How to paint stairs white. The better to paint a wooden staircase in the house: secrets and recommendations. The better to paint a wooden staircase

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 some atmospheric phenomena, and it is also afraid of rodents and insects. That's why correct handling wood is very important and if you want the duration of the operation of a wood product to be maximum, then you should know not only the names of suitable solutions, but also the processing technology with certain mixtures. Today I want to talk about how to paint stairs with your own hands, how to paint wooden stairs to the second floor and what is the peculiarity of painting a pine staircase.

The need for painting

Stair painting

Many do not understand why paint wooden surfaces, if they have such a beautiful texture that may change due to chemical materials. However, the application of impregnations and dyes 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 manifestations, or vice versa, excessive drying of the material

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

Important! As you can see, the need to paint a wooden staircase with your own hands on your face. An unfinished transition will not be able to serve you for a long time and with high quality, and the ability to replace some parts or the entire structure is an expensive pleasure.

If you use the right tools for processing a pine staircase, then you will not only not spoil the appearance of the structure, but also emphasize its advantages. Materials can be:

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

Benefits of pine stairs

Painting a pine staircase

When I built on my own suburban area house, then the construction of the second floor was fundamental for me. In order to save a little, I decided to use a pine massif as a material for erecting stairs. Therefore, let's talk 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, as well as good wear resistance.
  • If we compare spruce and pine, then the second material is much better, as it has fewer knots, as well as a denser texture.
  • Unique pattern and light pine color is an added plus

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

During the arrangement of the stairs with your own hands, its step is most often made of edged massive board. However, glued boards can also be used for steps, which are more durable and wear resistant.

How to paint stairs

Painted pine staircase

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

  1. Impregnation with antiseptic and fire protection properties - can be made on a water, acrylic, as well as alcohol or wax basis
  2. Stain for toning - the texture of the wood remains the same, while becoming more expressive. It 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, polish is applied over paint or varnish, thereby giving an even more favorable look to the stairs.
  4. Lacquer - is a transparent protective layer that should be applied over the stain
  5. Enamel is a pigmented lacquer that can create matte or glossy layers.
  6. Paint is a very popular material that carries not only protective, but also decorative properties. You can choose the paint for any interior and design of the room

Painting a wooden staircase can be done independently, but before that you should take a look at the table. When we figured out how to paint the stairs, it is worth knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the types of paint:

Type of paintwork pros Minuses
oily It is moisture resistant and saturated color. When stained, it forms a dense and protective film They are not breathable and take a long time to dry. Exfoliation may start over time
Enamel It has the property of quick drying, is moisture resistant and evenly applied Can only be used for interior spaces, also produces a single matte surface
Acrylic, Acrylic Glides on smoothly, water soluble and dries quickly. Is "breathable" Matte finish
Alkyd Ability to create smooth surfaces, fast drying, moisture resistant There is a pungent smell, solvents are present in the content. Is a non-durable coating

The stairs can be painted 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 most paint.

DIY painting

Do-it-yourself painting of pine stairs

Before you paint the stairs, you should study the technology of 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 a maximum service life.

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 resin manifestations, and the processing tool is an ordinary rag
  • At the next stage, preparatory work is carried out, which consists in filling the damaged areas. For this process, it is better to choose acrylic putty for wood. Since the material shrinks upon drying, the mixture should be applied in 2-3 layers, while the surface should be polished between layers. Since we will paint our stairs in the future, the color of the putty can be any. But if you have to apply varnish, then you need to choose a putty to match the color of the stairs
  • Grinding is a mandatory and important event. This process will help you use 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 you should not jump from finer to coarser grit. Zeroing during processing is used only at the stage of grinding between layers
  • Painting a flight of stairs should be done with a brush. Due to its viscosity alkyd enamel and varnish cannot be applied with a spray gun, and the use of a roller is not permissible due to the complex surface. The material is applied in several layers, and if you decide to use polyurethane varnish, then get ready for the fact that the number of layers can increase to 6-7. After you have applied the first layer, let it dry well and treat zero sandpaper. This is important when using pine enamel or lacquer, as the rising pile prevents quality coating and we don't need it at all.
  • Remember that before starting any Finishing work associated with coating with various coatings and impregnations should be very carefully removed in the room where the pine staircase is located. The fact is that dust can harm the appearance of the coating, settling on it at the most unnecessary moment. The paint material must be of high quality, so think about choosing the type of paint in advance

Self-painting pine stairs

Cleaning of the premises is carried out after work with grinding the surface, 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 it is necessary to re-grind and apply the primer. When applying paint that is more liquid than varnishes, you can use a pneumatic spray - but do not forget to use a respirator when doing this. 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, so you will not have smudges and the coating will be of the highest quality without color transitions. When you are already painting installed ladder, then always start at the top and go down - this way you will not hook on 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 carrying out of the painting work itself.

