Use finer grits between coats of primer and paint. When we moved to our previous house she was sad she had to give it back. This means that when you come to paint the spindles the paint won't soak into them and you'll need fewer coats of paint. Copyright 2023. I cant wait to see the new underneath when you decide what youre having. Subscribe to get tons of ideas and inspiration sent to your inbox. But I know, sometimes storage wins out. I so enjoy watching how the house is becoming your home. The sharp edge of the tape cuts through the dried paint overlap, leaving you with a crisp, sharp painted edge. Love youre creativity. I am here to share with you the easiest and quickest way I have found to tape offspindles. But if they're already painted, a latex bonding primer is a good choice. I had a carpet guy over and asked him what kind of treads he thought was under the carpet. Yes, those are crocks! Now I know why ranch style houses are popular. Looks awesome..great job : ). 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 love hearing from new readers. My husband says that are so comfortable too! I'm wondering about scrubbing with the TSP first and then sanding. Did you get the standard 1 kind or the rounded kind? I am in the process of doing ours too. A thin layer of plastic was taped to the banisters inside and outside so when the spindles were sprayed, the plastic would catch the overspray. Wes Bs brother-in-law is a frequent visitor and always comes in and looks around to see what got changed since the last time he visited. It is a nice feeling. We have actually the same staircase & spindles in a 1987 garrison colonial. If nothing comes off, the paint on the balusters is oil. These sanding pads are my favorite because you can fold them and wrap them around the spindles for easy sanding. They are currently stained oak. I did this a few days ahead of time. We knew this was going to be a huge DIY project that was complicated by the nature of golden oak. I still have to finish the upstairs stairway paint the walls and the steps. More time saved.Taping off the 62 spindles both on the bottom where they met the step and top to protect the underside of the banister from paint. Would you share its history with us? Vacuum up any sanding dust and wipe down your sanded surfaces with a damp cloth. It has been stained a rich, red color and is sealed with a lacquer. We also have oak spindles, and I'm considered painting them. Wow! . I also want to darken the stain on the tread as it is too light for my tastes. Having your son Christopher along was a huge help with his already gained knowledge and youthful energy. 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! After the surface has been cleaned with TSP, wipe everything down with a little Dawn dish soap and a clean rag to remove leftover residue that can cause problems with primer and paint adhesion. The one listed didnt get very good reviews. Also the bf told me that when you decide to sell your house, you paint it white. They look beautiful I will be un the Staes in December but only inColumbus otherwise I would call and say hello from Oz> I wonder what you will do when it is all finished :). It covered up about 99 percent of the grain. :-) I will post all about the process. Just turn the pressure down low and use a small tip. take a look at amy howard chalk paint; no sanding or priming, just paint. The best grit is 80 to 100. Lets start out with the before and after pictures. We didnt mind it though. I've never used a foam brush. This isn't my first staircase makeover. love the transformation, a lot of work but it looks beautiful. Diane, Now I hope I have the stamina to get the kitchen done. Its always fun to see the change side by side. It looks like just lumber the contractor cut to size. I know it is popular now to stain the oak handrail dark and paint the spindles white but that look doesnt work in my house. And Ill remember your tip to put jobs I dont want to do on my calendar! I need to repaint the balusters white and repaint the handrail with stain. I think when you work on something that you really love, it shows! June 22, 2021, From Chaos to Peace Questions: But it had a couple big drawbacks that we knew we had to remedy even before we moved in. Wow what a transformation! But it was worth for the white trim! Buy any 4, non-metallic, Testers of paint for $28.00! The paint dries hard. This paint has excellent flow and leveling to get a smooth finish. Also referred to as a cup sprayer, an HVLP unit produces far less over-spray than an airless sprayer. To tape around the circular baluster, start by laying down a 2 piece of tape so that the center of the tape is along the edge of the baluster. :-) They look great, but are not the easiest to paint. Do the handrail first, then the balusters. The square footage of the house is 2780. Thanks Linda That is one reason I like white walls. Ours was highly varnished in a dark (very orange!) Discover how to achieve a beautiful stair remodel and give your home a modern and stylish upgrade. For other painting tips, make sure you prep everything and if you are going to use painters tape get it all in place first. I havent found the right solution to getting it clean. One was the kitchen, and the other was the golden oak staircase. The next part of the stair remodel involved Bobby painting all the stair railings and the balusters posts black. Question: Do you paint the spindles or stain the walnut banister first? https://bit.ly/3etkCRi. In my present home, I know firsthand what will make the painting spindles process go faster. 