Expert: Joseph G. Swallow - 8/2/2011

Question
Hi Joseph

I come from England (you know, the place with all the bad weather!!)and I live in a house about 80-90 years old. I ripped up the carpet and decided to revamp the staircase. It's old and tatty but after I removed the ugly brown Stain, I sanded it. The problem is I cannot sand deep enough to remove all the dents and holes made by years of abuse and carpets fitted and refitted and I don't know what to do now!

The stairs have brown holes and cracks in and I don't know if I have to gouge out the brown or whether I can just fill them in. Some are pin holes and some are hailine cracks, some are deep gouges. After taking the whole afternoon to do one stair (and I have another 12 to do, I am worried that I have taken on a project that cannot be rectified. I know that it will never look like now but I don't want to waste my time if at the end of it, it still looks tatty and I could really do with some advise on what to do next - even if it is more sanding!

Thank you

Sylvi x

Answer
Sylvi,

Been there.....   We've worked with similar circumstances and created stairs with a stressed or antique an look.  The best bet for the holes and the cracks is to collect as much saw dust as possible from sanding your steps.  Second, go to a local store (the Woodcraft chain is a good bet if you have one in your neighborhood) and get a can of wood bleach.  The wood bleach will even out the stain problems.  Then mix white or yellow woodworkers glue (titebond is a good brand) with your saw dust and, using a putty knife, apply it over and work it into the holes and cracks.  Do one final sanding with an orbital sander with 80 to 100 grit.  The glue mixed with the sawdust will create a better blending with the wood vs. wood fillers that always come out darker and tells everyone, "Here I am!"  And....your are done!  Then you can re-stain or clear coat the treads as you see fit.

Thank you!

Joseph G. Swallow
http://www.westfiremfg.com