What ladder do I need to paint stairs?

Last Updated on May 30, 2022 by Usman Khan

The traditional way of Ladders for Stairs Painting hallway wall is to use a ladder at the longest length, a pair of steps on the shortest length and a scaffold board or plank going in between. This method is often used when there is more work to be done than being able to paint the entire hallway by myself or with others help. The scaffold board or plank can also be used as a support for one’s artist self while practicing their art.

I found a method of painting stairs that I feel is much easier, more efficient and less time consuming that the traditional way. It is called ladder painting.

The first step in ladder painting is to buy a ladder and some paint. This is not optional as you will need to paint your staircase before the next step.

Ladder Painting Step 1: Buy a Ladder

The first step in ladder painting is to buy a ladder and some paint. This is not optional as you will need to paint your staircase before the next step. If you do not have one, you can usually borrow or rent one from your local hardware store or rent one for a few dollars from an online store like Amazon. The cost of renting one depends on how long you plan to use it for and what size the stairway or flight of steps are (length & height). The price also depends on whether it has wheels, if so, it can be easier to move about.

The ladder I got from Home Depot is a cheap $15 one that has wheels and I bought it in black. The paint I used is Behr Premium Plus in Satin finish because it is a good paint that covers well and dries fast. It covers the stair well and there are no visible gaps anywhere. It also comes with a lifetime warranty so if there are any problems, they will fix it free of charge.

To Buy Guide: 7 Best Ladders for Stairs Painting

Ladder Painting Step 2: Paint Stairs

You will need to cover your stairs or flight of steps with some sort of protective material such as plastic or plastic wrap before painting them. You can use any type of plastic or plastic wrap you want, but I prefer the kind that rolls out easily (like cling wrap). The reason for this is because the ladder paint dries quickly, so you don’t have time to wait for the roll to dry before moving on to the next step. 

Some people prefer not to use

Plastic wrap because it is not completely waterproof and can get ruined by water or spills. You can also use plastic or plastic wrap that you plan to throw away after the painting project is done.

Step 3: Paint Stairs

The next step is to roll out the plastic or cling wrap on the stairs and paint them. The first thing I did was to lay down a sheet of plastic on the stairs and paint it with a brush.

I prefer to use a brush because it allows me to be more precise in applying the paint, but you can also use roller brushes if you wish (or even an old toothbrush). I was using a brush because I don’t have any roller brushes, but if you do, then go ahead and use them instead. If you are using an old toothbrush, then it is best to wash it off before starting so as not to transfer any bacteria from your mouth onto the paint surface.

You will need enough paint for one coat so make sure you have enough for that. I used about two coats because I wanted a nice even finish. You also want to make sure you cover the surface completely with paint, so don’t skim over parts of the stairs that are not painted.

Step 4: Clean Stairwell

Before moving on to the next step, it is important to clean your stairwell thoroughly so as not to transfer any dirt or dust from your shoes onto the paint surface. You can do this by using a broom or vacuum cleaner and sweeping the area (or using an upright vacuum) and then wash it off with water to remove all traces of dirt.

Step 5: Dry Stairs

After cleaning your stairs, it’s best to let them dry for a day before moving on to painting them again. This will allow all traces of moisture on your stairs to evaporate and make sure that there are no leftover moisture in between coats (usually happens if you use heavy hand when applying).

Step 6: Paint Ceiling

It is best if you can finish painting your stairwell first before moving on to painting your ceiling. In my case, I was not able to finish painting the ceiling so I had to paint it again after finishing the stairs.

Step 7: Paint Walls

It is best if you can finish painting all walls before moving on to the final step of this tutorial (painting the floor). In my case, I was not able to finish painting all walls before moving on to painting the floor but I tried my best and did my best with what I had.

Step 8: Painting Floor

At this point, you should have finished all steps involved in this tutorial and should be ready for a final coat of paint. The next step is to apply a second coat of paint on the floor to make sure that you have a nice finish. You can do this by using a roller brush or roller (in my case, I used a roller).

Step 9: Final Coat of Paint

Finally, it is time to apply the final coat of paint on the floor. In my case, I used two coats of paint because I wanted a nice finish. I tried to apply one coat but it wouldn’t stick well so it was better if I applied two coats instead.

Read More: How to Extend the Life of Your Interior Wall Paint