Many projects of modern private houses, and even some high-rise apartments, provide for the construction of ladder structures various types. The choice in favor of one or another type of stairs is partly dictated by existing standards, but it largely depends on the appearance future design and personal preferences of the property owner. Betting on the use natural materials should take into account their specificity. Any wood wears out faster than metal, concrete or glass. You can extend the life of such a ladder with the help of proper care or repair. Information on how will be useful in both cases. Such events are within the power of many home craftsmen, especially if they have experience and skills in repairing wooden home furnishings. Faster and better results can be achieved by entrusting this work to specialists. In any case, it's worth knowing about existing methods painting wooden stairs, as well as the materials that are best suited for this. This information will be useful both for those who decided to work with their own hands, and for those who have to accept the work done by the masters.

Internal ladder structures, the elements of which are made of wood, are not exposed to the aggressive effects of weather factors. However, despite the fact that they are not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and humidity, their material also wears out.

Stairs are very sensitive to impact environment. Provides coverage Negative influence even plain water, but often when cleaning, various detergents are used. It must be borne in mind that all materials, be it wood, metal or concrete, have their own weak sides and may be damaged during use. Even those stairs that are 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 life of the product. by the most effective way to prevent material aging is to cover the stairs with enamel, varnish, paint and stain. Depending on the certain conditions, You can choose one or another paintwork. Let's figure out how to cover the stairs 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 are easy to apply, urethane-alkyd paints are great for already painted surfaces, and pigmented paints will hide minor defects.

Paints are divided into thickened, sold in the form of a powder, which must be dissolved with drying oil, and ready for use. Drying oil can be artificial or natural. Artificial varnishes are cheaper, but give a lower quality coating.

For painting internal products that will only experience mechanical stress, paint for stairs on artificial drying oil is suitable. If it is supposed to process a street structure, then mixtures are needed exclusively on a natural basis;

Lacquer for stairs

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

Oil varnishes

is a mixture vegetable oils with artificial or natural resins, such as oil-rosin varnishes. When dry, the varnish forms a hard layer of yellowish color. Due to 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 are obtained with a concentration of 30-45%. Thanks to high speed weathering of alcohol and a low rate of dissolution of resins, it is possible to apply several layers without destroying the previous ones. Coatings with excellent resistance to mechanical damage and adhesion to most materials are obtained. The treated surfaces are well polished, but have low water resistance.

To date, oil and alcohol varnishes are produced in small volumes, since their production requires expensive natural raw materials. Typically they are used in special occasions, for example, to cover musical instruments.

Alkyd varnishes

The films are transparent, hard, with a slight tint. Have good adhesion to many surfaces, 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 vegetable oils are used in the production of alkyd resins, which have a serious impact on the characteristics of the final product, alkyd varnishes differ from oil varnishes in chemical and qualitative composition and significantly surpass them in properties.

Cellulose nitrate varnishes

Nitro-varnishes cover the surface with a dense, almost colorless, quick-drying film. Usually nitro-varnishes are used for varnishing wooden stairs. However, in some cases, they are used to paint a metal product, applying the last layer. Cellulose nitrate varnishes are great for indoor use, less often they are used for protection from natural factors.

Polyester varnishes

Surely, many used the epithet "polished" to shiny surfaces 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 curing process, but polymerizes with the dissolved resin; form solid thick films resistant to water and other reagents.

Based on them, high-quality automotive putties are produced.

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 distinguished by increased resistance to water and alkalis, compatibility with other coatings and mechanical strength, however, they remain insufficiently weather resistant.

