How to Refinish Wood Stair Treads

Learn how to finish your own wood stair threads correctly and professionally to save both time and money. Although considered an easy task, finishing wood stair threads should be a thoughtful and customized job. While it requires little in the way of materials, you need slightly more elbow grease than when finishing other types of furniture.

Step 1: Sand

Start by placing drop cloths over all furniture and nearby structures to protect them from sanding dust, paint or varnish. Begin work on stairs carefully sanding off the old finish with coarse 60 grit sandpaper. The old finish must be removed, but the shape of the stairs must not be changed, nor should the wood be sanded too harshly, causing unnecessary rounding of edges.

Sand all the way down to the bare wood if varnishing, but only feather the finish (sand smoothly and lightly, removing old paint, scratches and scarring) if finishing is to be with a new coat of paint. Sand several times, working up to 110 grit sandpaper.

Step 2: Apply Mineral Spirits

Using the vacuum, vacuum all sanded surfaces being sure to remove all sanding dust. Next, with a clean cloth soaked in mineral spirits, wipe all sanded surfaces to insure an even, cleanly surfaced finish. This technique will also reveal spots that may require additional sanding treatment. Allow mineral spirits to dry before proceeding further. In the event that there are uneven spots, or spots that require further attention, attend to them now with additional sanding. If stairway steps are bowed, they may need to be sanded further, or planed smoothly. These should be minor problems, and easily rectified with a plane or block sander.

Step 3: Choose Finish

Carefully consider the style and décor of your home before choosing the stain, varnish or paint for your stairway. Stains come in a variety of shades to match your existing furniture, wood or color scheme of your home. Varnishes come in a variety of gloss, semi-gloss and satin (low-gloss). Each of these factors should be taken into consideration before applying a finishing touch to stair threads.

Step 4: Apply Stain, Paint or Varnish

Depending on the underlying wood of the stairway, it may be necessary to apply several coats of stain, varnish or paint. If several coats of paint are required, apply each coat full strength and wait a sufficient amount of time before applying each additional coat (according to manufacturer’s instructions). If applying stain, only one coat will be necessary.

Next, apply an initial coat using a 50-50 mix of varnish and mineral spirits. Wait 24 hours before you apply the next coat of 25 percent mineral spirits and 75 percent varnish. Finally, apply a 100-percent coat of varnish, let dry 24 hours, and lightly sand with 110 sandpaper.

Step 5: Wax and Buff

Apply a light coat of floor wax to stair threads, let dry 15 minutes and apply a final coat. Buff with a dry cloth to a lustrous finish.