painted spindles

Picture please.

Thanks for your reply...picture attached....I think!

I cannot tell from the picture but do the spindles have a slight clear coat shine to them? If so, they stain will wipe right off of them as long as you wipe it off within a minute or two.

Thank you for your reply.

It's a semi gloss finish. I'm still thinking it might be better to mask because wouldn't it be difficult to wipe them off while staining without smudging the fresh stain on the wood?

What kind of brush would you recommend to apply the TWP oil stain around the spindles?

Use a deck stain pad or a Wooster stain brush.