Polyurethane varnishes

They are characterized by exceptional mechanical strength and high wear resistance. Perhaps, best varnish for stairs. Polyurethane coatings are expensive, but outstanding performance characteristics and extended service life offset the high cost. For example, parquet floors, stairs and fittings in the halls of museums and palaces, which are of artistic value, are covered 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, however, the use special additives significantly improves performance.

For varnishing large areas a sprayer will come in handy, and if the stairs are small, then a wide brush will do.

Some varnishes are durable, resistant to wear, absolutely transparent and do not have a strong odor, but at the same time they have one significant drawback: it will be possible to use the stairs treated with this coating only a week after painting. If you are not satisfied with this prospect, use another paintwork 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 obtained 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, give specific color. However, the enamel is destroyed by water, which is why it is almost never used to cover stairs.

There are glyptal, 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 kind of impregnation, which also has antiseptic properties. After treatment with a stain, the tree becomes non-flammable. Sometimes, a layer of varnish is still applied on top. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that the stain and varnish for the stairs are compatible with each other.

When choosing a stain, it must be remembered that under its action the wood darkens slightly, the color becomes more saturated. For an inexperienced craftsman who decides what varnish to cover a wooden staircase with, wax or oil-based impregnations can be recommended, which can be applied in several layers. There are also alcohol impregnations and nitro impregnations.

Oil for stairs

To date, oils are produced using modern technologies and have a base of wax and natural vegetable oils. The product contains:

  • jojoba oil;
  • sunflower oil;
  • linseed 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 wood. The surface of the steps acquires excellent performance characteristics. In addition, the oil has good bactericidal properties: tree 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.

After you have decided how to paint the stairs, you can proceed directly to the processing of the material. If you do not have sufficient experience, seek the help of professionals, 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 application paintwork 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 tree or, on the contrary, highlight it, and what exactly you decided to cover the flight of stairs with.

Preparatory work

If dense staining is expected, then the surface of the stairs must be carefully cleaned and covered with putty, which will hide all chips. Then the wood is polished, and the work is carried out in two stages with a break of several days. This is how the maximum result is achieved. After that, a primer is applied.

If painting has been done before, try applying urethane-alkyd paint to a small area. If the layer lies evenly, does not exfoliate or warp, then you can continue. Otherwise, you will have to remove the old paint. To do this, use a flush composition. Alternatively, you can try heating the wood with a blow dryer and then scraping the paint off with a spatula.

Deresining of coniferous wood

Coniferous stairs, such as pine, require special attention. This material, due to its cheapness and ease of processing, is very popular, but requires additional processing - deresining. It is necessary for several reasons:

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

Wood deresining is a process of wood surface treatment for the purpose of complete or partial removal of excess resin. Basically, various solvents are used for deresining. For pine the best choice there will be a 25% solution of technical acetone, which should be applied with a brush, and then rinse the treated surface warm water and dry thoroughly. Too large tarred places will have to be cut with a knife and patched with putty.

Listed below are the components that make up the deresin 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 pine stairs is possible only after the tree is completely dry.

Painting a wooden staircase with your own hands

It is important to know not only what, but also how to paint the stairs. It is best to apply paint and varnish coatings with a spray gun. 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 a short and hard bristle. For more fluid finishes, use soft hair brushes, also called flute brushes. The hand should be held at a 45 degree angle to working surface. To clean the brush, soak it in solvent or turpentine.

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

  1. When deciding how to cover 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 stairs, then give preference to matte or semi-matte finishes that will hide the flaws;
  2. If you know how to properly paint a wooden staircase, then it is not a secret for you that the paintwork must be applied in three layers. The first layer of paint is applied along the structure of the tree, then across the fibers and again along. Each subsequent layer is applied only after the previous one has dried;
  3. In the case when long-drying varnishes or paints are used, and there is no spare lift, it is recommended to coat the wooden staircase with varnish through the step. So you will be able to operate it, although it is not very convenient;
  4. Before you paint or varnish the stairs, make sure that not only the steps and railings shine clean, but the whole room is cleaned. Otherwise, the dust will settle on a dry surface and spoil all the work.

How to paint a metal staircase

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

In this case, the preparatory work is reduced to the removal of rust. For this, a grinder with a hard wire brush, sandpaper or special solvents can be used.

After the rust is removed, the metal surface is degreased and coated with a primer. The stairs can only be painted after the primer is completely dry. Places where there was rust, it is recommended to handle especially carefully.

