how do you stain oak treads

1. Sand the treads with 100-grit sandpaper.
2. Vacuum the sanding residue from the treads.
3. Stir the can of stain gently with a paint stick.
4. Dip the paintbrush into the stain, and tap the brush on the lip of the can of stain to remove any excess stain from the brush.
5. Apply another coat of stain to the treads.

Full Answer

What Wood is best for stair treads?

• Mahogany
• African Mahogany
• Birch
• Red Oak
• White Oak
• Ash
• Cypress
• American Cherry
• Brazillian Cherry

How to refinish worn out stair treads?

Steps to Refinishing Your Stair Treads:

1. Sand. Start by sanding down the treads to bare wood with the 80 grit sandpaper. ...
2. Clean. Vacuum between passes, then wipe down the treads with a tack cloth. ...
3. Sand again. ...
4. Clean again. ...
5. Treat the wood. ...
6. Stain the treads. ...
7. Apply the Finish. ...
8. Sand, then repeat two more times. ...

What is the best finish for a stair tread?

• A semi-gloss finish provides stain and scratch protection.
• The fast-drying formula takes only a few hours to dry.
• The hard finish ensures long-term durability.
• The price that is reasonable

How do you replace a stair tread?

Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Measuring and Cutting the New Treads Download Article

1. Buy stair treads in your preferred wood. Common types of wood include pine and oak. ...
2. Find out your local building code for stair measurements. Building codes vary a bit by country and state.
3. Use a stair gauge to find the dimensions for each new tread. ...
4. Lay the stair gauge over the new tread and trace the measurements. ...

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How do you stain oak stair treads?

Steps to Refinishing Your Stair Treads:Sand. Start by sanding down the treads to bare wood with the 80 grit sandpaper. ... Clean. Vacuum between passes, then wipe down the treads with a tack cloth. ... Sand again. ... Clean again. ... Treat the wood. ... Stain the treads. ... Apply the Finish. ... Sand, then repeat two more times.

What type of stain is best for stair treads?

Polyurethane (Surface Type Finish) Polyurethane is the best surface finish for stairs. Surface finishes do have some drawbacks. The main one is that they can cover up the natural charm of wooden stairs.

How do you stain brand new stair treads?

3:5051:42Staining Stairs | A Pro Painters Process - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProject is when we're using sandpaper when we're staining or polyurethaning. You want to make sureMoreProject is when we're using sandpaper when we're staining or polyurethaning. You want to make sure you're using new sandpaper. So if you have sandpaper that's got some paint already on it.

How do you stain stairs without sanding?

We show you how to make stain darker on wood without stripping or sanding....The process – stain over stained woodStep 1 – clean the wood surface. We cleaned the stairs with a TSP alternative. ... Step 2 – light scuff. ... Step 3 – remove all dust. ... Step 4 – tape the risers and sides. ... Step 5 – stain stairs darker. ... Step 6 – let dry.

What is the best finish for oak stairs?

Best Finish for Stair Treads The simplest way to finish oak stair treads is with two coats of clear polyurethane, which enhances both the grain and the natural reddish to goldish tinge of the wood. Bring out further warmth by coating the treads with wood stain before applying poly finish.

Is oil or water based stain better for stairs?

Oil based stains tend to saturate the wood more deeply in comparison to water based stains. It really comes down to personal preference and what look the homeowner is going for. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' stair stain to choose.

How many coats of stain should you use on stairs?

Apply 2 Coats Of The Stain Start at the top and work your way down. If using a paintbrush, apply the stain in even strokes, with the final stroke finishing in the area you've already stained. Use a dry cloth and allow it to dry. Repeat at least one more time.

Is it better to stain or paint stairs?

Stains are generally more durable than paint, and lighter tread paints may begin showing scuffs and marks before stains or darker paints. Painting over dated, stained wood on spindles, risers, and handrails is one of the most cost-effective ways of transforming your staircase or stairwell.

What is the most durable finish for stair treads?

Best Polyurethane for StairsBona Traffic HD Commercial Satin. ... General Finishes High-Performance Water Based Topcoat. ... Minwax 63010444 Fast Drying Polyurethane. ... Varathane 200041H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane. ... Bona Mega Semi-Gloss. ... Minwax Water-Based Wipe-On Polyurethane. ... Minwax 230004444 Fast Drying Polyurethane.More items...

How long after staining stairs can you walk on them?

Well, you can't walk on stained treads for at least eight hours after application.

Do you have to remove old stain before restaining?

No. It's possible to stain over an existing stain, so you don't have to remove your old stain. At least do this after every 5-15 years. The new stain will not be exactly the same as the old one, so it's important to test it on a small patch before you do the whole deck.

