How to Paint a Banister Handrail on a Staircase

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How to Paint a Banister Handrail on a Staircase
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The handrail can give you a sense of security as
you move along the stairway, but over time, the
oils from your skin can damage the paint, and the
simple act of sliding your hand along the
handrail can wear away the paint. Painting the
banister handrail can return it to its original
state.
1. Scrub the banister handrail with a cleaner and
degreaser, such as TSP or a TSP substitute to
remove the grease and grime left behind by your
hands over years of use. Follow all label
directions and warnings on the cleaner you
choose. Rinse the handrail with clean water to
remove any cleaner residue.
3. Fill any flaws or dents in the handrail with
wood putty. Use your fingers to apply and smooth
the putty. Allow the putty to dry overnight.
2. Scrape the banister handrail with a paint
scraper to remove any bubbled, loose or chipped
paint. Sand the surface of the handrail with an
80-grit sanding sponge to remove any areas of
paint left behind by the scraper. Use a 220-grit
sanding sponge to smooth the surface, and then
wipe the banister handrail with tack cloth.
4. Sand the dried wood putty with the 220-grit
sponge. Wipe the surface with tack cloth once
again.
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7. Paint the handrail with interior enamel paint
with a clean 2-inch trim paintbrush. Allow the
paint to dry to the touch, and then apply a
second coat.
5. Wrap the balusters in painters tape where
they meet the bottom of the handrail. If the
handrail touches the wall, apply painters tape
to the wall to protect the wall from paint.
Spread a drop cloth along the stairs beneath the
handrail.
6. Apply a sealing primer to the handrail with a
2-inch trim paintbrush. Let the sealing primer
dry for 24 hours. The sealing primer blocks
stains from bleeding through the paint, and
provides the paint with better adhesion, giving
it a more attractive appearance and the ability
to last longer than paints applied without a
sealing primer. Sand the primed surface with a
new 220-grit sanding sponge. Wipe the handrail
with tack cloth.
8. Remove the painters tape from the balusters
and the wall before the second coat dries
completely to avoid pulling the paint from the
handrail after it dries.
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r-handrail-staircase-35330.html