Paint the stairs with stain. We paint a pine staircase with our own hands: choice of varnish, nuances and painting technology

Being a natural material, wood is in great demand for the construction of buildings, partitions, for the production of furniture and as additional interior elements. However, the tree is very susceptible to certain atmospheric phenomena, and it is also afraid of rodents and insects. That is why proper wood processing is very important and if you want the maximum lifespan of a wood product, you should know not only the names of suitable solutions, but also the technology for processing certain mixtures. Today I want to talk about how to paint a staircase with your own hands, how to paint a wooden staircase to the second floor, and what is special about painting a pine staircase.

Need painting

Painting the stairs

Many people do not understand why paint wooden surfaces if they have such a beautiful texture that can change due to chemical materials. However, the application of impregnations and coloring agents is necessary for:

• In order to protect your flight of stairs from various pests
• To prevent its rapid wear
• From the negative effects of sunlight
• Moisture, mold or, conversely, excessive drying of the material

One of the main advantages that are not related to protective functions is appearance stairs after painting. Since with its help you can fit this element into any interior solution.

Important! Do you see the need for painting? wooden stairs with your hands on your face. An untreated transition will not serve you for a long time and efficiently, and the possibility of replacing some parts or the entire structure is an expensive pleasure.

If you use the right products to treat a pine staircase, you will not only not spoil the appearance of the structure, but will also highlight its advantages. The materials can be:

1. stain
2. Enamel
3. Dye
4. Varnish

Advantages of pine stairs

Painting a pine staircase

When I built on my own summer cottage house, then the construction of the second floor was fundamental for me. To save a little money, I decided to use solid pine as the material for constructing the stairs. Therefore, let's tell you a little about the properties inherent in a wooden staircase:

• Being budget material, pine is perfect for economical construction
• Despite the fact that pine is not as durable as oak or larch, it has a favorable appearance and good wear resistance
• If we compare spruce and pine, the second material is much better, as it has fewer knots and a denser texture
• The unique pattern and light color of pine is an added plus

Important! The growth time of the tree directly plays a role in the density of pine. And since this process It is impossible to control, then when purchasing the material and carrying out the processing, you may notice that the products are absorbed unevenly.

When arranging a staircase with your own hands, its step is most often made from edged solid board. However, for steps you can also use laminated boards, which are more durable and wear-resistant.

How to paint the stairs

Painted pine staircase

If you are thinking about what to use to process a pine staircase, then here is a small list and short description possible materials:

1. Impregnation with antiseptic and fire retardant properties - can be made on a water, acrylic, alcohol or wax basis
2. Stain for tinting - the wood texture remains the same but becomes more expressive. Can be produced on the above bases and additionally on chemical
3. Polish is a transparent mixture that does not give the material a new shade and retains the existing color and texture. Very often the polish is applied over paint or varnish, thereby giving the stairs an even more favorable appearance.
4. Varnish is a transparent protective layer that should be applied over stain
5. Enamel is a pigmented varnish that can create matte or glossy layers.
6. Paint is a very popular material that has not only protective, but also decorative properties. You can choose paint to suit any interior and room design.

You can paint a wooden staircase yourself, but before doing so, you should look at the table. When we have figured out how to paint the stairs, it is worth finding out the advantages and disadvantages of types of paint:

Type of paintwork	pros	Minuses
Oily	It is moisture resistant and has a rich color. When painted, it forms a dense and protective film	They are not breathable and take a long time to dry. Over time, peeling may begin
Enamel	Has the property of quick drying, is moisture resistant and evenly applied	Can only be used for interior spaces, also the only matte surface is obtained
Acrylic, Acrylate	Lays down evenly, water-soluble, dries quickly. Is breathable	Matte finish
Alkyd	Ability to create smooth surfaces, dries quickly, moisture resistant	There is a pungent odor and the contents contain solvents. Is a short-lived coating

Painting the stairs can be done using any of the above materials; which type to use is your choice. I hope with the help of the table you will be able to choose the right paint.

DIY painting

DIY painting of pine stairs

Before painting the stairs, you should study the technology of the work. At the same time, I want to give some tips on how to paint a pine staircase in order to get a coating with maximum term operation.

So, how to paint a wooden staircase made from solid pine:

• The first step is to deal with the problem of pine - it's resin. To do this, use acetone or turpentine. These materials remove all tar manifestations, and the processing tool is an ordinary rag
• On next stage Preparatory work is carried out, which consists of filling the damaged areas. For this process, it is better to choose acrylic wood putty. Since the material shrinks when it dries, the mixture should be applied in 2-3 layers, and the surface should be sanded between layers. Since we will be painting our stairs in the future, the color of the putty can be any color. But if you have to apply varnish, then you need to choose a putty that matches the color of the stairs
• Sanding is a mandatory and important activity. Using this will help you in this process. grinder, however, be prepared for the fact that hard-to-reach places will still have to be processed manually. Sandpaper is used in different grits, but do not jump from finer to coarse grains. Zeroing during processing is used only at the grinding stage between layers
• Painting flight of stairs should be done with a brush. Due to their viscosity, alkyd enamel and varnish cannot be applied using a spray gun, and the use of a roller is prohibited due to the complex surface. The material is applied in several layers, and if you decide to use polyurethane varnish, then prepare for the fact that the number of layers may increase to 6-7. After you have applied the first coat, let it dry well and sand it down with fine-grade sandpaper. This is important when using enamel or varnish for pine, since raising the pile prevents high-quality coating, and we don’t need it at all
• Do not forget that before starting any finishing work associated with coating with various paints and impregnations, you should very carefully clean the room where the pine staircase is located. The fact is that dust can harm the appearance of the coating by settling on it at the most unnecessary moment. The painting material must be of high quality, so think about choosing the type of paint in advance

Do-it-yourself painting of pine stairs

Cleaning of the room is carried out after work with surface grinding, as this process is very dusty. Before painting, several layers of primer should be applied, and if in this case the villi begin to rise and swell, then sanding and application of primer will need to be done again. When applying paint, which is thinner than varnishes, you can use a pneumatic sprayer - but do not forget to use a respirator. When several layers are applied, the second should be applied perpendicular to the first, and the third perpendicular to the second. Do not forget that subsequent layers can be applied only after the previous one has dried, this way you will not have smudges and the coating will be of the highest quality without color transitions. When you paint an already installed staircase, always start at the top and work your way down - this way you will not catch the already painted surface.

