Painting

• 1). Climb a ladder to access the top of the gazebo. Sand vinyl and plastic tops with the 220-grit sandpaper to stimulate adhesion of your finish coat. Stop sanding when the gazebo top feels slightly rough.
  
  
• 2). Cover areas of the gazebo you do not want painted, with plastic coverings secured by painter's tape. Protect areas beneath the gazebo top with fabric drop cloths.
  
  
• 3). Apply acrylic latex primer to the top, using a paintbrush manufactured for water-based coatings. Wait three to four hours for the primed gazebo top to dry.
  
  
• 4). Wash the brush with water.
  
  
• 5). Apply acrylic latex paint to the primed top, using the clean paintbrush.
  
  

Staining

• 1). Climb a ladder to access the wooden gazebo top.
  
  
• 2). Apply oil-based stain to the top, using a paintbrush recommended for oil-based coatings. Wait three to four hours for the stained gazebo top to dry.
  
  
• 3). Wash the brush with mineral spirits while the top is drying.
  
  
• 4). Apply varnish to the dry gazebo top, using the clean paintbrush.