Advice on staircase prep and DIY painting pls

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I have wood staircase which I'd like to paint light grey (or maybe white). Looking to DIY in the summer but would like to start to prepare for what's needed.

I'm thinking the below steps are required but not sure the best way to do it and what products to use so would really appreciate some advices and directions, anything is welcomed.

1. Prep the staircase
The wood staircase appears glossy, so I think it's either a clear coat or wax that I need to remove. Considering we are still living in the house when I do the work I want to minimise the dust, so is it possible to use wet sandpaper or damp low grade steel wool to strip down then clean off the remaining?

2. Prime
I painted the internal door on existing paint, think it was oil based because it was yellowing badly but very durable. At that time I did not spend much time researching so picked up Dulux waterbased quick dry satin white paint. Did the job but very easy to peel off.

Considering this is heavy traffic area I 'd like to make sure I am not skipping steps and use correct products. I assume it's better to use primer in this case? What's the recommended prime?

3. Paint
I will use brush to paint. So prefer easy paint due to my skill level. I think oil based is better in terms of durability? Could you recommend some brand/products that's proven to be durable to be used on staircases? I am looking to paint in a light grey shade so will need the paint to have as many options as possible or better the option for customised mix.


I'm looking to collect information and work out the plan in the next couple of weeks so any feedback are welcome and appreciated.
 
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If its been oiled/waxed you might have a pita waiting to happen, so hopefully it is some sort of varnish/coating that dries.

Do not under estimate how long it will take to prep and paint, did mine in the old house, two whole weekends to to go from old white gloss to new white gloss. There is just so many of the spindles!

Modern oil based often does yellow sadly as they arnt allowed to have the same stuff in it, so while you don't get full-gloss with water-based, its becoming the norm even thought its harder to get the brush marks out.

Because it is such a faff, pick a colour you are going to like for many years to come!


Daniel
 
What ^^^ dhutch said!

In answer to your questions:

1) Two options - use a sander with dust extraction and/or use a green saucepan scourer - you can use the scourer with a cleaning spray etc so it also acts as a degreaser, if you go to home bargains you can get stardrops spray for £1 and it's pretty good!

2) Priming - I'd probably go for zinsser bin, especially if you think the wood was previously waxed. You might be OK with Zinsser bullseye 123 (water based), it's certainly a lot less smelly but may not adhere quite as well as BIN.

3) Durability - you're probably right about oil based but it does yellow compared to water based. I don't think water based is too bad durability wise once fully cured but whilst it dries very quickly it can takes weeks to fully cure. The best luck I've had with water-based wood paint so far is with Albany super satin and crown fast-flow - the latter can be colour matched if you want something other than white.
 
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If its been oiled/waxed you might have a pita waiting to happen, so hopefully it is some sort of varnish/coating that dries.

Do not under estimate how long it will take to prep and paint, did mine in the old house, two whole weekends to to go from old white gloss to new white gloss. There is just so many of the spindles!

Modern oil based often does yellow sadly as they arnt allowed to have the same stuff in it, so while you don't get full-gloss with water-based, its becoming the norm even thought its harder to get the brush marks out.

Because it is such a faff, pick a colour you are going to like for many years to come!


Daniel

Thanks for your advice. I’m actually not very sure how the they were treated but it does have the gloss and feels silky smooth.

I’ve done repainting the door and certainly can image the pain going through the staircase, that’s why I told the better half to get down to the paint and pick it herself - I will not paint twice.



iOS Image - 3666652635.jpg
iOS Image - 3514862418.jpg
 
What ^^^ dhutch said!

In answer to your questions:

1) Two options - use a sander with dust extraction and/or use a green saucepan scourer - you can use the scourer with a cleaning spray etc so it also acts as a degreaser, if you go to home bargains you can get stardrops spray for £1 and it's pretty good!

2) Priming - I'd probably go for zinsser bin, especially if you think the wood was previously waxed. You might be OK with Zinsser bullseye 123 (water based), it's certainly a lot less smelly but may not adhere quite as well as BIN.

3) Durability - you're probably right about oil based but it does yellow compared to water based. I don't think water based is too bad durability wise once fully cured but whilst it dries very quickly it can takes weeks to fully cure. The best luck I've had with water-based wood paint so far is with Albany super satin and crown fast-flow - the latter can be colour matched if you want something other than white.

Thanks so much Chud! I checked out the Zinsser paint and seemed also favorable by some trade men. I went ahead and bought the paint, will clean a spindle with cleaning stuff and paint one see how it holds.

Where can you normally get the crown paint mixed? I’m definitely getting a grey shaded color so most likely not off the shelf paint.
 
What ^^^ dhutch said!

In answer to your questions:

1) Two options - use a sander with dust extraction and/or use a green saucepan scourer - you can use the scourer with a cleaning spray etc so it also acts as a degreaser, if you go to home bargains you can get stardrops spray for £1 and it's pretty good!

2) Priming - I'd probably go for zinsser bin, especially if you think the wood was previously waxed. You might be OK with Zinsser bullseye 123 (water based), it's certainly a lot less smelly but may not adhere quite as well as BIN.

3) Durability - you're probably right about oil based but it does yellow compared to water based. I don't think water based is too bad durability wise once fully cured but whilst it dries very quickly it can takes weeks to fully cure. The best luck I've had with water-based wood paint so far is with Albany super satin and crown fast-flow - the latter can be colour matched if you want something other than white.
I used these rollers to apply satinwood on my staircase. Finished really nice.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Axus-Décor...i+roller+axus&qid=1554200271&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Thanks for the recommendation, got a pack of these, how about brushes? Any good ones for painting the spindles?
 
Get the paint mixed at Crown Decorators centre as it is trade paint far superior than buying Crown from b & q.
They have lots of different brushes in there to choose from.
 
Thanks for the recommendation, got a pack of these, how about brushes? Any good ones for painting the spindles?

Get the paint mixed at Crown Decorators centre as it is trade paint far superior than buying Crown from b & q.
They have lots of different brushes in there to choose from.

What gc1967 says - in addition I googled instruction vids for fast flow and the crown expert recommends applying it with a medium pile (mini) roller and laying it off with a loaded brush, this is what I've been doing and it works pretty well but may depend on how intricate your spindles are.
 
Get the paint mixed at Crown Decorators centre as it is trade paint far superior than buying Crown from b & q.
They have lots of different brushes in there to choose from.

Thanks, will go to the store for both paint and brushes then.
 

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