How to Paint Spindles

Painting Over Previously Painted Spindles

• 1

  Sand the spindles using 100-grit sandpaper. Sand the surface vertically, going with the wood grain, not against it. After you're finished sanding, wipe the spindles with a damp rag to remove the dust.

• 2

  Remove the dust from the base of the spindles. Apply painter's tape along the base of each spindle and on the top where the spindle meets the rail.

• 3

  Cover the floors with drop cloths to keep paint drips off of the floor directly below the spindles. Cover the floors on the ground level as well, if you're working on a second level where paint drips could fall all the way to the ground.

• 4

  Apply a coat of primer to the spindles using a curved roller. The curved roller fits perfectly around the spindle and reduces paint drips and sprinkles. Follow the primer manufacturer's recommendations for drying time.

• 5

  Use a 2-inch nylon paint brush to brush the paint into tight areas that the roller cannot reach.

• 6

  Roll either semi-gloss, gloss or enamel onto the spindles with the curved roller. Roll over the spindle a couple times to smooth out the paint and make a fine stipple. Do not use flat or eggshell paints on spindles. Glossy paints and enamels provide a washable surface and a shiny appearance.

• 7

  Apply a second coat of paint and, if needed, a third coat. Start painting in the same place you started the previous coat, to ensure that the paint has dried completely. Avoid skipping spindles while painting. Work from one side of the staircase to the other.

Painting Unfinished Wooden Spindles

• 8

  Sand the spindles using steel wool to prevent scratch marks. Remove sanding dust by wiping the spindles with a tack cloth.

• 9

  Cover the floors with drop cloths to keep paint drips off of the floor directly below the spindles. Cover the floors on the ground level as well, if you're working on a second level where paint drips could fall all the way to the ground. Apply painter's tape along the base of each spindle and on the top where the spindle meets the rail.

• 10

  Using a 2-inch paint brush, apply a coat of shellac to unfinished spindles before applying any paint. Allow the shellac to dry before painting.

• 11

  Use a 2-inch paint brush to paint tight areas where the roller won't fit. Use a glossy latex paint such as semi-gloss, gloss or enamel.

• 12

  Apply the first coat of paint using a curved roller. Allow the paint to dry and then apply a final second coat of paint, if necessary.

Painting over metal spindles.

• 13

  Remove rust using a wire brush or scraper, and sand the spindles with 100-grit aluminum-oxide sandpaper.

• 14

  Cover the stairs and floors with drop cloths, and tape off the base of each spindle.

• 15

  Using a small curved paint roller, apply one coat of metal primer on each spindle. Use a specialized rust primer to prevent rust spots from bleeding through the surface. If you're re-painting the metal spindles black, choose a tinted primer to allow for better coverage on the next coat of paint.

• 16

  Brush in hard-to-reach areas on the spindles with a 2-inch paint brush. Use a black or dark colored interior paint, suitable for metal application. Select a glossy paint finish.

• 17

  Apply a second and third coat of paint, if necessary. If you're painting white over a dark color, it may require at least three coats of paint.