Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 6/12/2008

Question
i just purchased a new home and the stair case is natural finish. i would like to remove the finish and stain the stair case. if i strip the stair case, scrape finish,lightly sand the wood, clean and then stain stairs, is that the correct way to undertake this job?

Answer
You have two options:

1.  Sanding and then staining.  The current finish seals the would and would need to sand it out down to the raw wood.  Once that is done you would want to use an equalizer to keep it from blotching.

2.  Use a pigmented lacquer or polyurethane.  This would give the appearance of staining with the ability to by-pass all of the sanding which can be time-consuming.  Most often, handrails are lacquered.  A pigmented lacquer would melt into the old and create a good bond.  Poly is Russian roulette and, not done properly, can peel over time.  Pigmented lacquer is best sprayed on.  Poly can be hand applied.

Hope this helps and thank you!