You can also sand the stairs using coarse-grit sandpaper to remove the existing varnish and smooth out the surface.Ĭhemical strippers are available in most DIY and hardware stores and are a great way to remove varnish. The best way to successfully remove varnish from wood stairs is to start with a paint scraper and manually remove as much as you can along the grain of the wood. Removing varnishing from stairs is necessary for the process of re-varnishing or for when you want to prepare them for a new finish. Once sandpapered, you will want to wipe down the debris with a tack cloth and repeat until you have 2-3 coats total or however many coats achieves your desired finish.ĭo not sand after your final coat. Once your finishing coat is dry, you may wish to sand it lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper. Apply the polyurethane slowly and evenly so as to avoid air bubbles and allow the finish to dry. Using a good quality paintbrush, start in one corner of the stairs and work across the tread, with the grain applying your chosen finish. Most finishes are polyurethane-based or water-based polyurethane which takes several hours to dry.

Apply the FinishĪfter you have applied your final coat of varnish and let it dry, you will need to apply your choice of finish. Once again, make sure to evenly apply the varnish and cover all areas of the stairs and wait for the stain to dry before moving on.

Once smooth, apply the second coat of varnish to your stairs using the same technique as the first coat. Repeat the sanding step once the stairs have dried with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections and give the stairs a smooth and even finish. Apply the varnish evenly, making sure to cover all areas of the stairs and allow the stain to completely dry before moving on to the next step. Using a paintbrush, lint-free cloth or a roller, whichever is more suitable to your size of stairs, apply the first coat of your chosen varnish to your stairs. This step is also optional for those looking to create a particular design or only varnish parts of their stairs. Use the painter’s tape to protect any areas that you do not wish to varnish, such as skirting boards or walls. Before moving to the next step, make sure that your stairs are completely dry. Repeat the cleaning and sanding steps until you’ve reached the bare wood and be careful not to raise the grain with any wet ras. You can do this by either vacuuming between the passes and wiping down with a tack cloth or just by using a clean cloth to wipe the stairs of any dust and debris. Clean the StairsĪfter sanding, you will need to thoroughly clean your stairs. Sanding will also help the varnish adhere to the wood better. If you have a power sander, you can also power-sand the larger surfaces of the stairs. You can use sandpaper for this purpose, starting with a coarse 80 grit and finishing with a fine grit to get into any tight corners and around balusters. Start by sanding down the treads of your stairs to remove any rough spots or imperfections. You will need the following tools and materials to varnish your stairs: Most worn wood can be found on the horizontal treads and vertical risers of your stairs as these are the parts subject to the most foot traffic. How to Varnish Wood Stairsīefore you begin varnishing your stairs, you will need to check that the wood is suitable for staining.

Varnishing your stairs allows you to enhance the natural beauty of wood but also protects them from further damage caused by everyday use. To keep your stairs looking new and fresh, it is important to stay on top of varnishing. It typically takes just a few years before interior wooden staircases begin to look a little worn. Stairs are one of the most frequently used parts of our home, meaning that they are often subject to high foot traffic and wear and tear.

Paintbrush parts