If you re staining brand new stairs you may only need to give them this final light sanding.
Staining stair treads dark.
Just dip the rag in the gel stain and wipe onto the stair treads.
Using two rags dip one rag in the stain and than wipe stain onto tread then using the other dry rag wipe stain off for desired color.
The color is off in these photos because i had the hall and stairway light on you don t even really have to worry about swirl marks applications marks etc as you are applying it.
Video of the day.
Make sure the sample you use is the same species of wood your treads are.
Check out the video series on refinishing wood stairs.
It is easier to add more stain for a darker color but impossible to make the stain lighter after it dries and it dries very quickly.
For example if your decor wall paint and other home features like furniture are lighter in color choose a lighter wood stain.
Allow the stain to dry for 12 hours.
You want to change your wipe off rag often as it becomes saturated with stain.
So be sure that as soon as you apply the stain that you wipe it away.
Mix the stain well and apply with a foam brush.
It s not a difficult job but it is time consuming because of the drying time necessary between coats of stain and gloss.
Apply the stain liberally using a brush lint free cloth or staining pad and then wipe the tread down using a lint free cloth to remove any excess stain.
Just get it all covered.
Apply gentle even pressure.
Use the color shade range that matches the wood stair parts you are staining with other stair parts as well as match with other features of your home.
Do this process at night or consider doing every other tread so that the stairs can be used throughout the finishing process.
Fine grit sandpaper ranges from about 120 220 grit.
Learn how to apply a stain to your wood stairs.
Stained wood stair treads can become worn and discolored over the years as a result.
Use your orbital sander and or hand sanders to give the stairs an even texture and appearance that s ready to accept stain.
Use one cloth to apply stain and another to wipe away stain.
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.
Then literally just work in into and onto the wood.
If your home features are darker go with a darker wood stain.
Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag or old t shirt.
When you re stain you also will have to re gloss over the stain which looks good and protects the wood.
Let dry for about 8 hours before using the stairs.
Bring out further warmth by.
Feeling dark and moody.
I let my stairs dry for a full day before applying the coat of stain on the rest of the treads.