New Staircase

9/2/2013 at 6:07:51 PM

Most people paint the spindles white and match the rail to the floor colour/stain.

Easiest way to get the stain and gloss is to use a palm sander. Start with a 60 grit sand paper, then go over it with say 80 grit and finish with a 120 grit. Make sure you go with the grain otherwise you scratch the wood by going across the brain.

For hard to reach areas on the spindles, use same sand paper but only by hand being careful not to flatten any rounded designs of the spindles from over sanding.

9/2/2013 at 10:54:02 PM

Hello there is no rule for what part is painted what color and the color scheme you have chosen will work just fine. As for the question of stripping off the old paint a good product to use would be something that is environmentally friendly and non toxic but painting over the old is another option.

9/3/2013 at 9:13:52 AM

A good painter with a good paint supplier should be able to match the stain of the floors to your stairs.

9/16/2013 at 2:23:47 PM

Amy,

Any decent paint and stain contractor can sand down your stairs and apply a stain that will match your new hardwood. But that has cost associated with it.

If you want help with a do it yourself project, here's what you should do.

Sand down the balusters and newels with 60 grit. Then 100 grit, and finally with 160 grit sandpaper. Be prepared to spend some time. Then paint out the ballisters and newels.

At least two good coats.

You can also paint over existing paint, but you will find it chips off easily down the road.

Now, as for the railing. If you have spent the time to sand properly, add anothe couple of hours to the railing. You will be down to the wood grain everywhere.

Now take a peice of the new flooring you are going to have installed to a good paint and stain supply company. Call around and ask if they will match stain for you first. They are out there, trust me.

Then apply the stain to your handrail. They will have also sold you the proper clear coat to apply after staining. Just follow their instructions.

Trust me, Stain out the railing. The difference will be like night and day.

9/16/2013 at 3:27:26 PM

Thank you very much for your help.

10/1/2013 at 9:42:50 PM

Things changed, unable to paint, because the builder grade of stairs is not so nice, so it would look very cheap. So we have to recapping a treads, put new raisers and new adjustable iron balusters.

Anyone knows where can we find 48" unfinished tread relatively inexpensive? Home Depot sells a whole kit, but only 42 ". (Maybe in the States?)

Thanks!