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Message |
    
ceejay
Citizen
Username: Ceejay1234
Post Number: 27
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:05 am: | 
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Has anyone every stained very basic wood steps--poplar or other similar wood? I'm being told different things from different companies--that they can't be stained because the wood won't hold it and that they can't be painted because it won't look good. But we don't want to carpet them if we can avoid it...any suggestions?
Signed,
Desperate for Nice Stairs |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 36
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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ceejay, I've stained poplar for a Habitat home and it took the stain and then was finished with multiple coats of poly--looked great when all done.
If you want a dark stain I'm not sure, however, that you can get the penetration that really would make the wood glow. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11040
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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The prefered wood for stair treds is douglas fir. Are you sure your stairs are poplar? I don't think I have ever heard of this.
We have a poplar entertainment unit that we stained and it looks fine, other than the wood has no real character. I would be hesitant to try to stain poplar that has a green tinge to it, especially if on the same piece as the more yellowish/white wood. |
ceejay
Citizen
Username: Ceejay1234
Post Number: 29
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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Well it turned out, after we were told they were poplar, they are actually all oak except for the first step, which now they think is maple. I suspect at some point the first step needed to be replaced, so the then-owners picked maple for some reason and then painted the whole thing black. So we're sanding, scraping and staining...
But now based on your advice, I'm thinking multiple coats of poly would be good anyway? What does that do for the finish/wood? |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 90
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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The Oak and Maple will stain fine. For soft woods (Fir, Pine and Poplor) I've found it is best to use a stain sealer to close the pores before you apply the stain. You can get it a HD.
You might use a marine grade varnish instead of the poly. Poly doesn't have the UV protection that marine grade varnish does. You can also get it at home depot. |
jeb
Citizen
Username: Jeb
Post Number: 107
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 4:21 pm: |
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stairs need runners or rubber tread. lots of accidents occur on slippery stair cases. |
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