Can you stain over already stained wood?

Can I stain on top of old stain? Yes! In fact, applying stain over stain is a fairly simple process. It works especially well if you're applying a darker stain over a lighter stain, and while working with raw wood.

What is the most durable finish for stair treads?

Best Polyurethane for StairsBona Traffic HD Commercial Satin. ... General Finishes High-Performance Water Based Topcoat. ... Minwax 63010444 Fast Drying Polyurethane. ... Varathane 200041H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane. ... Bona Mega Semi-Gloss. ... Minwax Water-Based Wipe-On Polyurethane. ... Minwax 230004444 Fast Drying Polyurethane.More items...

Should you paint or stain stair treads?

Stains are generally more durable than paint, and lighter tread paints may begin showing scuffs and marks before stains or darker paints. Painting over dated, stained wood on spindles, risers, and handrails is one of the most cost-effective ways of transforming your staircase or stairwell.

Can you use wood stain on stairs?

Staining a staircase involves preparing the area around the stairs so nothing gets in the way or gets stain on it. Then the stairs themselves need prepping. Before you start staining, read the instructions on the stain container. Then, apply 2 coats of the stain and 2 coats of the varnish.

How do you make stained stairs less slippery?

The best way to make your hardwood stairs less slippery is to add traction by installing carpet, anti-slip adhesive stair treads, or applying a coat of anti-slip floor finish to the surface of each stair.

What is the best tool to remove oak treads?

Most agree that a hand scraper is the best tool for removing old finish and, on both previously finished and unfinished treads, creating the ideal satin-like smoothness that is possible on oak treads. According to builder Bob Vila, hand scrapers are tools for craftsmen who are tool lovers; even though they are extremely simple, they require exacting use and maintenance. Practice is clearly necessary for both scraping and sharpening.

Does oak stain darken?

According to professional Tim Carter of Ask the Builder, final stain color on oak is easy to gauge from a small sample: Wet stain lightens as it dries but darkens again under polyurethane. A test patch of wet stain on the underside of a tread tells you what final results are likely to be.

Can you stain oak stairs?

Although very few home-decorating decisions can be regarded as definitive, the choice of stain for stair treads, particularly oak one, is substantial and farsighted. Strong and long-lived oak stair treads with the right stain bring a dignified warmth to your staircase. The handsome grain of this durable wood can be made to glow with the right finishing techniques. Stair treads must be finished by hand, so even for a homeowner with some previous wood-finishing experience, this is a challenging but fulfilling project.

Can you stain stair treads?

Visually, a natural wood finish for both stair treads and risers may well convey a greater sense of weight to the structure than a mixture of natural treads and painted risers. Staining may be useful to coordinate new stair treads with existing flooring or other woodwork.

Can lacasse wood stain be wiped off?

A coat of stain, if desired, can wiped on and off and allowed to dry, but do as Lacasse Fine Wood Products recommends and test it first to make sure it's the color you want. When the stain dries, it can be covered with a coat of polyurethane (water-based where state VOC-related statutes require it).

Can you use orbital sanders on stair treads?

Preparation of new stair treads is exacting. Factory-sanded treads need further sanding, and using belt or orbital sanders on these relatively small areas can present problems of removing too much wood because of hesitations while using unfamiliar power equipment. A challenge even to experts, smooth, even sanding of stair treads and sanding stair risers takes practice.

What is the best way to stain red oak?

Red oak is popular with woodworkers because of its natural appearance. Fortunately, it is also easy to stain. Layering dye, gel sta in, and a topcoat is a way to turn red oak a consistent color with a beautiful finish. Each layer should be sealed with shellac and sanded to improve the stain.

How to make oak stain?

Mix a wood dy e in water. These dyes are give oak a consistent base color that improves the final stain. All you have to do is stir the dye powder into a glass jar filled with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Mix the dye powder in 50% more water than the label recommends, since this thins the dye and prevents the wood from absorbing too much color.

How to stain oak with shellac?

Use the fine-grit sandpaper to scuff the area you dyed and sealed earlier. Press very lightly so you don’t rub through the shellac coating the wood. Sanding helps the gel stain settle over the shellac.

How to apply gel stain to wood?

Brush gel stain onto the wood. The easiest way to apply the gel stain is with a foam brush, but you can use clean rags or paper towels as well. Spread the gel over the area you dyed earlier. The gel is thick, so you won’t be able to create a thin, smooth coating.

How to get darker wood color?

Apply more coats of gel stain as needed. Check the stain’s coloring after it dries. It should look light and consistent across the oak. If you want the wood to be a darker color, coat the oak in more gel. You may need to do this 2 or 3 times to get the shade you desire.