Never be afraid to do something with your own hands, because without trying you will never know about your abilities and if you succeed, then you can really save not only on purchasing a structure from available material, but also on the painting work itself.

The internal staircase is a functional element and a noticeable accent in the interior of the house. Most often it is built from pine wood. The designer’s task is to ensure that the architectural component blends harmoniously into the environment and performs its tasks for as long as possible. To do this, pine stairs are treated with special means and painted in accordance with the overall design.

What are the advantages of making stairs from pine

Solid pine is used in the construction and finishing of budget wooden houses. This wood is not as durable as oak, cedar or larch, but it is quite wear-resistant, more common, cheap and accessible. Pine is better than spruce because it has a denser texture and much fewer knots, which reduce the strength of the lumber.

Pine products are distinguished by a pleasant light golden or almost white color and a unique pattern.

Pine has a pleasant light golden or almost white color

Features of pine wood

Working with pine is somewhat more difficult than working with cedar or oak. Soft wood requires fine sanding and careful selection of finishing agents.

The density of the material depends on the growing conditions of the tree:

• During warm periods, intensively growing fibers form a loose mass. Cold years provide hard and dense wood.
• Pine harvested in the mountains has a dense and uniform texture, while pine grown on sandy soils- light, loose, fibrous.
• Northern pine is of better quality than material mined in southern latitudes.

That's why most of the resulting lumber absorbs processing agents unevenly. Unsightly stains appear under the transparent coating, which is extremely unpleasant for aesthetic reasons. Resin (resin) contributes to the appearance of color spots on the surface of pine products. If the raw materials are harvested in winter, when the bulk of the resin is pumped by the tree into the root system, the fibers remain drier, cleaner and stronger. They absorb processing agents evenly. Stains and stains appear on wood cut down during the spring-summer sap flow. When brought into a warm, dry room, it begins to push the resin out.

The steps of internal stairs are usually built from edged solid boards. But they often use glued boards, which have greater strength and wear resistance. The difference in the color of the lamellas from which such a board is assembled is especially noticeable. In addition, the lamellas begin to warp over time due to changes in humidity, and gaps form between them.

On glued boards the difference in the color of the lamellas is especially noticeable

If you want to leave the interfloor wooden staircase in its original natural color, you will have to use special processing agents: primer, mastic, wax, stain. A simpler option is to apply a decorative opaque coating to the pine staircase.

Why should you paint your home?

The statement that wood is beautiful and does not need painting is completely false. Wood does have an attractive appearance, but it is very vulnerable to insects, mold, hard shoe soles, dirt, and fire. The steps wear out especially quickly.

Stair treads wear out the fastest

Therefore, it is necessary to paint a pine staircase. If you want to see the natural grain of the wood, paint it with at least a clear varnish, but be sure to paint it!

The paint creates a hard protective coating that does not allow the wood fibers to be prematurely “wetted out.” It is inedible for bugs and unsuitable for rot and mold. Impregnations greatly enhance protection and extend service life.

How to paint

To process pine stairs, the following are used:

To ensure a high-quality and durable coating, cover the wood only with high-quality materials purchased in specialized stores or from manufacturers.

Which painting material to choose: comparison table

Types of paints	Advantages	Flaws
Oily	Moisture-resistant, rich in color, creates a reliable protective film	They take a long time to dry, do not “breathe”, have a strong toxic odor, lose their shine in areas of wear, are afraid of alkalis, and can peel off over time
	Moisture resistant, form the most durable and smooth surface, dry quickly, lie flat	They provide only a matte surface and are intended only for interior work
Acrylic, acrylate	Water-repellent, breathable, water-soluble, quick-drying, low odor, lays flat	They only provide a matte surface.
Alkyd	Moisture-resistant, dry quickly, form a smooth surface with a polishing effect

For stairs, use matte or semi-gloss paints. Glossy steps and railings lose their shine over time due to constant use and look untidy. You won’t be able to quickly refresh the color; you’ll have to sand and repaint all surfaces.

Materials and tools

• Primer
• Solvent, paint cleaner
• Paint, enamel, varnish
• Wood putty
• Sealant
• Masking tape
• Protective film
• Putty knife
• Napkins, rags, rags
• Scraper
• Sanding tool, sandpaper
• Mini rolls, brushes
• Protective equipment: gloves, respirator (“petal” or others).

Procedure for working with paint or enamel

All work with paints and solvents should be carried out in the warm season to ensure constant ventilation of the room.

Video: How to properly paint steps

Procedure for working with varnish

Preparing and covering stairs with stain + video

1. Complete all preliminary work: protecting adjacent surfaces, cleaning, puttying, sealing, sanding.
2. Using a paint brush, apply stain one step at a time. Leave for 2-3 minutes to absorb. Use a dry, lint-free cotton rag to thoroughly wipe off any excess substance, moving it only in a longitudinal direction.
3. Treat all steps, balusters, and railings in the same way.
4. If the color of the impregnation is uneven, repeat the treatment. To ensure that the stain applies evenly, does not leave stains, and better emphasizes the texture of the wood, wet the surface with water before applying it. When working with stain, wear rubber gloves, as hand contact with soiled rags is inevitable.

Before staining the entire staircase, experiment with the tone on a small, inconspicuous area.

Finishing varnish (with video instructions)

• For stairs, it is advisable to use matte and semi-gloss varnishes. They do not show signs of wear, and the slip coefficient of the matte surface is lower, which makes the stairs safer.

Wear on the glossy surface is especially unsightly

• Combined coatingTo paint the interior stairs, you can use a combined method. For example, paint the vertical parts of the steps and balusters, and protect the more easily worn horizontal parts of the steps and railings with parquet varnish.

The best varnish for steps is polyurethane parquet. It is expensive, but extremely durable.

When working with a spray gun, the use of a respirator is mandatory.

Painting interior stairs does not present serious difficulties and is quite accessible to the home craftsman. If you purchased quality materials and follow the technology when working, your staircase will perform its tasks and look brilliant for a very long time.

Wood is rightfully considered the most popular building material for the manufacture of stairs of any design. But when arranging flights of stairs, it is necessary to take into account that each type of lumber is processed differently.

