How to Resurface Interior Metal Stair Railings

Metal stair rails typically consist of iron and can be found on exterior and interior portions of the home. While interior metal railings typically wear better than outdoor railings, eventually they require resurfacing, which means removing old paint and rusty areas before repainting. The process is identical to refinishing outdoor stairs but proper preparation is required to protect the surrounding floor areas inside the home.

Tarps
Painter's tape
Wire brush
80-grit sandpaper
Chemical-resistant gloves
Respirator
Sponge
Phosphoric acid
Oil-based metal primer
Paintbrush
Oil-based metal paint

Instructions

- 1
  Spread tarps on all surrounding stair and floor areas near the metal railing. Protect the stair wood under each railing by applying painter's tape around the perimeter of each railing post.
- 2
  Put on safety glasses and scrub all surfaces of the metal railing with a wire brush to remove loose and peeling paint. Sand any areas of rust, using 80-grit sandpaper until they are as smooth as the surrounding metal.
- 3
  Put on chemical-resistant gloves and a respirator. Open all nearby widows to provide adequate ventilation. Saturate a sponge in phosphoric acid and wipe all portions of the rail with the sponge to prevent new rust spots from forming.
- 4
  Wait 24 hours and re-brush the entire railing with the wire brush to remove any additional rust spots.
- 5
  Open a can of oil-based metal primer and paint a thin layer on surfaces of the railing, using the paintbrush to get into small crevices. Let the primer dry overnight.
- 6
  Open a can of oil-based metal paint and apply it to all of the railing surfaces, using a fresh brush. Wait an additional 24 hours, then peel off the tape and roll up the tarps.

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