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

Coating metal stairs should be highly resistant to abrasion and environmental influences. Choosing the right enamel or paint , proceed directly to the application of paintwork. If the staircase has been previously painted, coat a small area. If, after drying, the paint lies well and the old layer does not shine through it, you can continue to work. If the quality does not satisfy you, the old paint will have to be removed.

The painting of the steps should be carried out very carefully, usually twice as many layers are applied to them as to other elements.

Painting a concrete staircase

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

The following options are possible:

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

In the first case, special pigments are used that are resistant to moisture and sunbeams. To achieve cleaner tones, it is recommended to use white concrete. This method allows you to get a more saturated color and uniform coverage. The disadvantage is the high cost, laboriousness and inability to use ready-made concrete stairs.

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

  • one;
  • acrylic;
  • polyurethane.

At the stage pre-training the stairs are sanded to eliminate irregularities 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 a medium length pile.

Having installed a ladder in the house or at the entrance, you need to take care of its safety and attractiveness. appearance for the entire period of operation. And for this you need to know the best way to paint a wooden staircase. The article will describe not only the types of paint and varnish coatings, but also give recommendations on the method of painting.

The choice of means for covering stairs made of wood

The question of how to paint a wooden staircase in a country house inside a structure is important, but it does not place great restrictions on the choice of paint and varnish coatings, since many adverse factors on the structure are excluded indoors. What can not be said about outdoor structures. Still, it's worth considering possible options funds and their properties.

The internal structures are also affected by the level of humidity, the rays of the sun falling from the window or artificial lighting, temperature fluctuations and other factors. Therefore, depending on the environmental conditions in which the ladder is installed, as well as the quality and type of material, it is necessary to select the right remedy, which will protect against various harmful effects and increase the life of the structure.

When deciding what color to paint a wooden staircase, pay attention to the type of wood, whether it is necessary to emphasize its natural structure, or, on the contrary, it is worth hiding some defects with tint coatings. Consider all possible types of paints and varnishes:

  • Paints based on drying oil: urethane-alkyd, alkyd and pigmented.

The easiest way to handle alkyd products is for stairs that already have paint on them. surface fit the second type, and for damaged wood with defects, it is better to choose paints with pigments. In addition, there are ready-made paints that can be applied immediately, and there are in the form of a powder, which must be diluted in drying oil before work.

Important! When choosing how to paint a wooden staircase on the street, you should choose paint on natural drying oil, as it is more adapted to external factors.

  • Lacquers: oil-based, alcohol-based, alkyd, with cellulose nitrate in the composition, polyester, epoxy and polyurethane.

Varnishes are designed to give a special beauty wooden products and can be both transparent and tinted. In addition, you can make the design shiny, or you can make the product dull. Oil-based varnishes contain resins - natural and artificial.

After oil varnish dry, a hard film with a yellowish tint forms on the surface of the product. We advise you to use this tool for internal structures, as it has low level resistance to external factors.

The composition of the alcohol product includes alcohol and natural resins, for example, shellac or sandarac, which gives the product good property- the possibility of applying more than one layer without destroying the previous ones due to the rapid weathering of alcohol and the long dissolution of the resin.

Attention! Oil and alcohol varnishes are made on the basis of high cost natural raw materials, so they are rarely used for overall wooden products.

Alkyd varnishes are mostly transparent, but can impart some tint, creating a hard protective film. They are highly resistant to water and adhere well to any surface, so when deciding how to paint the steps of a wooden staircase or a metal structure, no matter where the structure is located inside or outside, alkyd products will do.

Note! They contain plant oils, however, in terms of their characteristics, these varnishes are significantly superior to their oil counterparts.

Nitro-varnishes provide a dense film without any shade, which dries quickly. This is the most commonly used product for painting wood inside the house, but they are also suitable for metal products as the final layer.

Polished shiny stair steps can be obtained using polyester protective varnish which includes many components. Such a coating will not shrink, since the solvent does not weather during curing, it polymerizes together with the resin, creating a dense solid film surface that is resistant to water and other external influences.

Epoxy is used along with hardeners for a certain type of resin. Such a coating will protect against water and alkaline environments, but is not sufficiently resistant to the influence of the atmosphere.

