Painting my stair bannister and hand rail?

Question

They've newly been put in, so they have no product on them what so ever. Is there any special paint I should put on the stairs ( i want them white) or undercoat?? Help Please!

Answer 1

prime, undercoat and at least two top coats. try not walk on them for 24hrs to let it dry, - may involve you sleeping downstairs and using neighbours toilet. but you will have a job keeping them clean...!

for a really hard finish sand after each coat, especially the last two coats and apply final coat (then dont sand!).

good luck

Answer 2

use an acrylic primer/undercoat, rub down with wire wool between coats then use an acrylic gloss, 2 coats for a good finish. the reason for acrylic is that it is water based, if kids or pets touch when wet it is easy to clean off. but would still suggest a lovley coat of antique pine stain/varnish.

p.s. 24 years as a decorator.

Answer 3

Hi, there is no special paint in particular, but using the correct paints is important. If you want durability go for oil based paints, and please do spend money on a primer, it has more oil in it than undercoat and it will penetrate the wood and make your paint work last alot longer.

If your time is precious and you need fast drying times than go for a good water based paint ( (acrylic ). You can use the acrylic undercoat as your primer too, use a fine sandpaper between coats, and don't use while wool with acrylics, as small particles of wire get left behind and will start to rust giving a s**t paint job.  

Whatever you decide, just take your time, you might even enjoy it ! lol

Qualified Decorator

Answer 4

If you live in the USA, a product by Devoe Coatings (ICI Paints) called Devflex HP will work great.  I used it on my kitchen cabinets.  It is latex semi-gloss and is HAND OIL RESISTANT.  That will eliminate the "blackening" of the hand rail.  Very durable!!!  Has been on cabinets for 3 years and still looks great.  Can be cleaned with any household cleaner.

Make sure, if wood, that you prime with an oil primer for best adhesion.

Answer 5

good quality u/paint,then good quality top coat,just did mine,you may feel little bits when dry,but just sandpaper off and re-paint topcoat,

Answer 6

The norm is stain and polyurethane for the hand rail, and paint (usually white) for the ballusters.

Paint on a handrail turns black, and wears too quickly.

Stain/poly is a much classier way to finish it.

On the stairs, stain/poly the treads, paint the riser boards.

You can always paint over the stain/poly if you don't like it.

But it's an extreme job to strip the paint if want to stain/poly after.

Answer 7

A tougher paint is best for stairs and bannisters for obvious reasons (wear and tear)

A undercoat is good then a nice thick layer of gloss.

Hey presto !

Have fun.

Answer 8

Rub down then 2x undercoats. When thats dry rub down with some fine grit paper P280/P320 then you can top coat with what you like, personally i like a satin finish. Don't waste you cash on primmer, its not needed and makes no difference to the end result.

Answer 9

Primer,undercoat then gloss.

Or better still get a painter in to do it for you.

Answer 10

If it is wood you get wood primer and then universal undercoat and then any paint you like. Otherwise universal primer and paint.