A: For best results they should be spray painted, and if they are raw wood, they need to be primed. Semi-gloss enamel is usually advised on wood.

I recommend you contact a professional painter to do that for you. It will be a little more expensive than doing it yourself, but if you are an amateur, I think you will be much happier in the long run.

To locate some reputable painters, visit Home Advisor. Submit a service request for "Small Painting or Staining Projects" to be matched with the ideal service professional in your area to give you bids.

If you still decide to tackle it yourself, I suggest you visit a specialty paint store (like Sherwin Williams or Kelly-Moore as opposed to a hardware or home improvement store that sells paint along with everything else). I have always found the staff in paint stores to be a wealth of information about everything including techniques, preparation and priming, best type of paint and color. They can also sell you all the materials you will need for almost any type of painting.

by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com