Exceptional mechanical strength and high wear resistance are inherent polyurethane varnishes. This is one of the most optimal means for wooden steps. However, excellent performance and durability of the coating can cost a pretty penny.

  • Enamels.

Excellent decoratively painted wooden stairs, the photo below shows the variety of colors that can be achieved with enamel coatings, which include in their composition varnishes and pigmenting substances that give a shade to the tree and create a protective shiny or matte film. But they are not water resistant. There are oil enamels, glyptal, nitro enamels and more.

  • Stain or impregnation.

These means, in addition to the usual protective and decorative properties able to protect the stairs from bactericidal influence, that is, mold and fungus. In addition, impregnation increases the fire resistance of the surface.

  • Oils.

Oils include natural oils plants (jojoba, flax, sunflower), as well as wax.

Painting rules

After choosing a tool, you can begin to familiarize yourself with the question of how to paint a wooden staircase correctly. First, you need to know that for this procedure you need to have on hand:

  • Coloring agent;
  • Roller, brush or paint sprayer (the choice of tool will depend on the choice of product and its properties);
  • Gloves;
  • For accuracy, masking tape is needed;
  • Drying oil.

Important! The length of the bristle of the brush should correspond to the chosen product, so for liquid paints it should be twice as long as the diameter of the brush, for thick compositions, on the contrary, the pile should be shorter.

Deciding on how to paint a wooden staircase with your own hands, you need to know and follow a few rules:

  • When painting stairs with more than one color, and not how many, it is necessary to start painting before installation, that is, the structure must be disassembled.
  • It is recommended to use wear-resistant products, for staircases it is better to choose thicker varnishes.
  • For thick substances, a round bristled brush is recommended, for products with a more liquid consistency, a soft flat brush and roller are recommended.
  • If you want to give the stairs a certain more dark shade, it is better to buy stain or impregnation with finishing layer varnish, as they are absorbed into the surface and when worn, the design will not lose color so quickly. It is also worth paying attention to the good funds of an imported manufacturer, if you do not want to overpay many times more later.
  • When applying liquid stain, work very quickly to avoid staining.
  • In order to lighten the surface of the wood, it is recommended to use translucent glazing agents, which include light coloring pigments.
  • When using a primer for varnish, be sure to choose products from the same production and follow the recommendations on the packages.
  • It is better to start painting the steps from top to bottom, and the last strokes should be done along the wood structure.

Now, as for the procedure itself, we will tell you how to properly paint a wooden staircase. The surface must first be cleaned, including if there is an old coating. If necessary, the tree can be primed and covered with putty. The brush should be tilted towards the surface during the process, and the product should be applied in as wide stripes as possible, followed by leveling the layer.

After leveling the coating layer, you need to check for lint or brush marks, which must be removed immediately before the coating is dry. During the painting process, the composition must be periodically mixed.

At first glance, painting the stairs is nothing complicated - pick up a brush and paint. But in order for the design to serve as an interior decoration and remain beautiful for as long as possible, it is necessary to competently approach the choice of coating and apply it correctly. Therefore, further we want to tell you how to paint a pine staircase in a house, and how to do it right.

All existing paints that can be used for stairs are conventionally divided into two types:

  1. covering- cover the tree with an opaque film of a certain color, as a result of which its natural pattern is hidden;

  1. Toning- these coatings preserve the pattern of the wood, but at the same time give the wood a certain color.

It must be said that absolutely transparent coatings are also used for, i.e. varnishes. Of course, our job is to paint the stairs, not varnish them. But, varnishes are often applied over the paint, which allows you to protect it from external influences and give it a deeper color.

Note! In some cases, the use of varnish is simply necessary, for example, if the stairs are covered with stain.

Choosing covering paints by composition

First of all, we note that pine does not have any features that greatly distinguish it from other types of wood. Therefore, when choosing how to paint a pine staircase, all existing wood paints can be considered as an option.

The most common and suitable for our purposes are the following compositions:

  • Alkyd and alkyd-urethane;
  • polyurethane;
  • Water-dispersion;
  • Oil.

Alkyd and alkyd-urethane

These paints are made on the basis of alkyd resins. Alkyd-urethane coatings also contain polyurethane resins, which, according to the manufacturers of paints and varnishes (hereinafter referred to as LKM), improve the basic qualities of the paint.