For example, the structure of coniferous materials contains resin, which negatively affects the paintwork. Therefore, you not only need to know how to paint a wooden staircase, but also what paints for wooden stairs are best to use for a particular type of wood.

There are two traditional types of timber coloring:

1. opaque;
2. transparent.

Coating wood with a transparent or translucent varnish allows you to highlight the natural beauty of the wood. Treating wood with opaque compounds allows you to create a uniform colored film on the surface of the material, the shade of which will correspond to the declared dye.

How do professionals paint wooden staircases, and what paint should be used to paint a wooden staircase in a house so that it fits harmoniously into the interior of the house?

The retail chain offers a varied selection of quality paint and varnish compositions and additional materials for processing internal and external wooden structures are:

• varnishes;
• paints;
• enamels;
• stains;
• polishes.

In order to confidently navigate the variety of the above dyes and know the best way to paint a wooden staircase in a house, you need to familiarize yourself with the approximate characteristics and properties of paints and varnishes. This way you can understand what paint or varnish needs to be used to finish a particular structural element of a flight of stairs.

Lucky

Varnishes for wood finishing are divided into five main categories according to their composition:

• nitrocellulose;
• alcohol varnishes;
• oil varnishes;
• polyurethane;
• acrylic varnishes.

Nitrocellulose paints and varnishes

Nitrocellulose varnishes are a composition of varnish colloxylin, various resins and low molecular weight plasticizers in combination with volatile organic solvents. They are distinguished by the speed of drying and the increased strength of the applied coating.

They are highly resistant to seasonal weather conditions; thanks to this property, nitrocellulose varnishes can be used for painting wooden exterior stairs.

Tips: for example, if you decide to paint wooden porch residential building, then the question: how to paint a wooden staircase on the street must be divided into two components. The first component is the choice of paint or varnish for exterior work, taking into account the coloring of the parapet of the flight of stairs. The second question is how to paint the steps of a wooden staircase, and it is related to the choice of paint or varnish only for the steps of the flight of stairs, since the operational requirements for covering the steps differ from the requirements for the staircase railings.

Solutions of plant resins in alcohol solvents (usually ethyl alcohol) are called alcohol varnishes.

The most popular alcohol varnishes are:

• shellac;
• rosin;
• carbinol.

Alcohol-based varnishes dry quickly and are easily polished to a mirror finish. The main disadvantages of alcohol-containing varnishes are their price, low moisture resistance and negative frost resistance. They are used only for painting work in dry interior areas.

Oil varnishes

Oil varnishes are based on vegetable oils and resins of synthetic or natural origin that have undergone heat treatment.

Varnishes are available in two coating options:

1. glossy oil varnish;
2. matte oil varnish.

The most popular varnish is with a matte finish. After the coating dries, depending on the chosen dye, a transparencies yellowish in color. The disadvantage of oil varnish is its slow drying, which significantly lengthens the time of finishing the elements of a wooden staircase.

Paints and varnishes based on oil solvents have low moisture resistance and low resistance to variable mechanical loads. Therefore, the use of oil varnishes for finishing works limited to internal staircase structures.

Polyurethane varnishes

Polyurethane varnishes are compounds of high molecular weight resins that form durable coatings with high performance characteristics: wear resistance, resistance to chemical and active mechanical influences. Widely used for painting steps and railings of outdoor wooden stairs.

Acrylic varnishes

This is a special type of paint coating - a combination of plastic dispersion with synthetic acrylic material, dissolved in water. The composition of ready-to-use acrylic varnish includes additives of an antiseptic and a plasticizer, which gives strength and transparency to the finish coat.

Their composition may include:

1. single-component;
2. two-component.

Two-component acrylic varnish is a combination of acrylic and polyurethane binders. Acrylic varnish is unique in its technical specifications and is universal in its use. Here's how to paint the steps of a wooden staircase so that they meet the most stringent operational requirements.

In addition, the surface covered with acrylic varnish dries quickly and serves as reliable protection for wooden stairs from mechanical damage.

Special compositions for wood processing

No matter how beautiful the natural structure of wood is, over time and under the influence external factors the wood and varnish surface of stairs lose their presentation and attractiveness.

To extend the life of wooden stairs or maintain the original gloss of the varnish coating, special compounds are used:

• primers;
• antiseptic compounds;
• stains;
• polishes.

For example, how to paint a wooden staircase in a house before the final clear coat with colorless varnish in order to change the visible structure of the wood (tint) to suit your individual preferences. The most acceptable option is stain.

Stains

Stain (stain) is a special liquid (impregnation) to give the wooden elements of the stairs the required color. This is usually the color of noble wood species.

Stains differ from varnishes in that the active elements of impregnation penetrate deep into the structure of wooden structures and paint them from the inside, preserving the natural texture and pattern of the fibers of the material. The process of painting a wooden staircase occurs without the formation of a surface film, unlike painting wood with varnishes or enamels.

Stain or stains are:

• water;
• alcohol;
• based on nitro solvents (nitrous).

Nitrate and alcohol stains are characterized by protective properties, while simultaneously performing all the functions of antiseptic impregnations.

In a subgroup of such stains there are compositions that do not color the wood, but serve solely to protect it. This makes it possible to use a colorless transparent varnish coating after tinting and antiseptic protection of wood with stains.

Water-based stains are rarely used for painting stairs. They are used mainly for painting small parts of wooden structures.

Alcohol and nitro stains dry quickly, are easier to work with and have a rich color scheme dyes used. Available in the form of a dry powder or a ready-to-use liquid solution.

Polishes

Polishes are special liquids based on resinous substances used for polishing the varnish surface of wooden structures. After covering the flight of stairs with paint or varnish, you can refine the glossy base by rubbing the wooden surface of the stairs to a mirror shine with polish.

Polishes are produced:

1. alcohol;
2. on a nitro basis.

The most popular are alcohol polishes. Polishing a wooden staircase with alcohol polish is carried out using a cloth swab moistened with polish.

For polishing surfaces varnished with nitrocellulose varnish, only nitro polishes are used.

Paints and enamels

Paints are suspensions of pigments or their solutions with fillers dissolved in drying oil, oil, latex, etc. Paints, when used, form an opaque, durable, uniform film on the surface of a wooden staircase.

Tools for working with paints:

• brushes;
• rollers;
• spray;
• solvent;
• clean rags.

