We spoke to professional decorator Jack Owen for his advice on how to paint stairs, and he shared with us his process:
- Firstly, do any filling, then rub the filler down with 120-180 grit sandpaper
- Hoover any dust
- Apply knotting solution to any knots in the timber – this seals them and prevents them bleeding through the paint finish
- Prime the timber with a suitable primer
- Rub again with 180 grit sandpaper then hoover again to remove any dust particles
- Caulk any areas that need to be caulked, for instance, the handrail, newel caps and around spindles
- Apply a suitable undercoat
- Give the stairs a final rub down with 240 grit sandpaper
- Hoover for the final time, then use a tack rag/cloth to remove any remaining fine dust
- Apply your finish coat as per the manufacturer’s instructions
A speedier option
As mentioned in the process above, a knotting solution needs to be applied to softwood stairs to prevent knots in the timber bleeding through the painted finish. However, StairBox now offer knot-free, pre-primed stairs and parts which only require a final paint finish - no primer or undercoat needed. Find out more about this time-saving solution to painted stairs here!
Keeping your painted stairs in top condition
Naturally, your stairs get a lot of foot traffic, so follow these tips to ensure your painted staircase remains in tip top condition:
- Protect your stairs by using a good quality doormat to trap abrasive particles on the bottom of shoes at the door
- If allowed to build up, dust, dirt or grit can act like sandpaper, scratching and dulling your painted finish. Regularly cleaning your painted stairs with a damp cloth, microfibre mop or a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment will help avoid this.
