- 1). Wash the banister rail with a water-based soap using a sponge. Rinse all of the soap from the rail using wet rags. Let the rail dry for two hours.
- 2). Sand previously painted banister rails until they feel slightly rough, or the fresh paint may not stick.
- 3). Carefully cover the tops of the banister balusters using a low-tack tape. Cover the area beneath the rail with drop cloths.
- 1). Coat bare wood banister rails with latex primer using a polyester paintbrush. Don't use a nylon brush, or ugly marks may appear in the finish. Use an etching primer on metallic rails; if the rail is made of stained wood, apply a shellac primer with a natural-bristled brush. Apply soft pressure with your brush to encourage an attractive finish. Let the rail dry for two hours.
- 2). Wash your brush, using the appropriate cleansing agent. Use water on polyester brushes; wash natural brushes using denatured alcohol.
- 3). Paint the banister rail as you primed it. Don't use an eggshell, flat or satin latex paint; instead, use a gloss latex paint that will be relatively easy to clean.
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