Paint Brush For Spindles

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The 720 rule allows anodizers using our LCD (Low Current Density) anodizing method to input variables such as time, current density or desired anodized layer thickness and solve for the other paramters. Jun 24, 2019 Apply with a nylon/polyester brush. On rough-sawn or textured wood apply with a 3/4” (19 mm) long nap roller or high quality airless sprayer. For airless spraying use a.015 -.019' tip. Pump Sprayer not recommended. Always back-brush or back-roll during all application methods. Keep a wet edge to reduce lapping and help control color uniformity.

Painting staircase spindles can be easy when using the right tools, paint and making sure to include our useful painting tips and advice below.

A number of questions start to flash through your mind once you’re set on sprucing up those stair spindles with a lick of paint such as, “Do I have the mental fortitude to complete such a time consuming task?” or, “Can I do this without managing to cover the whole staircase in paint?” and, “Am I insane?”

Well, the answer to the first two questions is yes and the third question is no, you’re not insane, painting your stair spindles is not only something you can do yourself, its a task that might be easier than you first thought. At its core, painting stair spindles can be broken into 4 parts:

Paint Brush For Spindles

Best Paint Brush For Spindles

  1. Sanding Down
  2. Cleaning
  3. Applying primer
  4. Painting.

It's entirely up to you if you’d like to chant these steps as a kind of mantra as you work, it could give you extra encouragement to push through (or potentially drive you more insane, it's really 50/50).

How long does it take to paint stair spindles?

In an article by In My Own Style, it took them approximately 8 hours spanned over 4 days.

  • 2 hours to tape the areas around the spindles to protect the rest of the balustrade from accidental paint drops
  • The spindles needed 3 coats in total (depending on colour, your spindles might need less). The first coat took 3 hour, the second coat took about two hours and the last coat only an hour since all that was needed was a touch up.

How much does it cost?

The cost of painting your stair spindles will depend primarily on how many spindles you need to paint. Typically, for primer, paint and all the equipment listed below, you can buy everything for under £50.

What equipment do I need?

  • Sandpaper (100 and 220 grit)
  • Hot soapy water and a rag
  • Painters tape
  • A variety of small and large brushes (or a sock, check our painting hack at the bottom of this article)
  • Primer
  • Quick dry paint.

How do I paint stair spindles?

  1. Sanding down - Sanding will remove any old gloss or protective lacquers from the spindles, providing the perfect surface to apply the new paint for a great finish. Use fine sandpaper for this and remember to remove any carpet from the stairs first and place a sheet on the floor below to catch the dust.
  2. Cleaning - Nice and easy. Just get a damp cloth and wipe down those spindles to remove any dust and dirt that’s still on there so you’re not painting over them once you start. It's also good at this point to give the whole staircase a quick vacuum so you’ve got a nice, clean environment to work from.
  3. Applying Primer - Adding a primer before painting is very important (so don’t skip this bit!) as it’ll seal up those wooden spindles. 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. A good primer also helps enhance the overall finish. 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 will stop you sloshing primer all over the underside of your banister and stairs. Then for the rest of the spindle you can use a larger paintbrush.
  4. Painting - Remember, don’t start painting until the primer coat is completely dry! While different types of primer take different times to dry, you’re probably safest leaving at least 24 hours before applying your paint.

When you’re ready, use the same method to paint as you did with the primer; a detail brush for the tops and bottoms and a medium or large brush for the rest. Take care to use thin coats of paint and don’t overload the brush, this will stop blobs of paint dripping down the spindle and pooling at the bottom.

Top Hack - Painting stair spindles with a sock

Believe it or not, a fast and effective way to paint your stair spindles is to use an old sock. We recommend that you firstly cover and protect your hand with a plastic sandwich bag, and then put the sock over the bag. Dip your hand into the paint and apply it to all areas, making sure not to miss any of the nooks and crannies.

After letting the paint dry for about 6-8 hours you’re ready for the second coat. You can also very gently sand the spindle again before applying the second coat for that super smooth finish.

There you have it, a simple (if time consuming) task. Just remember to keep chanting that mantra and you’ll have gorgeous stair spindles in no time.

The Best way to Paint Metal Railings

By Mike Gregory

I have been a professional decorator for a lot of years and in that time, I’ve painted a hell of a lot of railings. I have used several products and methods, but always come back to the same system, not just because it looks brilliant, but also because I know it will last for years. I thought I’d put pen to paper so I can share what I think is the best way to paint metal railings. Maybe it will help you too.

The Preparation of Metal Railings

First things first, you’ve got to prep the railings. Assuming your railings are previously painted and looking very tired. The first thing you need to do is clean any heavy dirt off the surface using hot water, a cloth and a cleaning agent such as sugar soap. Any paint you apply over the top of dirt or mold will still look good for a period, but may not adhere very well to the metal and fail over time.

You also need to remove any flakey paint with a scraper or grinder, and then abrade the whole surface using sandpaper (aluminum oxide). This will give you a nice smooth surface to start with and also help with adhesion and longevity.

The next step is to prime any rust patches with oxi (or oxide) primer. This is more of a precaution more than anything because my chosen metal paint has a rust inhibitor within the product itself. That said, oxi primer definitely helps keep your metal railings rust free and looking fresh for a lot longer.

The Best Paint to use

In my honest opinion, the very best paint to use on metal railings is good old fashioned Hammerite and I’ll tell you why. You can apply Hammerite to bare metal without the need of a separate primer. On top of this, as mentioned above, Hammerite contains rust inhibitors, meaning rust will not reoccur for a long period after your railings have been painted.

The other reason I like Hammerite is its thick, creamy and rich. Everything you need to apply thick coats of paint. Opacity is bang on and the finish is brilliant too. You do get a few brush marks, but you can with any metal paint. Drying time is quick for an oil-based paint too and you can normally apply a second coat of the product in the same day.

Best way to Apply the Paint to the Railings

Best Paint Brush For Spindles

I have tried several methods over the years, but the best one I have found is by using a medium pile mini (emulsion roller) and a brush. Hammerite is thick and gloopy, as are most other metal paints, so applying it all by brush is difficult. The way to do it is simply touch blobs of paint anywhere you can’t get to with the mini roller. So normally inside any decorative swirls, top and bottom of each rail, underneath the handrail etc. This is called “cutting in”. Work on a section at a time, cut in the section, then go back and get all the larger areas with a mini roller full of paint. Be generous with the paint too!! The more you get on, the better it will look and the longer it will last. Have plenty of dustsheets out to catch any stray drips from your roller.

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