The names “enamel” and “paint” are not identical. Enamel is a mixture of inorganic dyes with fillers and additives dissolved in film-forming varnishes, which after drying create a glossy opaque film with a variety of textures. In terms of parameters such as elasticity and coating strength, enamels are superior to oil and water-dispersion paints.

And again the questions - how to paint a wooden staircase in a house and what paint for the steps of a wooden staircase is most acceptable? Or maybe enamel is better?

We will consider these and other questions regarding paints and enamels further in the following sections, and for a more visual demonstration, watch the video about painting a staircase in this article.

Paints: properties, material characteristics

Wooden stairs are painted with a variety of paints and enamels. The purpose of the painting procedure is to cover the surface of the wood in order to protect the wooden surface from harmful influences, or for the purpose of simulating any valuable breed tree.

Paint for wooden stairs inside the house can be:

• oil;
• acrylic;
• nitrocellulose;
• enamels.

Oil paint for wooden stairs

Oil paints are characterized by good adhesion to a wooden base, and provide reliable protection wood from various atmospheric influences. The surface of a wooden staircase, painted with an oil paint composition, is distinguished by a durable smooth coating with a beautiful semi-glossy sheen.

Can be used both for indoor wooden stairs and for outdoor wooden stairs. But with one caveat - do not use oil paint as a coating for the steps of internal and external stairs.

The service life of a coating painted with oil paint is 10 years, provided that the painting was done on a new, clean wooden surface, and when performing finishing work, it was used original instructions manufacturer's plant.

Acrylic paint for wood

Acrylic paints are synthetic compositions based on polyacrylates. The binding components are water and coloring pigments. When moisture evaporates, particles of plastic polymers create a stable and elastic film on the surface of the wood.

Acrylic paints are odorless and, despite their water content, have increased moisture resistance and resistance to temperature changes. The surface of the stairs, covered acrylic paint, easy to clean with any cleaning products.

Acrylic mixtures are easily tinted, do not burn, dry quickly and are not affected by ultraviolet rays, which allows their use for painting external wooden stairs.

Acrylic synthetic compositions have a long service life (more than 15 years) and are much cheaper than other water-based paints.

Nitrocellulose paints

Nitrocellulose paints for wood are easy to use, increased wear resistance and excellent coating quality. High surface elasticity, heat resistance, moisture resistance - this is far from full list advantages of nitrocellulose paint.

When applied to the surface of the stairs, a thin, almost transparent film is created. The complete drying time for a nitro paint surface is 2 hours. Nitrocellulose paints can be used both outdoors and indoors.

Enamels

Enamel is very similar to paint and differs only in its composition. It is a combination of fillers and pigments dissolved in a mixture of artificial polymer. The enamel coating of the stairs has an expressive shine and is more durable in comparison with a similar paint coating.

Enamels are applied using a brush or spray. Wood enamels are used only for interior work. Drying of the enamel coating should take place at an air temperature of at least 20°C for 72 hours.

Finishing wooden stairs

Finishing process wooden elements stairs includes the following operations:

• mechanical surface treatment (grinding, etc.);
• coating wooden stairs with special compounds (antiseptics, primers);
• surface painting.

Wooden stairs in the house are often made with an opaque coating. This is not the norm, but just a widespread tradition.

Because transparent coating with paints and varnishes requires hard wood with careful selection of elements in terms of texture, color and quality, which is slow and expensive.

In addition, when choosing what to paint wooden steps stairs in the house, it is better to opt for an opaque coating. An opaque coating is applied to the surface of the stairs in several layers, which allows you to hide all the defects made during the manufacture of the steps. Especially if these steps were done independently.

Stairs made by yourself can combine two types of coating. For example, the railings are painted with enamel, and the steps are varnished, or the same parts are varnished in two different shades.

Grinding

Before painting a wooden staircase, it is necessary to carry out the following list of preparatory work:

1. remove lint (tears) from the front surface of the wood;
2. putty (for opaque coating);
3. primer;
4. antiseptic treatment.

After this, sand the surface of the wooden staircase using sandpaper attached to a wooden block or using an electric sander.

Tips: Use electric power carefully grinder- with strong pressure during the grinding process, you can only increase the flaws that you were trying to eliminate.

On wooden block 10–15 cm long, stick on a piece of sandpaper and get to work. For ease of work, make three bars at once: with fine, medium and coarse grain.

Sanding the parts of a wooden staircase is carried out along the grain, and not across it. The surface of the sandpaper must be periodically cleaned of wood dust.

The wooden surface of the stairs, intended to be covered with transparent varnish, must be impeccably flat and smooth. Therefore, after sanding with sandpaper, the surface wooden blanks or structures are wiped with a rough woolen cloth.

Upon completion of sanding, thoroughly clean the surface of the stairs from wood dust and small inclusions.

Staining wooden stair structures

One of the simplest, and therefore most convenient, dyes is stain. However, you need to know that stain stains different breeds wood in different ways. This depends on the difference in the content of a chemical substance such as tannin in the structure of the tree.

For example, if you stain the base of an oak staircase, the wood will turn dark brown. At the same time, a staircase made of pine or maple will have a yellowish tint.

Tips: Special attention it is necessary to pay attention to coniferous wood: the resin of such wood strongly absorbs stain, which leads to uneven coloring of the wooden surface. Therefore, to stain the surface of coniferous materials, it is necessary to remove tree resin from the base of the product being processed.

There are several methods for applying stain to the wooden base of a staircase:

1. trituration;
2. spraying;
3. using a roller or tampon;
4. using a brush;
5. immersing parts in a stain solution.

In the case of using the first method, they cover the surface of wood located horizontally with stain and rub it evenly over the entire plane of the product (for example, the steps of a staircase). The grinding method is used mainly for porous wood. For this method, stains that take a long time to dry are suitable.

Spraying method - stain is applied to the wooden surface of the stairs using a spray gun. This procedure for applying the composition is intended for staining vertical surfaces. The coating is smoother than with the rubbing method.

Staining a wooden surface with a swab or roller allows you to obtain a better, uniform coating. The roller is used for large areas, swab - for small parts. Instead of a standard tampon, you can use a sponge or piece of rags.

Painting with stain horizontal or vertical structures stairs using a brush allows you to get a more contrasting color coating than using other covering methods with the same number of layers applied. Immersion is used only for staining individual small parts of the stairs.

