I recently built a new basement stairway (my first) from scratch. The treads are southern yellow pine. I’m planning to seal and/or stain the treads, and paint the risers and trim.
What would anyone recommend I use for the treads? I’d like to keep them as light as possible, since I’ve heard that syp darkens with age. I planned them to use a runner, so durability isn’t as important, since the carpet will protect the main line of traffic. But obviously pine isn’t oak, so toughness would be good. I sanded them to a nice finish before installing them, but there are a few rougher spots where the grain of the wood just didn’t cooperate, so any finish that might help “fill” those spots (very shallow lines) in would be nice too.
Any suggestions? Here’s some pics of the stairs (before cove moulding and painting):
Thanks!
-Sean
Replies
Nice job.
You can't go wrong with Waterlox. Use their sealer/finish first, then their topcoat satin.
Thanks, Gene. I'll look into Waterlox. Not sure where I can find it in my area. Doesn't look like the two big boxes carry it or the local hardware stores... I'll check some of the flooring places in the area. If not, there's always the web...Thanks,
-Sean
Waterlox ship direct and their website is the way to order.
Look at their specs as to coverage, etc. The "original sealer/finish" comes in those kind of rectangular shaped tins with the small pour spouts. The "finish" comes in regular paint can sizes of quart and gallon.
As I said, use the sealer/finish first, then the satin finish.
If you don't have one, get a real good china bristle brush, a pro brush, specified for oil-based finishes.
The beauty of Waterlox is that it is a "long varnish," a paintmaking term that means it has a long open time for brush-out and leveling. It is what makes it so user friendly, in that it will level out without brush marks, even for the newbie that brushes too much.
Your second-to-last and last coats of finish should be put on quite thin. By that I don't mean to use any thinner, I just mean that the film thickness should be just enough to cover and wet out.
Please post a followup note and pics when you are done. The last set of steps I did was in southern yellow pine, and I am anxious to see your end results.
And one other thing. Important. The satin finish must always be stirred well before using, and even stirred a little when can is open and you are using finish. The additive that gives the satin gloss level needs to be kept in suspension.
Edited 3/23/2005 11:21 am ET by Gene Davis
Maine,
What area are you in? maybe add to your profile?
I did a set in the fall and used Helmsman Spar (which is actually exterior and is pretty tough). The wood is already pretty yellow, I didnt think it changed that much. I used 3 or 4 coats and they looked fantastic.
-zen
Sorry, thought I had already filled the profile in. I'm in the Portland, Maine area. Just moved here from San Francisco a couple years ago. Before that, PA, GA, TN, NY, and CT...I'll check out that stuff as well. I tried some of the MinWax pre-staining wood conditioner last night on a scrap, and it already darkened up the wood just enough, but I'll try a few things out before I do the entire stairs.I'll post pics when I'm done.Thanks,
-Sean