[[ full tutorial on staircase renovation ]]

Welcome to the last and final part of this staircase tutorial! By now you should kind of know what to expect and have figured out what supplies you’ll need. Now I’m going to go over what I did to complete this project, step by step.






 Recap, you’ve been inspired...

You have the vision…
Now let’s get at it!

Step One: prepping is key




  1. Remove existing carpet [video]
  2. Clean the surface of debris, wipe down with a damp cloth
  3. Sand the surface
  4. Vacuum all the dust and debris
  5. Apply wood filler to holes/gaps in treads and spackle to holes/gaps in risers. Let dry. Lightly sand until smooth and surface is level

Step Two: stain the treads



  1. Take painters tape and tape off any areas you do not want stained (example, on the part of the risers that touch the treads)
  2. Prior to staining, I wiped down the step with a damp cloth
  3. Dip the staining sponge into the stain and apply directly to step. Follow manufacturers instructions which can be found on the product label. Wipe off stain with a lint free cloth. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the darker the color. Let dry
  4. After you have achieved the color you want (I personally used one coat Rustoleum Antique White then one coat Rustoleum Kona then sanded the Kona in some spots to brighten it up to achieve that rustic-distressed look) then lightly sand with a fine grit sandpaper before applying the top coat
  5. Apply your top coat per manufacturer's instructions on product label. I used an oil based polyurethane and did 3 coats, lightly sanding in between each coat. Note: oil based poly will leave an orangish tint (even though it may say clear) but it is the hardiest. Water based poly will not leave any tint, however it is not as durable, hence you’ll have to apply more coats. Also, you may want to choose a satin or matte finish on stairs. I used satin and it came out pretty glossy, wish I would’ve went with the matte instead.
  6. Remove tape after poly has completely dried

Step Three: install the skirtboard (this is optional, since some staircases have it already...lucky)



I’m going to link up the post I learned from. It is very detailed and has excellent material.
How to scribe and install skirt board to existing stairs

Step Four: paint risers





  1. With painters tape, tape off the areas you don’t paint to get on (for example, the treads you just finished) and lay rosin paper (it’s similar to construction paper) over treads and secure with tape
  2. Use a paint + primer for trim and paint risers according to instructions on product label
  3. Use a pencil first, then go over with a black oil based paint pen for the shiplap
  4. Once the ink is fully dried, protect it with a clear top coat. I used Minwax Water Based Poly
  5. After everything is dried, remove the tape and give yourself a pat on the back, you’re DONE!

I'll probably add more detail in the future. In the meantime, if you have any questions what-so-ever , please write it below in the comment box or message me. I love hearing from you!

I am also working on tutorials for the wainscoting, shiplap, faux beam, and refinishing + mounting the handrail. Check back soon or sign up for email alerts.

Until next time...
Katie
XO


This post contains affiliate links, however all items are what I used and/or highly recommend. What's an affiliate link? Well, I earn a commission off these products (products I like and rave about :))