- Preparation is key to a long-lasting paint job. If the steps are already painted, sand them to remove loose paint and to lightly scruff the surface so paint will better adhere. Oil-based or white-tinted shellac primer helps to improve adhesion. Use two coats of latex deck paint or acrylic latex interior paint, sanding between coats to achieve a smooth finish. For added durability, top with a few coats of water-based polyurethane to protect the paint.
- For a clear finish, use polyurethane. On new pine steps, sand and stain the steps, using a sanding sealer before staining to prevent blotching. Sand old stairs that have a worn clear finish to prepare the surface. If you need to stain the stairs, you may have to sand away the entire existing stain surface to get an even application. Apply at least two coats of polyurethane for a durable clear finish.
- Water-based polyurethane doesn't yellow like oil-based polyurethane, making it a good choice for use over paint. Its fast-drying nature means your basement steps will have less down time. Adding a hardener to water-based polyurethane makes it more durable. If you prefer to use oil-based polyurethane, you can keep the steps serviceable by finishing half of the steps at a time, doing every other step. If you do one side of each step instead, it's likely there will be a visible demarcation from one side to the other.
- Inspect the steps once a year for worn areas that have exposed pine. Spot-sand and apply primer and paint or polyurethane to the sanded areas. Every few years, lightly sand the entire surface and apply a new finish over the whole thing. Keep the stairs clean to reduce wear from ground-in dirt.
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