How to Repaint Risers on Stairs

Use a 2-inch putty knife to remove loose paint chips from each stair riser. Blend the chipped area into the painted area with a fine-grit sandpaper. If the majority of the paint on your stair risers is chipping off, sand the entire riser with a medium-grit sandpaper first to remove as much of the paint as possible, then with a fine-grit sandpaper.

Vacuum as much of the dust and dirt off the stairs as possible. Wipe each stair riser with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.

Tape off the stair risers, using painter's tape, to protect the surrounding areas from getting paint on them. If your stair treads have a nose, place a piece of painter's tape over the entire nose to protect it from paint.

Dip a 2-inch paintbrush into a can of latex primer. Brush the primer over the risers' old paint. Allow the primer to dry and rinse out the paintbrush with water.

Apply a coat of paint over the primer using the same 2-inch paintbrush. Allow the first coat of paint to fully dry, then decide if you want a second coat. A second coat is recommended due to the amount of foot traffic most stairs receive.