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Finishing an oak stairs? Laquer? Vanish? Oil?

  • 29-07-2016 09:42PM
    #1
    893bet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,642 ✭✭✭✭


    I am trying to decide on how to finish my white oak stairs. I have been advised everything from oils to laquers to varnish and combinations of the aforementioned.

    Any advice? I want a matt/satin finish and to keep the colour as close as possible to the White oak color.

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Comments

  • #2
    tabby aspreme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭tabby aspreme


    Oil or oil based varnish will darker the timber the most, Cellulose or water based lacquer/ varnish will keep the colour nearer to what it is currently. Try the different finishes on some off cuts first, it's looking good well done.


  • #3
    893bet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,642 ✭✭✭✭893bet


    tabby aspreme wrote: »
    Oil or oil based varnish will darker the timber the most, Cellulose or water based lacquer/ varnish will keep the colour nearer to what it is currently. Try the different finishes on some off cuts first, it's looking good well done.

    That's a good idea. Will get some off cuts and just buy a few small tins.

    Water based it is. Will that be as hard wearing as a oil based finish?


  • #4
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,147 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Water based stuff needs a lot of coats. think about the hand rail and steps over time. Water based will need to be done more regularly, but as per above , it holds its natural colour better with the water products.


  • #5
    893bet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,642 ✭✭✭✭893bet


    BryanF wrote: »
    Water based stuff needs a lot of coats. think about the hand rail and steps over time. Water based will need to be done more regularly, but as per above , it holds its natural colour better with the water products.

    Ok thanks. I was thinking 5 coats wth sandings in between.


  • #6
    dmc17
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,875 ✭✭✭dmc17


    893bet wrote: »
    That's a good idea. Will get some off cuts and just buy a few small tins.

    Water based it is. Will that be as hard wearing as a oil based finish?

    Give this stuff a trial. Water based and hard wearing


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  • #7
    tabby aspreme
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭tabby aspreme


    The water based varnish is not as hard wearing as the oil based, but should be fine on a domestic stairs, before the final two sandings pre assembly rub the wood with a damp cloth to raise the grain , this will reduce the amount of sanding when varnishing .


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