Hi Tina, First you must tape off the treads, preferably covering them with heavy paper. Primer the risers with a primer designed for wood, or whatever material your risers are. Each riser is painted freehand in good quality wall acrylic paint. After they dried for a day, I sanded them and antiqued them, then shielded them with matte acrylic varnish. It took 3 days( 1 tape and primer, 2 pattern, 3 antique, varnish and untape) and cost about $1000, 20+ years ago. Good luck, Laurel

I love the risers on your stairs! Have you had to touch them up since you first did them 20+ Years ago? They appear to be in excellent condition, Thanks.