How to Stain Stair Rails

Many stair rails have tight-fitting balusters.

You can enhance the natural look of your stair rails and protect them from the elements by finishing them with the right type of stain. Many stair rails have tight-fitting balusters that make application difficult. Before you tackle this type of do-it-yourself project, perform the proper preparation steps, or you could end up permanently staining underlying surfaces.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Pressure washer
• Low-pressure tip
• Plastic drop cloths
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• One-gallon cans of oil-based stain
• Wood stirring stick
• 5-gallon bucket
• Mini-roller frame
• Shed-free mini-roller cover
• 2-inch oil paintbrush
• Mineral spirits
• Polyurethane wood sealer

Instructions

1. Dust interior rails with a broom. Wash exterior stair rails with a pressure washer equipped with a low-pressure tip. Wait a full day for the rails to dry.

2. Cover areas below the stair rails with plastic drop cloths. Lay fabric drop cloths over the plastic ones to prevent stain splatters and drips from pooling.

3. Empty the stain into the bucket. Stir it for two to three minutes.

4. Coat the rails with stain using a mini-roller equipped with a shed-free cover. Apply stain to tight, awkward areas within the stair rail balusters with the 2-inch brush. Wait two hours for the rails to dry. Apply an additional coat for richer results.

5. Wash the mini-roller and brush with mineral spirits.

6. Wait a full day for the stained rails to dry. Add a coat of polyurethane wood sealer to the balusters and rails with the 2-inch brush. Wait two hours before touching the stair rails.

Tips & Warnings

• You do not need to apply a polyurethane wood sealer unless you desire a glossy finish, as most oil stains provide adequate protection from the elements.

• Never use water to clean painting instruments used with oil-based coatings.