How to Stain Stairs
- 1). Vacuum the stair treads well to remove all traces of dust and dirt.
- 2). Apply painter's tape to side stringers and any other areas where the stain should not be applied.
- 3). Sand the stairs with medium-grit sandpaper. Sanding the wood opens the grain and helps the stain to better penetrate the wood.
- 4). Vacuum up all sawdust. Then, wipe down each tread with a tack cloth or a rag dampened with mineral spirits to remove any small particles.
- 5). Apply stain with a paintbrush in long, smooth, even strokes following the grain of the wood, and then immediately wipe the stain off with a clean rag.
- 6). Allow the stain to thoroughly dry according to the time specified by the manufacturer.
- 7). Sand the tread lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the tread with a rag dampened with mineral spirits or a clean tack cloth to remove all sawdust.
- 8). Apply a second and third coat of stain if desired, sanding lightly between each coat.
- 9). Brush on the first coat of polyurethane finish and allow it to dry.
- 10
Lightly sand the tread again with fine-grit sandpaper and apply a second coat of finish.