1 Spread a drop cloth underneath the area you plan on painting. Wipe clean and apply primer then paint? Coarser grits will get the sanding done faster. Also, my stairs are manufactured wood. It's acceptable to use latex paint over the oil-based primer, just choose a paint finish with a low sheen like satin. Hi Colleen I would paint highest to lowest, so just like you said, if any black paint gets on the balusters you can sand it off before you paint the balusters. My husband and son helped me do a bathroom, a small hallway, the kitchen and dining room this summer paint, some beadboard, and trim. A two-story stairway design loomed large. Hi Carol Thanks for taking the time to say hi. So Bobby and I scoured sources on the internet to find a solution. If you are going to paint the risers, be sure to sand them first so the paint has something to grip onto. I want to paint the spindles on my staircase. Thank you for your tips. I have tried Murphys Oil Soap. I painted my banister (white spindles, left the handrail oak) and kept referring to this post often to give myself moral support! Chairs with stained seats and painted backs are very popular and look amazing! Everything needs to be sanded, then cleaned with hot sudsy water, the dried before apply stain or paint. Ugly Duckling Treasures. We thought about replacing our existing spindles with wrought iron ones and replacing the existing banister and balusters with more natural wood ones. I did 4 coats in the end 3 primer and 1 top coat. I did relax over the weekend and enjoy how the foyer is starting to come together. In my previous house, the wood under my carpet on the staircase was not pretty. Amazing!!! Diane, you are an amazing woman. Older Post If you are concerned about slipping when you have socks on you could add a runner up the center of the steps. Wow! The finish is 22 years old so that could contribute to the stickiness. There was a tiny gap between the spindles and the hardwood floor, so he added a bead of caulk to fill in that gap. Love it!! But it is a very budget friendly home improvement project. I dread these kinds of jobs but you put your head down and get on with it. I am not sure of any other way to make the wood on the steps less smooth. The oak steps were bare when we moved in, so thankfully, we did not have to deal with pulling up and getting rid of an old carpet. Mask off the step for every spindle with masking tape or painters tape. We should all live with what we love. I loved learning more about you and all your projects. To save time when painting spindles on a staircase you may want to skip the sanding step. The cheapest way to renovate stairs is probably painting them. The most common coating used for spindles is acrylic paint, in which case a small airless sprayer would work great, but you need to be a little more careful with the masking to make sure the surrounding area is well protected from hovering over-spray. This plastic dropcloth tent worked so well! Our stairs are not in our entryway but are a distinctive architectural feature in the main part of our open-concept home. It sounds like it is going to look very nice once you are done. If using a paint and primer in one formula, one gallon of paint/primer will be enough. So I was the Project Manager (bossy but appreciative Mom) and organizer, and Christopher and Bobby were the workers. Unfortunately, with the multi colors, that means there can be a lot of taping around spindles to prevent intermixing of the colors. Will you tell me where you purchased the frames for your grandchildrens pictures? The only way to find out is to test the stain out on a small area. You certainly are a go getter.. I have a similar staircase and I think I will try to remodel mine using your instructions and tips. This post may contain affiliate links. i need help with exterior paint color scheme for Spanish style house. The sprayed finish of BIN is much smoother and nicer looking than oil. Turned out so nice, Diane!! I moved it to another room and replaced it with a dresser. If the wood isn't already painted, you'll of course have to prime the treads first with a quality oil-based primer. I love your blog. Once you have tackled the handrail, paint the balusters. Carry on!!! PLEASE help me with any advice about this, specifically how you taped your handrail around the spindles or balusters. Diane, what you have accomplished is amazing! You are so inspirational you make me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. My fear is that by removing the carpet, the foyer will become an echo chamber. Thanks so much Jan! Michael 14 years ago I recommend a 1" brush, the Clearcut by Purdy. Ive decided to leave it for a couple of days before I tackle the next set of 10 posts. I used different semi-gloss paints to try them out, but have them made up into the same color which is Sherwin Williams Pure White 7005. I found I liked the way the wide kraft paper painters tape, Easy Mask KleenEdge covered more area around the balusters in one piece which means less time was spent taping off. First, and most importantly, make sure you use the correct tape. This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. :-) Wine would have made me feel great, but knowing me would have had me missing a few balusters. If you get yourself a really good brush, this may actually not be that hard. It looks beautiful! What is the sock method for painting spindles? Place your drop cloth around the bottom of the staircase. You can use a darker color. The first coat took the longest 3 hours since I had to cover the dark wood.The second coat took about two hours and the last coat only an hour since all I needed to do was touch up. The Tape & Drape is the best. Answer: I like the Purdy XL brush for spindles and trim. Bobby mixed the joint compound and enough water so the consistency of the mixture was like very thick paint. This will make a huge difference in the way your stairs will look. Our stair risers were already painted white, and the stair runner covered up a lot of the golden oak stair treads, and that made me very happy! Mine is dingy and feels sticky in the summer. As always Diane you continue to inspire and encourage by your efforts. Depending on how well your primer covered, three coats of paint are usually needed to get solid coverage with a roller. Dont overload the sock with paint as it will make for a sloppy application of paint with lots of drips and too thick of a coat of paint getting applied. Bobby and I knew even before we moved into our Tanglewood house that we would not live with two stories of golden oak stairs in our main living area. Even though the it looks like using a sock can make painting the spindles easier, it may but if the paint is applied too thick, it will just peel off eventually. The first step was to clean everything with an all-purpose cleaner to remove any dirt, grease, and grime. While it did not cover some of the grain, it did not cover the grain that was more deeply embedded into the wood. :-), WOW Diane I have only just discovered your blog and I love it! The obvious disadvantage is that it's going to take longer to finish the job, but when using the right roller, you can achieve professional results without all of the masking and worry about over-spray. I absolutely would have lost my mind!!! Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to comment. I want to paint the railings black. I have all new trim in my house; baseboards, windows, doors, and a staircase. All of the work was worth it for that fresh look! Start with a rough grade sandpaper, followed by a lower grade sand paper to remove the shine so that the primer and paint can adhere well. Fortunately the balusters are already white so another finish coat wouldnt be all that hard to tackle. Im so excited about the tape and drape link. Question: What would be a good primer for spindles previously stained? Answer: I would stain first. Do you feel the noise on the stairs is a small price to pay for the enhanced aesthetics? If you use high-gloss, semi-gloss and . :), Thanks Christina I have used so many products and have never used one that didnt work, but when I find products that I think make the job easier, I will always link to them. :-) Use a semi-gloss finish or if you want a very shiny look, use a gloss finish. I used to buy something similar and havent been able to find it. If you use a thin, white pigmented lacquer, instead of paint, a cup sprayer is the best option, unless the particular unit you plan on using is capable of shooting acrylic paint without having to thin it much. Using the right painters tape will help the process since the tape will keep the paint off the steps for as long as it takes to paint every spindle. In my present home, I know firsthand what will make the painting spindles process go faster. Do you stain and varnish the railings before or after painting the balusters? It's a four-inch roller that produces a fine texture, very similar to a sprayed look. If you plan ahead and schedule it on your calendar is the best way to get the project going. Please take pictures of before and after to post when you are done. This looks great!! We asked our son Christopher if he would help us with this project. How to Build a Hidden Closet Under a Staircase. That way. Is there an easier way or trick to taping the round area where the spindle joins the banister? Would we still use Cloud White on that part? Answer: Use oil primer. Thank you for that. It always fascinated me and what they did. Christopher had used this tool on the spindles of his stairs when he repainted them. I need paint my staircase. Now would be the perfect time to go sit on the deck and enjoy the changing season on the lake. I loved your old house and I love this one too. As far as staining manufactured wood. All the time put into this open stairway transformation is so worth it! The problem with golden oak is not only the orange-ish color of the wood but the grain. Good job! For project like yours I would need a year :)))) I like it because it is not toxic, smells great and removes all smudges. Using the low-pressure paint sprayer created a couple more steps in the prep process. Your email address will not be published. I would love to remove the carpet and paint the balusters white like you did. I may have the courage now that you have shown me the best way to hide the grain. It really depends on how you're applying it. So I chose an off-white rug with little beige dot-like motifs. Pop some painters tape around the top and bottom of the spindle and use a small detail brush to apply the primer to these parts. This was a big project! I cannot see the wood grain through the paint. :). The Flock Foam roller from Sherwin Williams is my personal favorite. Heres How to Choose the Right Runner for You, True Home Confession: Hodgepodge Stair Landing, How to Hire a Painter to Do Your Interiors. I hope this has given you some idea of how to paint over golden oak and how to tackle a stair remodel. How do you determine the amount of paint you need? It will make the painting time pass faster. From the front it looks like a ranch house, but from the water side you can see it is a 2-story home. Aerospace allowed me to do multiple design challenges of interior in huge buildings with multiple uses, but homes are so much fun. For a staircase, try rolling plastic sheeting out next to the spindles. Maybe it's not chairs your painting but rather stair railings or, well, anything with spindles. Apply the pieces under the handrail around the balusters, overlapping them to make sure you are getting the handrail masked off. I never leave the house with them, but they are the best for knocking around the house. What you will now have is four small areas that still need to be covered. Then slightly overlap another piece next to it. I will be using it from now on for all my painting projects. I'm betting it turns out gorgeous! The stairs and balusters look new! You can re-stain the handrail if it doesnt have a protective sealer/finish on it, like polyurethane. Cover any surfaces near the spindles to protect them from paint splatter. This looks absolutely beautiful, just like the rest of your home, Yvonne. First of all, I need to say if you have golden oak stairs in your home and love them, then thats wonderful. Great Job. Using a quality brand name primer and paint will lessen the need for more than 2 coats of paint. Hi Deb Did you see if the steps had a bullnose edge? If you have ever painted something with spindles then you know how time consuming it can be to tape them off. this is amazing, you stair railing is awesome. I love the newly painted parts of the staircase. The cost of a stair remodel varies greatly. We finally decided filling in the grain and painting the staircase with semi-gloss enamel was the best option for our stair remodel. What primer do you suggest? 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. Load the brush with minimal paint, slide up to the banister, draw it back down and you're good to go. :-) It is in many blog post photos when I showed the foyer in my previous house.