A Modern Approach to Painting Staircases Using a Spray Gun
Have you ever wondered what the most popular choice is among the staircase materials available these days? For example, at V.PSTAIRS, we offer a wide variety of materials for our customers, including wood, glass, and stone. However, metal structures are most often used for staircases. As practice shows, metal frames and other staircase elements are a practical and affordable option in the UK.
Obviously, visible staircase elements made of metal require additional processing to achieve the desired appearance. One of the pressing questions is: which painting method should you choose? Statistics and our personal experience show that many people choose to use a spray gun. In this article, we want to tell you more about what a spray gun is, the advantages of this method, and what the step-by-step painting process looks like.
Key Advantages of Spray Painting
Spray painting has become a preferred method for finishing staircases thanks to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to deliver a uniform coating. Compared to traditional approaches, it offers flexibility in both design and application, making it an excellent choice for modern staircase projects. Here are the most important ones:
- Affordable solution. Spray painting generally requires fewer materials and less labour time, making it more cost-effective than many alternative coating methods.
- Wide colour selection. With access to the full RAL palette, it is possible to achieve virtually any desired shade, ensuring perfect harmony with surrounding elements.
- Versatility in use. The technique adapts well to complex shapes and various sizes, guaranteeing consistent results even on intricate staircase designs.
What else? When combined with thorough surface preparation, spray-applied coatings provide impressive durability. This means the staircase will maintain its appearance and resistance to wear for years, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and long-term value.
Are There Any Other Alternatives?
As we mentioned above, painting visible staircase elements with a spray gun is one of the most common choices today. However, this does not mean that there are no other painting alternatives on the market. For example, you can choose powder coating. How does it work? A special device sprays dry paint powder, which is then treated with high temperature.
We would also like to tell you about another option. We are talking about galvanic coating (nickel plating, chrome plating, and even gold plating). Avoiding complex terms about staircase, this works by applying one thin layer of metal to another. This is an excellent alternative to the usual painting method. However, the cost of electroplating for stairs can be more expensive than other traditional solutions. At V.PSTAIRS, we will help you choose and implement any of the available methods for painting metal staircase elements.
Learn more about galvanisation in our article «Several Reasons to Choose Galvanised Balustrade Coatings in 2025» → https://vpstairs.com/several-reasons-to-choose-galvanised-balustrade-coatings-in-2025/
Step-by-Step Process for Painting Staircase Elements with a Spray Gun
Are you planning to paint the metal elements of your staircase with a spray gun? Without any doubt, this is a popular solution that will save your budget and deliver excellent results. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the entire process of painting metal structures with a spray gun in advance. The clear, step-by-step process that we follow at V.PSTAIRS ensures the best results.
Step 1. Surface Preparation
The quality of any staircase coating begins with how well the surface is prepared. Bare metal is never ready for paint straight away. Old residues, rust, dust, or oily marks all act as barriers between the paint and the steel, and if left untreated, they will shorten the lifespan of the finish. The first step is therefore mechanical cleaning. We mean sanding or wire-brushing to strip back corrosion and smooth any rough edges.
Once the metal is clear of visible defects, it must be carefully degreased and wiped down. Even fine particles of dust can stop the primer from bonding properly. A clean, dry surface ensures the first coat adheres evenly and creates a base that can support the following layers without peeling or flaking.
Step 2. Applying Three Layers of Paint
We use the best metal materials to create staircases. We select the best pieces of metal that meet our quality standards, including thickness. So, the same careful approach is taken to the painting process. Painting with a spray gun is most effective when the coating is built up in stages.
- The first coat is usually an epoxy primer, chosen for its strength and ability to grip the bare steel. It seals microscopic pores in the surface and provides a barrier against corrosion.
- After it cures, an acrylic primer is applied. This second layer evens out the surface and improves compatibility with the finishing paint.
- The final stage is the topcoat in the chosen RAL colour.
A controlled spraying technique keeps the film thickness consistent, preventing drips and uneven patches. Each layer must be allowed to dry fully before the next is added. This patient, layered process gives the staircase a solid, durable finish with an attractive, uniform colour.
Step 3. Additional Finishing
Even after three coats, additional protection may be worthwhile, depending on where the staircase will be used. In exterior or damp settings, a clear protective lacquer is often applied. This extra layer enhances resistance to scratches and facilitates cleaning, especially in high-traffic areas. It also deepens the colour tone, giving the finish a subtle richness.
Where corrosion risk is high, additives such as anti-rust compounds may be included. These treatments are sprayed on in the same controlled manner as the paint layers. What’s the most important thing? With proper aftercare, the staircase retains both its appearance and structural protection for many years.
Find the Best Solution for Staircase Painting at V.PSTAIRS
The V.PSTAIRS portfolio includes numerous completed projects where spray painting techniques were used. We would like to note that in our company, this process is carried out exclusively by professionals with over 10 years of experience. This is one of the key factors for success. If you are inspired by our projects and are planning to order a staircase, entrust this task to professionals.
At V.PSTAIRS, we provide comprehensive turnkey services for the creation of custom staircases in the UK. This means that we manage the project from scratch to final installation on site. Of course, we are also happy to help you with individual tasks, such as spray painting metal staircase elements. All you need to do is contact us in any way convenient for you. We will get back to you as soon as possible to provide a free consultation and find the best solution for your project. Your success begins with V.PSTAIRS!
4 Comments
-
Miya Coolany
I had my staircase painted with a spray gun last summer. The finish is flawless and still looks brand new.
-
Rob Bennett
If you’re spraying metal, do you always need a primer first, or can you go straight on with the top coat?
-
vpstairs
Hi, Rob! Primer is strongly recommended (and usually essential) for proper adhesion and long-term durability, especially on metal. Prep + the right primer system is what stops chipping later.
-
Comments are closed.
Bogdan Kowalski
Spray-painted finishes look so much more professional compared to brushes. Great to see this technique becoming popular.