Best Answer: Dragon and Lamar are correct. Railway sleepers are pressure impregnated with creosote. There is no paint that will stand being painted on this substance. The creosote will quickly bleed through even if the paint dries, which is unlikely.Creosote is a carcinogen and is banned from use these days.Maybe you could nail a mat to the step to avoid contact with the creosote.he creosote will quickly bleed through even if the paint dries, which is unlikely. Creosote is a carcinogen and is banned from use these days. Maybe you could nail a mat to the step to avoid contact with the creosote.