Alcohol stains are applied to the wooden surface of the stairs by rubbing in two layers. The initial layer is applied along the wood grain, the last layer is applied across it.

Upon completion of applying the planned layers of stain, the surface of the stairs is wiped with a clean cloth. After drying, the staircase parts are cleaned with fine-grained emery cloth.

The surface prepared in this way can be opened with a transparent colorless varnish. This must be done, since stain does not form a protective film on the surface of the wood, but only tints in the right color and in rare cases can serve as an antiseptic.

Painting wooden stairs with paints and enamels

Wooden stairs are painted with various paints and enamels (see the chapter “Paints and enamels”). Based on their properties, they are divided into paints for interior and exterior use.

For example, paint for a wooden staircase in a home can only be used to paint indoor staircase structures. When using this type of paint for exterior applications, the finish will crack, peel and eventually fail.

The following tools are used for painting:

• brushes;
• sponges;
• rollers;
• foam swabs;
• spray guns.

In addition, for small parts, dipping individual products into dye is used.

Painting of wooden structures should begin with treating the surface with a primer. The choice of primer brand depends on the composition of the paint or varnish for the finishing coat and the operating conditions for the finished base.

Wooden stairs must be painted from top to bottom. This is very important if finished steps are being painted, but there is no second staircase in the house. Do not paint wooden staircase structures in sections. The result may be a non-uniform coating of different color shades. Paint drips during the painting process are removed with a clean damp rag.

Traditionally, there are several methods of painting wooden stairs with paints and enamels. The most common is monochromatic painting of structural parts (see photo).

The highest quality and durable coating obtained when painting stairs with a spray gun. If brushes or a roller are used for painting, then you need to finish painting the wooden surface with long strokes over the entire plane of the product.

The most difficult method of painting a wooden staircase with a brush is:

1. Paint for wooden staircase structures should be applied to the surface of the flight of stairs using a free forward movement of the brush along the thread-like fibers of the wood in one direction.
2. After completing the painting of each layer, you need to wait a little, and without dipping the brush into the paint, adjust your strokes and remove paint drips, if any.
3. When using a sponge or swab, paint must be applied to the surface of the wood at least three layers. Due to the high labor intensity of the process, this method is rarely used.

There is also a dyeing method wooden surfaces two-color texture. Using paint or enamel in two shades, a design is created that imitates the structure of wood or represents any abstract composition. The main paint color is used for the background, and the second color is used to apply a texture or image to the background surface.

In addition, paint to create texture or image can be water-based, but in this case the painted surface of the stairs must be varnished using a spray gun or a soft brush. After this, the base of the steps or stair railings is dried for at least an hour, then the surface is lightly sanded and varnished again.

Nitrocellulose paints dry quickly (20–30 minutes), which allows you to quickly paint parts of a wooden staircase. Thanks to the speed of paint drying, you can not only save time, but also reduce the risk of dust and insects sticking to the painted base.

Alkyd enamels and traditional oil paints are the most popular for painting both interior and exterior wood staircases. Oil paints are familiar and familiar to us. Alkyd compositions have positive performance characteristics and are more modern.

Varnishing wooden stairs

Before varnishing a wooden staircase, the following preparatory work must be done:

• grinding;
• primer;
• waxing.

To sand the surface of the stairs before applying the varnish coating, fine-grained sandpaper is used. The grinding technique is described above.

Priming of wooden structures can be done with stain or a special primer using the same solvent as the future varnish coating. The type of primer should be selected individually for each brand of varnish or vice versa.

The varnish coating of the stairs is characterized by the following parameters:

1. brand and type of varnish;
2. coating method;
3. number of layers of varnish.

The quality and durability of the varnish film depends on the correct choice of the brand of varnish used.

The procedure for applying varnish to a wooden staircase is as follows:

1. The varnish is applied to the prepared dry surface of the stairs in even layers using a brush, swab or spray gun. Volumetric parts are varnished with a spray gun or brushes.
2. The ends and edges of a wooden staircase are varnished using brushes of small diameter. In some cases, with a transparent finish, it is possible to use putty of the same color as the future coating to eliminate minor wood defects.
3. Before completing the opaque finishing of a flight of stairs, you can easily use putty to remove chips, dents, etc.
4. After sanding, priming and putty, onto the surface wooden structure Several coats of paint are applied.
5. To obtain a durable and high-quality varnished coating, one pass of varnish is not enough. After the first layer has dried well, the varnished base must be sanded with fine sandpaper to create a perfectly flat and smooth wood surface.
6. After sanding, use a clean rag or dry brush to clean the surface from wood dust and apply a second layer of varnish, diluted a quarter with solvent.

In painting work on wooden stairs, oil and synthetic materials are most often used. paints and varnishes. They are used for the installation of paint and varnish coatings on wood both indoors and outdoors.

The most common brands of varnish are:

1. Oil varnishes— suitable for varnishing any type of wood. Oil varnish coating is the most durable, waterproof, with a strong, pleasant shine. The varnish composition is applied in two layers with a swab or brush. The drying time for the coating is 48 hours.
2. Oil-based pentaphthalic varnishes (PF) are used to cover the surfaces of stairs painted with oil compositions indoors. Before use, dilute with solvent or white spirit. To apply pentaphthalic varnish to the surface of the stairs, use brushes or spray guns. Drying time 36 hours.
3. create a more elastic, but less moisture-resistant coating than when using oil varnishes. The shine of alcohol varnish is the softest and most subdued. The most common are shellac-based alcohol varnishes.
4. If it is decided to carry out varnishing with nitrocellulose compounds, then it is better to choose glossy varnishes. When using them, the surface is of better quality. Nitrocellulose varnishes are applied to the surface of the stairs in several layers - with a brush, swab or spray gun. Nitrocellulose varnishes form a high-quality waterproof base with a high gloss.

Nitrovarnish must be applied in even layers, and any subsequent layer must be perpendicular to the previous one.

Then, after applying the final layer, the surface of the stairs is left to finish drying for a day. Next, it is sanded with emery cloth, wiped with a clean rag and polished.

We analyzed a variety of paint and varnish materials that can be used to paint the surface of wooden external and internal stairs. We looked at how to paint a wooden staircase on the street and what paint to paint a wooden staircase in the house.

When choosing varnish or paint for finishing the stairs, do not be afraid to experiment. It is important that the coating meets safety requirements and fits harmoniously into the interior of your home.

