How to Paint Plywood Stair Treads

Fill any cracks or indentations in the wood with the wood filler. Apply this with the putty knife so that the holes are filled slightly higher than the surrounding wood.

Sand down the wood filler so that it is even with the rest of the wood. Then sand the entire tread to get a smooth and even surface.

Clean up any dust and debris using the vacuum. Make sure your working area is as clean as possible.

Apply painter's tape on the wall and the riser right next to where it meets the tread. This will protect the walls from getting paint on them.

Apply primer around the edges of each tread with the paint brush. Once this is complete, use the roller to apply primer to the rest of the tread. Let the primer dry for a few hours.

Repeat the process of applying the primer with the paint, working around the edges with a paint brush and then finishing the treads with the roller. Let the paint dry for two to three days.

Repeat the painting steps one more time using the water-based urethane. This will protect the surfaces you just painted. Apply three coats per tread for adequate protection. Remove the painter's tape once the urethane is dry.