Sand and varnish stairs, an idiots guide

Patjess

What would I need to do the following: want to rip up existing carpet, sand the stairs. Paint the back of each step white and the step part mahogany and then run carpet down the middle, so the side pieces of mahogany would show. Typical standard stair case, no twists or turns. How long should it take and what would my shopping list, obviously less the carpet, look like.tia.

dmc17

Shopping List:

• Primer for white
• White Satinwood for satin finish/white undercoat & white gloss for gloss finish
• Mahogany stain for steps
• Floor varnish for steps
• Sandpaper (Vibrating sander would be handy)
• White spirits
• 2 good natural bristle brushes
• 1 steady hand
• Plenty patience

*I've probably forgotten something somewhere

Patjess

Thanks. So does this sound like how I should go about it:
Lift carpet
Sand stair front and back
Clean up
Out primer on back of stair
Varnish step
Paint back of step

How many coats would each need. 20 yearly house, always had carpet on stairs. Does that seem the right running order? Thanks

dmc17

Patjess wrote: »

Thanks. So does this sound like how I should go about it:
Lift carpet
Sand stair front and back
Clean up
Out primer on back of stair
Varnish step
Paint back of step

How many coats would each need. 20 yearly house, always had carpet on stairs. Does that seem the right running order? Thanks

Yeah, that's the general idea. What kind of wood is on the stairs? Is it mahogany? If not, you'll need to stain it to get a mahogany effect.
I would give each part 3 coats if you want a decent finish that will last.
For the white part: 1 coat of white primer, then either 2 coats of white satinwood or 1 coat of white undercoat and 1 coat of white gloss.
For the steps: Stain and then 2 or 3 coats of floor varnish.
Let the back dry before coating the step and vice versa.
Finally, you have a choice between water and oil-based paints. Water-based is probably easier to work with and faster drying. I would probably choose oil-based personally though.

Patjess

Hey Dmc17. I haven't looked as yet to see what is there. But I assume not mahagony. If it is, I'll start searching the attic for old valuables and employ someone to do it for me:) what time frame would you put on doing it if I used fast drying paints? Thinking of kids on stairs etc and how to manage this. Thanks again

dmc17

With fast drying varnish (something like this) you'll be able to walk on the steps a couple of hours after each coat. After that you're probably looking at doing it over 2 days between drying and all the rest.