Stairs are very sensitive to impact environment. Has an effect on the coating Negative influence even plain water, but often when cleaning, various detergents. It must be taken into account that all materials, be it wood, metal or concrete, have their weaknesses and can be damaged during operation. Even those stairs that are located indoors are exposed to changes in humidity, temperature fluctuations, and sunlight.

If you do not take care of surface protection in time, external factors will significantly reduce the service life of the product. The most effective way To prevent aging of the material, cover the stairs with enamel, varnish, paint and stain. Depending on certain conditions, you can choose one or another paint coating. Let's figure out how to cover the stairs just for you.

Oil paints

When choosing paint, consider the design of the room. The staircase should be in harmony with the interior, and not contradict in any way. Alkyd paints easy to apply, urethane-alkyd ones are great for already painted surfaces, and pigmented ones will hide minor defects.

Paints are divided into thickly grated ones, sold in the form of a powder that must be dissolved with drying oil, and ready-to-use. Drying oil can be artificial or natural. Artificial drying oils are cheaper, but provide a lower quality coating.

For painting interior products that will only experience mechanical stress, paint will do for stairs on artificial drying oil. If the treatment of a street structure is intended, then mixtures exclusively on a natural basis are required;

Lacquer for stairs

If you want to paint a flight of stairs and at the same time highlight the beauty of natural wood, then you better buy stair varnish. Most of them dry quickly and are easy to apply. To decide which varnish to coat a wooden staircase, pay attention to the conditions of its use and the type of wood from which the product is made.

Oil varnishes

is a mixture vegetable oils with artificial or natural resins, for example, oil-rosin varnishes. When dry, the varnish forms a hard layer of yellowish color. Due to their low resistance to external factors, oil varnishes are used for painting stairs installed inside the house.

Alcohol varnishes

When alcohol interacts with natural resins such as sandarac and shellac, varnishes with a concentration of 30-45% are obtained. Due to the high rate of weathering of alcohol and the low rate of dissolution of resins, it is possible to apply several layers without destroying the previous ones. The resulting coatings have excellent resistance to mechanical damage and adhesion to most materials. The treated surfaces are well polished, but have low water resistance.

Today, oil and alcohol varnishes are produced in small quantities, since their production requires expensive natural raw materials. Typically, they are used in special cases, such as covering musical instruments.

Alkyd varnishes

The films are transparent, hard, with a slight tint. They have good adhesion to many surfaces and are waterproof. They are used for both outdoor and indoor stairs. In everyday life, alkyd varnishes are often confused with oil varnishes - this is wrong, because, although in the production of alkyd resins, vegetable oils are used, which have a serious impact on the characteristics of the final product, in terms of chemical and qualitative composition, alkyd varnishes differ from oil varnishes and significantly surpass them in properties.

Nitrate cellulose varnishes

Nitrovarnishes cover the surface with a dense, almost colorless, quick-drying film. Typically, nitro varnishes are used for varnishing wooden stairs. However, in some cases, they are used to paint a metal product, applying it as the last layer. Cellulose nitrate varnishes are excellent for indoor use; they are less often used for protection against natural factors.

Polyester varnishes

Surely, many people have applied the epithet “polished” to the shiny surfaces of wooden fittings - this is the result of applying polyester varnishes. These protective coatings for wood are multi-component mixtures and require special precision. Polyester varnishes do not shrink because the solvent does not evaporate during the hardening process, but polymerizes with the dissolved resin; form hard thick films that are resistant to water and other reagents.

They are used to produce high-quality automotive putties.

Epoxy varnishes

They are used with special hardeners, the volume of which depends on the type of resin and the nature of the hardener itself. Epoxy varnishes are characterized by increased resistance to water and alkalis, compatibility with other coatings and mechanical strength, however, remain insufficiently weather-resistant.

Polyurethane varnishes

They are distinguished by exceptional mechanical strength and high wear resistance. Perhaps, best varnish for stair steps. Polyurethane coatings are expensive, but the outstanding performance and extended service life make up for the high cost. For example, parquet floors, staircases and fittings in the halls of museums and palaces, which are of artistic value, are coated with these varnishes.

Polyurethane varnish on water based refers to innovative developments. Combines environmental friendliness acrylic varnishes and strength of polyurethane. Water-based varnishes are inferior to pure polyurethane ones, but the use of special additives significantly improves performance.

To cover large areas with varnish, a sprayer is useful, and if the stairs are small, then a wide brush will do.

Some varnishes are durable, wear-resistant, completely transparent and do not have a strong odor, but they have one significant drawback: you can use a staircase treated with this coating only a week after painting. If you are not satisfied with this prospect, use another paint coating that is also wear-resistant, but dries almost instantly. Naturally, it will cost more or be inferior to the first in a number of other characteristics.

Enamels

Enamels are produced by mixing coloring pigments and varnishes, combining the advantages of both materials. Enamels, like varnishes, envelop the surface with a shiny protective film, and like paints, impart a certain color. However, enamel is destroyed by exposure to water, which is why it is almost never used for covering stairs.

There are glyphthalic, oil, nitro enamels and other types of enamels. Depending on the type of varnish added, you can get a glossy, matte, or semi-matte surface.

Stains and impregnations

Stain is a type of impregnation that also has antiseptic properties. After treatment with stain, the wood becomes non-fire hazardous. Sometimes a layer of varnish is also applied on top. In this case, you need to make sure that the stain and varnish for the stairs are compatible with each other.

When choosing a stain, you must remember that under its action the wood darkens slightly and the color becomes more saturated. For an inexperienced craftsman deciding what varnish to coat a wooden staircase with, we can recommend impregnations based on wax or oil based, which can be applied in several layers. There are also alcohol impregnations and nitro impregnations.

Oil for stairs

Today oils are produced using modern technologies and have a base of wax and natural vegetable oils. Product contains:

• jojoba oil;
• sunflower oil;
• flaxseed oil;
• candelilla wax;
• carnauba wax;
• beeswax.

Oils for painting stairs are a worthy replacement for traditional varnish. The material is deeply absorbed into the surface, forming a protective coating for wood, withstands significant loads and highlights the texture of the wood. The surface of the steps acquires excellent performance characteristics. In addition, the oil has good bactericidal properties: wood fungi and mold do not form on the treated surface. Suitable for use in high traffic areas.