True, in practice, the properties of the coating depend more on the quality of the alkyd paint, and not on the presence or absence of polyurethane resins in its composition. In other words, if you get a good, expensive alkyd paint from well-known manufacturer, then it will be better than cheap alkyd-urethane.

Note! All alkyd coatings contain organic solvents, as a result of which they have a pungent and toxic odor. Of course, after drying, this smell disappears.

Of the features of these compositions, the following points can be distinguished:

  • They fit well on the surface and form an even glossy or matte film;
  • Possess saturated color;
  • Resistant to moisture, detergents and abrasion. Therefore, they can be used for painting steps and landings.

Of the minuses, one can single out the fact that over time these compounds fade in the sun and begin to crack. But, much, as we have said, depends on the quality of the coating. Therefore, if you do not save, the coating will last a long time.

In general, we can say that most often the coloring of pine stairs is carried out with these paints. Therefore, if you do not have any special requirements for paintwork, for example, saving a tree pattern, then you can stop there.

Polyurethane

If you are looking for how to paint a staircase in a pine house so that you can forget about this procedure for many years, use polyurethane paint. It is a two-component coating, therefore it belongs to professional coatings.

Among the advantages polyurethane paints the following points can be highlighted:

  • Resistance to mechanical influences, including abrasion;
  • Resistance to UV radiation;
  • Excellent adhesion;
  • Durability;
  • It fits well on the surface, forming an even film;
  • Has rich color.

Enough of the cons high price. In addition, as we have already said, the coating is two-component, i.e. before use, the paint components must be mixed in certain proportions, so it is not as convenient to use as ready-made one-component formulations.

Water-dispersion

These paints and varnishes are made on the basis of acrylate resins and their modifications. The most main feature of these coatings lies in the fact that they do not contain organic solvents, unlike all of the above analogues. These coatings represent an aqueous dispersion failure.

In other words, undissolved polymer particles form a suspension in water. After applying the paint to the surface, the water evaporates, and the acrylate resins polymerize and form a film on the surface, which can be either water-soluble or waterproof, depending on the type of paint.

Advice! For stairs, it is necessary to use waterproof paint, as the structure will often be subjected to wet cleaning.

Among the features of these coatings, the following points can be distinguished:

  • Form on the surface thin film, as a result of which they can preserve the texture of the tree, even if it is weakly expressed, not to mention brushing;
  • Dries quickly. As soon as the water evaporates, the coating immediately polymerizes;
  • Has no smell.

Disadvantages of water-dispersion coatings also exist:

  1. Abrasion resistance;
  2. High cost, especially for high-quality waterproof paints.

Therefore, water-dispersion compositions are not very suitable for painting steps and landings. Of course, you can paint with them, but you will have to update the coating a little more often than in the case of using other analogs described above.

Oily

These paints have rarely been used recently, since their properties are much inferior to more modern coatings, which we have already discussed. Visually, they resemble alkyd paints, but they are inferior to them in terms of durability.

Their main advantage is their low cost. Therefore, if you want to restore the stairs with your own hands with minimal cost, for example, in the country, you can use oil paint.

Choosing tinted paints

Tinting paints can be divided into two types:

  1. impregnation;
  2. Azure.

Impregnation

Impregnations include stains and other compounds that, unlike paints, do not form a film on the surface, but are absorbed into the structure of the tree, coloring the fibers.

According to the method of application of impregnation, it can be conditionally divided into two types:

  • Finishing- do not require additional coverage. These include all kinds of compositions based on wax and oil;
  • Requiring additional coverage- a transparent varnish is usually applied over such impregnations. Such compositions include stains.

Separately, it should be said about modern stains, which allow you to reliably imitate various types of wood. With their help, you can turn pine into mahogany or, for example, bleached oak.

Azure

Azures, or glazing paints, are a composition based on varnish and pigments. In other words, these are translucent paints.

Since these coatings have the same composition as covering paints, they also have the same properties. Therefore, there is nothing more to say about them.

Lucky

As for the choice transparent coatings, optimal solution is parquet varnish. It is resistant to abrasion, is not afraid of washing and exposure to sunlight.

