoor elements. vacuum and clean the stairs, handrails, newel posts . Question: I am using an HVLP to spray SW Extreme Bond Primer on metal chairs that have been painted. I never leave the house with them, but they are the best for knocking around the house. All of the work was worth it for that fresh look! Looking forward to following you around your house :-) cheers CARol. Diane, another great job!! Do you stain and varnish the railings before or after painting the balusters? If it was just getting rid of the color, a couple coats of paint would take care of that. First, Bobby caulked the base of the spindles with white caulk. It just took some getting used to. debra. I love your blog. Can I stain the stairs and paint those risers as if they are wood? We did not worry about the overspray on the railing because it was such a light coat, and the railings would be painted black. I used an up and down brush strokes and when my hands got tired, I did a horizontal slapping with the brush against a spindle to apply the paint.I then repeated the process on the opposite outer side of the spindles by bending over the railing to reach them. Thanks for posting this! This was exacting work as he had to paint around where the spindles met the underside of the handrail. Painting spindles in a production line way one after the other, can become tedious and paint can get applied too heavy when you are trying to get the job done fast. And a hidden door is so wonderful, a dream come true, but my house is way too tiny. You may want to apply Pre-stain Conditioner to the wood first. :-) I am enjoying updating the house. We finally decided on a plan. Did you have the it color matched? If you don't happen to own one, you can rent either one from the paint store or almost any major home improvement store. Kitchen next? Diane, that turned out AMAZING!!! I loved your old house and I love this one too. Choosing the right roller is important because you don't want to use a thick roller that's going to produce heavy stippling. Neighbors who had been in the house many times when the previous owners lived here, cant believe what a difference the fireplace made. You go girl! I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will loveYOURS! When I saw the towels at HomeGoods I knew they would look perfect in the guest bath that you see at the top of the stairs. Thanks for your time! What a beautiful transformation. They are turned wood also, of course, no flat easy to paint surface, lol. 1 Spread a drop cloth underneath the area you plan on painting. If you plan to coat the surface with a white pigmented lacquer, instead of paint, using a cup sprayer, a primer surfacer (lacquer) should be applied first for adhesion. The more you do, the higher the cost. I think its just sit there in the foyer for a while and enjoy that beautiful sight! Hi Donna Marie I agree with you about the baskets and a few years ago I changed out the sideboard in my foyer. yours is gorgeous! Wow! I ended up with tennis elbow after painting all the trim on second floor three coats. So they had to work with the color palette, style, and feel of our home. This isn't my first staircase makeover. Next, it is time to apply the primer. Your email address will not be published. Using the low-pressure paint sprayer created a couple more steps in the prep process. Smiles. Matt G. (author) from United States on January 27, 2020: Latex primer usually doesn't stop tannin bleed. Painting staircase spindles, also called balusters, can be a tedious DIY project when you want to give a staircase a new look, but it doesnt have to be. To smooth, go over with 220 grit. 2023 StoneGable Website Design by Restored 316, Black water-based latex semi-gloss enamel, Simply White water-based semi-gloss enamel, Painters tape- green Frog Tape, blue- 3M. The paint dries hard. Wow, Diane. This helped keep the cost of this project very low and economical! Mea Culpa! It is a nice look. Also referred to as a cup sprayer, an HVLP unit produces far less over-spray than an airless sprayer. HVLP Sprayer vs. Airless for Spindles It worked! You should now have formed a square with the tape. I cant believe I still havent been to your house:):) Have a great weekend, my friend. How do I prepare the balusters? This was such an important step because the stairs needed to be perfectly clean so the paint would adhere to the wood. The sock method for painting spindles is a paint fad that got popular on the social app Tiktok. Wondered about painting wood, but it looks great. Excellent! Keep in mind, you dont have to sand the finish to the bare wood, you just want to rough the surface up to provide tooth for the paint to stick. Answer: Use oil primer. Answer: Clean and sand everything thoroughly to dull the glossy lacquer. Would the paint we choose adhere to the handrails and newel posts? Yes, he is crazy. Now I know why ranch style houses are popular. I want to paint the spindles on my staircase. The acrylic-alkyd ProClassic from Sherwin Williams, or Emerald urethane. For the average size home staircase where there are 30 or less spindles, a quart of primer and a quart of paint should be plenty. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It will coordinate all the trim through the house which is a good thing. The tape I was using was on the wider side so I cut mine in half. This includes staining the steps and painting the risers. The most common way is to brush and roll the primer and paint, but a faster way is to use an airless sprayer or an HVLP sprayer (high volume, low pressure). This will help ensure the color of the stain goes on evenly. Lovely to see how you knew the stained part needed to stay. :-) I will post all about the process. Love all the fun ideas you have created in your new home and seeing them transform How do you determine the amount of paint you need? I love the look. Then go over each with a tack cloth to make sure all the sanding dust is removed. What a great team! HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. If you do the balusters first you may need to touch-up any stain that gets on the balusters. Love it! Since we will not be ripping up our flooring and installing new hardwood I must find ways to make my peace with my floors. The stairs and balusters look new! Discover how to achieve a beautiful stair remodel and give your home a modern and stylish upgrade. The best way to sand rounded spindles and railings is with the 3M Softback sanding sponges. I like the idea of a hidden door in a closet too. I consent to StoneGable collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. Plain golden oak wood or a cut piece of carpet? Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros, Instead of carpeting, lay down some paint and give your steps a lift, Sure, painted brick can be a great look. But if you want the seat a different color or stained the. Carry on!!! Happy colors for sure and a little color therapy for all those who pass by or use the room. you are rewarded with this a beautiful staircase with a fresh clean look. Hi Carol Thanks for taking the time to say hi. If the spindles are unpainted and you plan to coat them with acrylic paint, an oil-based primer-sealer should be used, not latex. You should now have formed a square with the tape. Looked amazing. A new lighting fixture, wall art, riser decals, and accent decor on the landing are updated ideas for making stairs look nicer. If you have ever painted something with spindles then you know how time consuming it can be to tape them off. Please take pictures of before and after to post when you are done. Do you have the color of stain you used on top rail? Listen to music or turn the volume up on a nearby TV so you can listen to a movie or show. I've never used a foam brush. Can you please let us know why latex primer shouldn't be used? I have never seen a piece like this. It looks beautiful! How to Build a Hidden Closet Under a Staircase. It covered up about 99 percent of the grain. The sharp edge of the tape cuts through the dried paint overlap, leaving you with a crisp, sharp painted edge. Thanks Linda That is one reason I like white walls. I was up until 2 am the other night trying to touch up where the paint leaked under the tape and onto the stair skirt. So this was a valiant attempt but a failure. What is the sock method for painting spindles? Blessings, Jo. Your email address will not be published. Side by side comparison of how the spindles looked stained brown and now painted semi-gloss white. I chose the stair step stain to match the top rail. I clean all the woodwork and almost everything with a spritz of Thieves Cleaner. Curious about the picture grouping. We knew we had a stair remodel in our future. Using an angled brush over regular paint brush or roller will ensure you get into all the nooks and crannies of the spindles. Don't use cheap paint for your project. Love that stuff! The first step is to remove any old paint or varnish from the spindles using a paint stripper. A two-story stairway design loomed large. Either tape will work. Using these you wont get brush strokes and the paint formula is self-leveling. The top center drawer slides out and then lays flat to create a desk. Nevertheless, you inspire me, so I will, indeed, suck it up, and follow in your DIY footsteps. Don't use a latex primer. When painting spindles, the best paint brush is an 1 1-1/2 angled brush. Also what type of paint and brush works best? June 1, 2021, Antique Trove (Fusion Mineral Paint) Aisle E, Rustic Crown Market (Fusion Mineral Paint). I'm not sure what the best process is with regards to painting it a white color.