Comments on: How to Paint Stair Railings https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/ DIY + Decorating Ideas Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:35:14 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Kristen https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-44090 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-44090 One more tip: paint every other baluster first. Then starting back at the beginning, do the the in-between ones. Repeat for each coat. This makes it much easier to not smear your work and get wet paint all over the back of your hand from the tight space between balusters as you go along the rail.

]]> By: Mary Jane https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-42488 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-42488 Hi
I sanded the paint off my stair railing down to the bare wood because the previous paint was all gummy and a mess. I painted it with white exterior primer/paint that was used recently for my exterior house bricks. I assumed it would be a durable, smooth finish, but it was low-lustre not semi gloss. (oops, I read the can wrong)
But it’s not at all shiny or smooth. It’s kind of chalky like a primer would feel. Should I give it a second coat ? And with what paint? to make it smooth to the touch?
Thanks,
MJ

]]> By: Jeanette, DIY & Decorating Blogger https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-40911 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-40911 In reply to Michelle.

Hi Michelle! Because stair railings are so intricate I never was tempted to strip and re-stain, but I do understand the desire to have wood grain show through. Our plan is to replace these railings at some point. I have heard great things about General Finishes – I would probably strip beforehand to ensure you’re not layering the new stain onto orangey oak but it could be a pain! :) Once it’s on it looks amazing. I may try GF on a dresser that needs a good stain for the top. I can report back once I try it.

Thank you! We are in Lebanon and love it, touring colleges now with my daughter there are so many options down here.

]]> By: Michelle https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-40910 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-40910 Jeanette,
For the past two years, I have been wanting to change the orange oak stair railing (luckily I painted the balusters white). I was wondering if you had ever considered staining dark? I like to see the wood grain, and I have done A LOT of research just in case. I’ve been looking into General Finishes since they make an oil-based and a water-based stain. Have you ever worked with either? Thank you for your inspiration! Welcome to Southern Ohio!

]]> By: Michele https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-39644 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-39644 Hi there. I love your staircase transformation! Aside from the paint changes, I’m curious how the rest of your staircase looks, especially the handrail on the closed portion of the steps. I’ve got a very similar situation where the bottom half of my staircase is open and the top have closed. Could you share a picture from the top of your staircase?

]]> By: Jeanette, DIY & Decorating Blogger https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-38730 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-38730 Hi Robin,
I do like to sand in between coats on most projects. I would warn that any sanding now means you may need to touch it up. But that said I would try using something like a fine brillo pad or even a paper bag to remove the high points / bumps that you’re feeling. Check to see if you’ve sanded away any of the paint before applying the next coats of paint and the final gloss coat. I hope this helps!

]]> By: Robin https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-38719 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-38719 Hello I recently sanded them painted my banister rails white without primer first. For some reason they feel rough to tough after one coat. Do you know if I should sand again or if when I am done a gloss finish over my semi gloss would fix it?

]]> By: Jeanette, DIY & Decorating Blogger https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-38456 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-38456 In reply to Paula.

It’s definitely a big project. If you have a loft area and lots of railings with an open concept, give yourself a month of on-again off-again DIY :)

]]> By: Paula https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-38452 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-38452 Thank you for these step by step instructions! You make it so easy. Love the color, too. Thank you for sharing

]]> By: Jeanette https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-27327 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-27327 In reply to michele pasco.

The right way to do it is to prime it all white. Then paint the dark brown on the railing. I hope this helps! Don’t make the same mistakes I did! :)

]]> By: michele pasco https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-27326 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-27326 What color did you start with? Dark or the light?

]]> By: Porter https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/how-to-paint-stair-railings/#comment-9082 https://streetwisedecor.wordpress.com/?p=1059#comment-9082 Did you not have to sand down the wood at all? We are looking to paint our banister a darker color, but aren’t sure if we need to strip off the coating and sand it down first or if we can just paint straight over top of the existing finish? How has this held up over time. Thanks!!!

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