You can also use yacht varnish. Unlike parquet, it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

In other words, the lacquer is weather resistant and low temperature. Therefore, for the processing of stairs in country houses that are visited seasonally or from time to time, it is even more preferable than the parquet counterpart.

Painting technology

So, we figured out the types of paintwork materials. Now let's look at how to properly paint a pine staircase. After all, if you perform this procedure in violation of technology, even the most expensive and high-quality paint will not give the desired result.

As we have already said, pine does not have any features in terms of applying coatings. Therefore, the work is carried out in the same way as painting stairs made of larch, spruce, oak or any other species.

It includes several stages:

  • Preparation of working equipment;
  • Stair preparation;
  • Painting.

Preparation of work equipment

In addition to the paint itself, you need to prepare the following materials:

  • putty on wood;
  • masking tape;
  • Plastic wrap or newspapers;
  • Wash.

Note! If you have building hair dryer, no rinsing is required.

You will also need some tools:

  • Paint brush and roller;
  • Roller tray;
  • Putty knife;
  • Sandpaper;
  • grinder;
  • Vacuum cleaner.

Stair preparation

Before you paint a pine staircase, you need to prepare it. Please note that the quality of painting depends on the preparation, so take this step responsibly.

Preparation involves the following steps:

Illustrations Actions

Cover the floor around the stairs with plastic or paper.

Seal the places where the stairs adjoin the wall with masking tape so as not to stain the walls during work.

If you are going to paint a staircase that has already been in use, it is probably covered with old varnish or paint. It is desirable to remove this coating completely.

It is very difficult and long to erase it with sandpaper, so it is better to use:

  • building hair dryer;
  • grinder;
  • wash.

A hair dryer allows you to heat the coating and then easily remove it with a spatula.

The wash is applied to the surface for a while and dissolves the old paint, after which it is also removed with a spatula.

Note! Washer is a toxic acid, so be careful when handling it.

If you are sure that old paint securely adheres to the base and will not begin to peel off in the near future, just rub it with sandpaper until a matte surface appears.

All cracks on the surface of the product, as well as gaps between parts and chips must be filled with putty. Apply the composition with a narrow spatula and level the surface.

After the putty has hardened, do not forget to clean it with the same spatula or sandpaper with a fine abrasive.

Advice! If you plan to paint the stairs with a translucent composition, match the putty to the color of the paint. Otherwise, the putty area will be conspicuous.

Upon completion of the preparatory work, be sure to vacuum all surfaces of the stairs, as dust and small debris can cancel out all the work done.

Advice! Upon completion of the preparatory work, try to immediately start painting so that the surface does not have time to become covered with dust.

Painting

Instructions for painting the stairs are as follows:

Illustrations Actions

Work should begin with the preparation of LKM. Too much thick paint it is necessary to dilute with a solvent that is selected individually for the type of paint, for example, water-dispersion paints are diluted with clean water.

Then the composition must be thoroughly mixed.

To give the coating a certain color or shade, add color to it. Keep in mind that not all colors can be tinted. Manufacturers usually report this possibility on the packaging.

Color, like a solvent, is selected individually.

Pour the finished paint in a small amount into a flat container.

The preparation of varnish is carried out in exactly the same way.

Start painting with railings. Most often, a clear varnish is used for railings.

Apply it with a brush in a thin even layer. Then wait for it to dry completely and repeat the procedure again.

When the railings are painted, proceed to the rest of the surfaces of the stairs. Paint the design from top to bottom.

Start by painting large areas with a roller. Dip the tool in the paint and squeeze lightly to keep the paint from dripping. Then roll out the roller on the surface.

Treat hard-to-reach areas with a paint brush. In this manner, paint the stairs completely. After the coating has hardened, repeat the procedure at least one more time.

If you are using water-dispersion paint, it is desirable to apply it in three layers.

It must be said that the impregnation technique is somewhat different from regular painting, since the composition is not just applied, but rubbed into the surface. Therefore, when applying it, you need to make multiple circular and longitudinal movements. With ordinary painting, you need to try, on the contrary, not to run the tool twice over the painted surface.

Conclusion

That's all we wanted to tell you about how to paint a pine staircase with your own hands, and how to do it right, so that the result, as they say, "pleasing to the eye." Finally, be sure to watch the video in this article and thereby consolidate the information received.