staining stairs

Saint_Chris

Hi

I've had my stairs done with spindals.

I want to colour them. Not much darker than the original wood.

What is the best thing to use.

I've been looking at a cuprinol wood stain in light oad. You rub it on with a lint free cloth.

Any ideas would be greatly received.

specialK

Hi

I may be wrong here, but I am sure there is a wax or oil you can rub onto new wood. Maybe linseed oil?

I remember my auntie using this years ago, her wood always looked lovely, and seemed effortless to maintain.

Hope someone else has better advice.

Good luck!

ormus

i used Rustins wood dye on my staircase, after many many days stripping the old paint off!
just give it more coats depending what final color/shade you require.
we are really pleased with our stairs now.

misgrace

You can use a varnish, either, matt, satin, or gloss straight on new wood.
Or if you want the oak to have a slight colour, you can buy the varnish in a light oak.
If you want the natural colour, but just want a bit more depth to your oak, then I would stick to the coloured varnish, or even stain/varnish, (this does both)

But, if you go for the stain/varnish in oak, and like the colour after the first application,just do it once, then buy a small tin of either clear varnish, or you want a bit more depth then go like I said above.(coloured varnish)

Test this on any spare wood you have.

Also, if you want your new spindles to be really nce and smooth, then use wet/dry sandpaper,a soft one in between your stain/varnish and your actual varnish.
Also, go for the oilbase one, as its new wood, it will need protection for any subsequent coats in the future.
After a couple of years or when you want to freshen up then you can use the quick drying one, but start the job off the right way, your wood will have a much better look and finish with the oilbase.