How long does it take for a gel stain to dry?

Let the gel stain dry for a day. Gel stains dry relatively slowly, so give the wood plenty of time before working on it again. Set it in a safe location on a counter or table in a well-ventilated area. The wood should feel completely dry to the touch before you begin working on it again.

How long does it take for oak to dry before staining?

5. Wait about 2 hours for the dye to dry. You will need to wait for the oak to feel dry to the touch. If the dye isn’t dried properly, it may discolor the final stain. The dye may also darken during this time, so waiting can help you get an idea of how much more dye the wood needs.

How to sand wood to get a stain?

Use your 120-grit sandpaper and sand the wood surface you intend to stain, using strokes that follow the grain of the wood. Sanding across the wood grain will create scratches that you will find difficult to remove. When the surface is as smooth as possible, then begin sanding with your 220-grit sandpaper, also following the wood grain direction. When finished sanding, use a soft, dry cloth, or soft brush, and remove from the wood surface all wood dust from your sanding.

How long to sand oil based stain?

Again, use an oil-based finish on the oil-based stain, water-based finish on the water-based stain. After 4 hours or more , apply additional coats to attain the degree of luster you'd like. Be sure to sand between coats, using your 220-grit sandpaper and removing any dust or debris before adding your next finish coat.

How to get a stain out of a sandpaper?

Apply Stain. Use a paintbrush or clean cloth and apply your first stain coat. Take your time, so the stain will be evenly applied. When finished applying the stain, allow 20 minutes, then remove any excess stain with a new, clean and dry cloth.

How long does it take for a paintbrush to penetrate wood?

When you have covered the wood with a single coat of the conditioner, give the conditioner 10 minutes to penetrate into the wood. Then, use a clean absorbent cloth and wipe off any excess conditioner.

How to sand wood with 220 grit sandpaper?

When finished sanding, use a soft, dry cloth, or soft brush, and remove from the wood surface all wood dust from your sanding.

How to get even coverage on wood?

Condition the Wood. To ensure that you will get even coverage and desired luster to your final finish, apply a wood conditioner. For oil-based stain, use an oil-based conditioner. For water-based stain, use a water-based conditioner.

What wood do you use to paint a home?

In decorating or refinishing their homes, many homeowners prefer a more natural look, such as one they might get with red oak wood. Instead of painting natural wood surfaces, they choose to preserve the rich hue of the wood grain.

How to determine the darkness of a stain?

The darkness of the stain is determined by how much is used and the amount of time the stain sits on tread. If you want a darker stain let the stain sit for a moment after it has been applied and then wipe away the access stain.

Can you stain stairs with plastic drop cloth?

Once the treads have been sanded to the appropriate smoothness it is time to apply the stain. It might be best to lay down the plastic drop cloth and stained treads over the cloth. Staining can be messy at times.

How to get ash stain out of wood?

If it is an open pore wood like ash or oak it is important to go cross-grain and work the stain into the pores. To finish use a clean cloth rubbing WITH the grain to remove all the excess. No stain should puddle on the surface.

How much are stain pillows worth?

The small little "stain pillows" are worth the two dollar price tag. They load up with lots of stain, let you move fast (important with water based stains particularly) and stretch the coverage more than any cheap recycled T-shirt. They're a great investment and make your job much more pleasant.

How many grits does a tread have?

The flat face of each tread has been sanded to 120 grit and feels and looks pretty smooth. The bullnose on the front and possibly, if you ordered it that way, the bullnosed on the end has been created with a shaper cutter. Thus the rounded edges and the top face are not the same, one has a "cut" edge and one has a "sanded" face. Each will absorb stain differently.... and that is not even considering the challenges of the end grain.

How much grit do you need to sand maple?

So we need to sand, in the direction of the grain all edges, ends and faces to 180 grit.. if its maple I'd probably aim for 220. And don't cheap out on the sandpaper. Go to your local automotive supply house and buy good automotive sandpaper. It will make all the different, and for the extra 30 cents a sheet eliminate a lot of frustration.

Can you use lacquer on horizontal surfaces?

Note: Do not use lacquers as they are considered too brittle for horizontal applications where you want the finish to "indent" or "flex" with abuse rather than scratch off.

Can you sand maple wood?

Although all of our treads have undergone automated sanding it is essential that you fine-sand the edges and the top face one more time, to get the most uniform absorption of stain. This is particularly critical with difficult woods to stain, like hard maple. Some of my clients that do furniture restoration suggest that sanding to 320 or 400 will eliminate ALL of maple's staining challenges, but then I might need drugs to be that patient!