Advantages:

• ease of application;
• has water-repellent properties;
• suitable for local repairs;
• increases the level of wear resistance;
• no unpleasant odor;
• is an environmentally friendly product.

Once you have decided how to paint the stairs, you can proceed directly to processing the material. If you do not have sufficient experience, seek professional help, but remember that this will affect the final cost. If you are going to do everything yourself, then let's take a closer look at how to paint a wooden staircase.

How to paint a wooden staircase

Before applying paint and varnish, the surface must be prepared. The painting technology largely depends on the type of wood, on whether you want to hide the texture of the wood or, on the contrary, highlight it, and what exactly you decided to cover the flight of stairs with.

Preparatory work

If dense painting is expected, then the surface of the stairs must be thoroughly cleaned and covered with putty, which will hide all chips. Then the wood is sanded, and the work is carried out in two stages with a break of several days. This is how maximum results are achieved. After this, a primer is applied.

If painting has been done previously, try applying urethane-alkyd paint to a small area. If the layer lays flat, does not peel off or warp, then you can continue. Otherwise you will have to delete old paint. To do this, you should use a cleaning compound. Alternatively, you can try heating the wood construction hairdryer and then scrape off the paint with a putty knife.

Resin removal of coniferous wood

Staircases require special attention coniferous species, for example from pine. This material, due to its low cost and ease of processing, is very popular, but requires additional processing - de-resining. This is necessary for several reasons:

• protruding resin creates a sticky film that prevents the absorption of the protective composition;
• places where resin accumulates darken and look ugly;
• Due to the resin, the product is painted unevenly and of poor quality.

Wood de-resining is a process of treating the surface of wood in order to completely or partially remove excess resin. Basically, all kinds of solvents are used for degumming. For pine, the best choice would be a 25% solution of technical acetone, which should be applied with a brush, and then rinse the treated surface with warm water and dry thoroughly. Too large tarred areas will have to be cut out with a knife and the irregularities filled with putty.

Listed below are the components that make up the degumming solution.

1. hot water - 1 l;
2. potash - 50 grams;
3. baking soda - 45-50 grams;
4. soap flakes - 30-40 grams;
5. acetone - 200 grams;
6. alcohol - 10 grams;

Further painting of the pine stairs is possible only after the wood is completely dry.

Do-it-yourself painting of a wooden staircase

It is important to know not only what, but also how to paint the stairs. It is best to apply paint coatings using a sprayer. There are electric and pneumatic sprayers. With their help you can cover the product with an even layer. But if this device is not available, ordinary wide brushes will do. With thick and slow-drying paints, it is recommended to work with brushes with short and hard bristles. For thinner finishes, use soft hair brushes, also called flute brushes. The brush should be held at an angle of 45 degrees to the working surface. To clean the brush, soak it in solvent or turpentine.

The paint coating should be applied in 2-3 layers, evenly distributed over the entire surface of the product. First they paint one side, then turn it over and paint the other side. In this case, you need to have time to paint the entire surface before the coating dries, so that there are no uneven spots or smudges left. In order to make it more convenient to work and the paint or varnish not to be smeared, it is necessary to adapt wooden coasters. And by periodically stirring the paint, you will prevent the appearance of lumps and sediment.

1. When deciding how to coat the steps, keep in mind that it is better not to use glossy enamels, as the painted surface will become slippery. If you decide to use varnish for stair steps, then give preference to matte or semi-matte coatings that will hide imperfections;
2. If you know how to properly paint a wooden staircase, then it is no secret to you that the paint coating must be applied in three layers. The first layer of paint is applied along the structure of the wood, then across the grain and again along it. Each subsequent layer is applied only after the previous one has dried;
3. In cases where long-drying varnishes or paints are used, and there is no spare lift, it is recommended to varnish a wooden staircase across the step. This way you can operate it, although it is not entirely convenient;
4. Before you paint or varnish the stairs, make sure that not only the steps and railings are sparkling clean, but that the entire room is clean. Otherwise, dust will settle on the undried surface and ruin the entire work.

How to paint a metal staircase

In a private home there will definitely be a metal staircase, the durability of which largely depends on the protective coating. Therefore, you need to know how and with what to paint the stairs.

In this case, the preparatory work is reduced to removing rust. To do this, you can use an angle grinder with a stiff wire brush, sandpaper or special solvents.

After the rust is removed, the metal surface is degreased and covered with a primer. Painting the stairs can only be done after the primer has completely dried. It is recommended to treat areas where there was rust especially carefully.

If you are working on a ladder that has welded seams, be sure to clean them to a shine.

The coating of a metal staircase must be highly resistant to abrasion and environmental influences. Selecting the desired enamel or paint , Proceed directly to applying paint. If the stairs have been previously painted, apply the coating to a small area. If after drying the paint lies well and the old layer does not show through, you can continue working. If the quality does not satisfy you, the old paint will have to be removed.

The painting of steps must be carried out especially carefully; usually twice as many layers are applied to them as to other elements.

Painting concrete stairs

Painting concrete not only gives the product a more attractive appearance, but also protects the surface from premature wear, damage, and exposure to atmospheric factors.

The following options are possible:

1. adding coloring pigments to the concrete mixture;
2. painting already finished stairs, as in the case of a wooden or metal structure.

In the first case, special pigments are used that are resistant to moisture and sunlight. To achieve purer tones, it is recommended to use white concrete. This method allows you to get a more saturated color and uniform coverage. Disadvantages include high cost, labor intensity and the impossibility of using ready-made concrete stairs.

The second option provides that the flights of stairs are covered with special paints for concrete:

• one;
• acrylic;
• polyurethane.

At the stage preliminary preparation the stairs are sanded to eliminate unevenness and primed to ensure better adhesion to the surface. And then, having decided what color to paint the stairs, you apply the coating to the steps using a wide roller with medium-length bristles.

Any staircase structure needs to be resurfaced from time to time. And if you consider that the staircase is also an element of the interior, then it is extremely important to choose the right paint and varnish product. Let's look at the most popular paints and varnishes, and also figure out how to paint the stairs to the second floor without involving specialists.

