Have you noticed your banisters aren't looking their best anymore?
It’s easily done. Any home owner with stairs will know that the bannister and its spindles are an essential touchpoint that gets used everyday. With that everyday usage comes constant wiping which will eventually cause the paint to both yellow, and disappear.
Follow this guide for intel on how to bring your banisters back to life!
As with any project, you must prepare your workspace before carrying out any work. Begin by clearing the area around the stairs, for example, removing any stair baskets and other adornments.
The next steps depend on the current condition of your banisters. If the paint is already peeling, it may be worth using a paint stripper to give you a smooth, clean surface to which the new paint can stick evenly, or in some cases, you can use a fine grit sandpaper and lightly sand the surface to allow the paint to adhere.
For our guide on using paint stripper to remove paint from your banister, tap here.
Once you’ve prepared your banisters, you’ll want to wipe the surface with a damp cloth to ensure you’ve removed all paint dust and flakes, as these have the propensity to leave a less than perfect finish - completely ruining all prep work. It may even be worth giving everything a once over with the hoover!
Whilst a primer isn’t essential with every paint project, as some paints don’t require it, it’s recommended because of the benefits.
Using primer prepares the painting surface and seals any stains, so that the paint can adhere properly, giving the smoothest, cleanest finish possible - making every step of the process worth it.
A primer we would recommend is Farrow and Ball Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat.
Farrow and Ball Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat is the perfect base for interior bare or previously painted wood before applying the topcoat, specifically if using Farrow and Ball’s Full Gloss.
Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat is water based and is extremely durable and flexible. It seals the surface and prevents uneven absorption of top coats into the wood. As well as this, it’s available in four colours each is specifically designed to go with certain coloured top coats. The four shades it’s available in is: Mid Tones, Dark Tones, Red and Warm Tones and White and Light Tones.
You’ve prepped and you’ve primed - let’s paint!
As mentioned, banisters are a high-traffic area; as such, we’d recommend using a gloss paint, such as Farrow and Ball Full Gloss. It’s both washable and wipeable - making it easier to look fresher for longer.
With its ultra high gloss finish, at 95% sheen level, Farrow and Ball Full Gloss provides a glamorous, high shine finish for interior and exterior wood and metal that’s durable and versatile, resisting water, flaking, peeling and fading for up to 6 years.
The best part?
It’s available in 148 colours, meaning your banisters don’t have to be boring - you can paint them any colour! (But don’t fear, they Full Gloss comes in white too!)
Using a smaller brush, begin painting in even strokes. Farrow and Ball Full Gloss requires four hours drying time between coats, and for the best finish, you should apply two coats.
If you’re painting with a darker colour, a third coat may be required.
Farrow and Ball’s Full Gloss can last for up to six years, but proper maintenance is encouraged to ensure that it lasts as long as it should.
Farrow and Ball recommend that you wipe the surface gently with a soft damp cloth or sponge.
Feeling inspired?
Explore what colours Farrow and Ball’s Full Gloss is available in to change your home today!
