Is it better to stain with a brush or rag?
Is it better to stain with a brush or rag?
The basic rule for getting good results with any wood stain is to apply a wet coat and wipe off the excess before it dries. You can use any tool – rag, brush, paint pad, roller or spray gun – to apply the stain. It's more efficient to wipe stain than to brush it, and you're less likely to have color problems.
Is it better to paint or stain 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.
Do stairs have to match floor?
It is not so much important for your staircase and flooring to match as they should coordinate. For example, you could match just your treads and handrail to your flooring and mix with painted balusters and risers. Everything doesn't have to match to get a cohesive look. Add carpet.
Should I Polyurethane over stain?
Whether you put a polyurethane finish on wood that has been stained is entirely up to you, and so I cannot in good faith say that you are "supposed" to do so. But you certainly can do so, as long as you ensure that the stain finish is dry before applying the polyurethane topcoat.
What is the best finish for stair treads?
Scraped and sanded oak stair treads are comparatively simple to finish. A coat of stain, if desired, wiped on and off and allowed to dry, can be covered with a coat of polyurethane (water-based where state VOC-related statutes require it). Choose a high-gloss or satin finish, depending on your decor.
How long should stain sit before wiping off?
Don't worry about being neat; all that matters is getting a nice, even, liberal coat over the wood. At this point, wipe the stain off immediately for a lighter tone, or for a deeper tone, leave it on for five or even 10 minutes before wiping.
How can I redo my stairs cheap?
The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb. Typically this will be 2 coats, unless your dealing with extremely dense hardwoods which may only be able to absorb 1 coat of wood stain. Watch this video to see more tips on how many coats of stain to apply.
How do you stain stairs and still use them?
Your feet well definitely get stained though. Yes, you can (and contractors do) walk on a floor after you've applied stain. You can have problems with the evenness of the stain if you do small sections.
Can I stain my 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.
Do you paint or stain stairs first?
The Strategy. Once the stairs are ready, it's best to start by painting the risers. That way, you can remove any paint you get on the treads before staining them; and painted risers are relatively easy to protect from stain. Choose semigloss or gloss paint — both are easier to keep clean than flat paint.
How long after staining can I polyurethane?
Every finish and stain is different, and drying times can vary widely from brand to brand or product to product. As a rule of thumb, you should wait 24-48 hours to allow the stain to fully dry before applying your polyurethane. If you're extra cautious, you may even choose to wait 72 hours before applying your poly.
How do you refurbish stairs?
After your stairs have been stripped, apply a coat of stain with a paintbrush or rag. Allow the stain to dry fully before applying a second and third coat. When you're done staining, apply a coat of floor-grade polyurethane varnish to seal them.
How soon can you walk on floor after polyurethane?
Hours 24-48, you can walk on the floors with socks. Avoid shoes and bare feet. And, make sure your pets (who usually have bare feet) do not walk on the floors during this time. After 4 days, you can move furniture back on to the floors.
Can you gel stain stair treads?
Just dip the rag in the gel stain and wipe onto the stair treads. You don't even really have to worry about swirl marks, applications marks, etc, as you are applying it. Just get it all covered. Then come back with a clean lint free rag and wipe away the excess in nice even strokes in the direction of the grain.
How much does it cost to refinish wood stairs?
Per-square-foot costs may be less if you're having a contractor come in to refinish an entire house, while costs can be more if they are refinishing just a single room. Cost for finishing stairs averages about $40 to $75 per stair tread.