Before you start acting, you need to mentally draw a picture for yourself that should turn out in the end. This will help you choose suitable paint or varnish. When choosing a product, you should also take into account the advice of professionals:

• If your staircase is made of high-quality wood with a beautiful natural pattern, then you should not paint it over. It is better to emphasize this advantage with a semi-gloss or matte varnish.
• To avoid destroying the wood texture, do not use primers. Buy “light” types of paints that allow the material to “breathe”.
• To paint staircase elements indoors, choose products that dry within a short period of time and do not leave a persistent and pungent odor.
• Long-term protection of the staircase from external factors, as well as its beautiful appearance, can be ensured by using only abrasion-resistant varnishes and paints.
• Use additional means of protection against fungi, mold, and insects for processing.
• It is not recommended to cover steps with glossy enamel. Otherwise, you will not walk on them, but slide.

What can and should be used to cover a wooden staircase?

When you walk into a building materials store, you start to get lost. Therefore, it is important to know not only the types of these products, but also their features. The most common paint and varnish options for painting stairs are:

• dye;
• impregnations and stains;
• oil.

Paints

Today there are 3 types of them:

Lucky

Varnishes are used to highlight the natural beauty of wood. Choosing suitable type, pay attention to the features of the construction material and its operating conditions. Varnish coatings, like paints, come in several varieties:

1. Alcohol. This coating protects the stairs from biological and mechanical damage. But him significant drawback is a low degree of moisture resistance. Therefore, it is better to use it as a base layer to give the wood the desired shade.
   
2. Alkyd and alkyd-urethane. They are used for external and internal structures. A solid transparent film with an inconspicuous tint serves as a reliable barrier against moisture and other negative factors.
   
3. Formaldehyde. The design will become more resistant to wear. The resins included in the composition improve the adhesion of the varnish to the wood. The only drawback is toxicity and a characteristic odor, which quickly disappears, but requires wearing a respirator during application.
   
4. Polyester. After hardening, they form a hard, durable film that protects the stairs from moisture and other negative influences. If you want to make your design shine, use polyester varnish.
   
5. Epoxy. These are two-component solutions that are used with hardeners. They prevent the destruction of the structure under the influence of moisture, alkalis and provide it with mechanical strength.
   
6. Polyurethane. Are different high degree wear and resistance to mechanical stress. The high price of varnish is justified by its long service life and high performance characteristics.
   
7. Yachting. The hard and durable varnish coating has good elasticity. This means that when the structure is deformed, the varnish layer does not peel off or crack. Thanks to its composition, yacht varnish is wear-resistant, has good resistance to fungi, has increased resistance to UV rays, and is moisture-resistant.
   

This type of impregnation is characterized by antiseptic properties. Varnish is often applied over the stain as an additional layer. But at the same time, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of these funds.

Under the influence of stain, the natural color of the wood becomes more saturated, and the texture of the wood becomes more contrasting.

For wooden stairs, the best impregnation is oil or wax based. Sometimes the stain may contain a dye that gives the material a certain color.

The palette of possible colors is very diverse and depends on the taste preferences of the owner of the house or cottage. But first of all, you need to start from the style of the interior.

The staircase can be of any shade, ranging from muted to bright radiant colors. But most often they prefer a single color.

But sometimes there are more original designs that include up to five shades. They often experiment with contrasting colors, painting the steps in one tone, and the railings and handrails in another. It looks very impressive and original.

To avoid mistakes when choosing a color, you must take into account the following recommendations:

• when using several colors, it is recommended to paint each part before assembling the entire structure;
• to get a dark shade of the stairs, mix the impregnation with the topcoat. This will allow the product to penetrate the structure of the material, which will ensure that the color of the product is preserved for a long time;
• To lighten wood, translucent glazing compounds with light coloring pigments are used.

Treatment of softwood stairs

Staircase structures made of pine differ from products made of beech, larch, oak or other types of wood in that they require additional processing.

Before final processing of a wooden pine staircase inside the house, it is necessary to de-resin it for a number of reasons:

1. The resin substance protruding from the wood forms a film on the surface of the material that prevents paint from penetrating into the fibers. As a result, layers of paint will chip off during use, worsening the condition of the stairs.
2. Areas with resin begin to darken over time.
3. Coloring substances are deposited in an uneven layer on the resin surface.

Resin removal refers to the process of cleaning the surface from excess resin. To carry out this procedure, you will need solvents.

For coniferous trees the ideal option would be a 25% acetone solution. To apply it use a brush. The surface of the material treated with the solution is washed with warm water and allowed time to dry completely. If there are very tarred places on the structure, they should be removed with a knife. The resulting depressions are leveled with putty.

To prepare a solution for degumming, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 liter of hot water;
• potash – 50 g;
• baking soda – about 50 g;
• grated soap – 40 g;
• acetone – 1 glass;
• alcohol – 10 g.

Painting a wooden pine staircase is done after the wood has completely dried. As a rule, 1-2 days are enough.

What is the best way to paint a pine staircase?

1. The optimal means for covering a pine flight of stairs are enamel paints, as well as alkyd and polyurethane yacht varnishes.
2. To preserve the beautiful structural pattern of wood, diluted products are used.
3. To hide defects in the material or give it a new shade, the paint is not diluted before application.
4. In order for the coloring matter to lay down in a beautiful, even layer, the surface should be cleaned of debris and dust.
5. Pigmented dyes are used to mask defects on steps.
6. For previously painted structures, urethane-alkyd solutions are used.

Step-by-step instructions for painting stairs

Sometimes they resort to the help of specialists from construction companies for painting. They, of course, know their business and do the work with 100% quality, but you will have to fork out a significant amount for their services.

If you are not ready for this, then you can do everything yourself. Just be extremely careful and strictly follow the instructions:

1. Before starting work, remove debris, dirt, and wipe off dust not only from the structure, but also from the room in which it is located.
2. Fill any existing chips and cracks with wood putty.
3. Allow the putty to dry completely for 1 day, and then smooth out all imperfections with sandpaper or a sander.
4. Remove any debris and dust that has formed, as even barely noticeable particles of dust will spoil the appearance of the stairs.
5. Apply primer or stain to the flight of stairs twice at intervals of 24 hours.
6. Before applying paint to the surface of the material, it must be mixed well - this will break up the clots and lumps that have formed there.
7. The dye can be applied with a spray gun, roller, or brush. Avoid the formation of frozen paint droplets.
8. To prevent cracks from forming on the stairs when the dye dries, the air in the room should be moderately humid.

With these simple steps you can easily update your staircase.

Stylish options for painting stairs in the interior