Prepare Treads (Sanding and Cleaning)

What happens in this clip

The creator introduces the project and outlines the initial preparation steps for the treads. This involves gathering safety equipment like a respirator, and materials such as 220-grit sandpaper (or 150-grit if the stairs are rougher), mineral spirits, and rags. He then proceeds to sand the wooden treads, moving with the grain of the wood to remove any accumulated debris or dirt and prepare the wood to accept the stain. After sanding, he uses a Ridgid shop vacuum to thoroughly vacuum all the sanding dust from the treads. Finally, he soaks a rag in mineral spirits and wipes down the entire surface of each tread, ensuring it looks wet. This cleaning step removes any remaining dust and opens up the wood grain, making it ready to absorb the stain evenly.

Goal: Clean and prepare the wooden treads to accept stain.

What's used

Tools

• Respirator
• Dust mask
• Sandpaper
• Orbital sander
• Shop Vacuum Ridgid

Materials

• Mineral Spirits
• Naphtha
• Rags The Brick
• Paper towels

About the full video

This video provides a detailed guide on how to refinish a staircase, including sanding, staining, and polyurethaning the treads, as well as priming and painting the risers and stringers. The project highlights crucial preparation steps, product selection, and proper application techniques to achieve a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish.

Step 4 of 9: Prepare Wood Treads for Finishing

If the treads are wood, sand them smooth using fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 180-220 grit). Remove any old finish if necessary. Wipe away all sanding dust with a clean cloth or vacuum cleaner. Ensure the wood is clean and dry.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Update a Spiral Staircase

1. Step 1: Assess Existing Staircase Condition

   • 1:02–1:35 Visually Inspect for Staircase Wear and Damage
   • 0:00–0:53 Assess Damage & Prepare for Repair
   • 0:15–0:30 Initial Inspection and Hazard Identification

2. Step 2: Clean and Degrease Components

   • 2:29–3:41 Prep Day: Cleaning and Sanding
   • 1:52–2:08 Scrape Loose Paint Flakes
   • 0:34–0:40 Mechanically Remove Loose Rust and Flaking Material

3. Step 3: Prepare Metal Surfaces for Finishing

   • 0:37–0:41 Sand the Staircase
   • 0:07–1:27 Sand and Prime the Staircase
   • 0:32–1:08 Clean, Sand, and Tape the Staircase

4. Step 4: Prepare Wood Treads for Finishing

   • 0:20–0:25 Sand and Finish Treads
   • 0:21–1:25 Prepare Treads (Sanding and Cleaning) (this video)
   • 2:06–2:52 Sand Stair Treads and Risers

5. Step 5: Apply Primer to Metal Components

   • 0:20–0:23 Apply Rust-Inhibiting Primer
   • 2:51–3:32 Apply Oil-Based Primer
   • 0:32–1:06 Apply Rust-Inhibiting Primer

6. Step 6: Apply Finish to Metal Components

   • 3:22–4:09 Paint Metal Frame (Top Coat)
   • 0:14–0:28 Apply Oil-Based Enamel Topcoat to Iron
   • 2:25–2:48 Apply Top Coat Paint

7. Step 7: Apply Finish to Wood Treads

   • 4:29–5:04 Stain New Stair Treads
   • 3:22–3:28 Stain & Seal Stair Treads
   • 3:41–4:00 Seal Stained Treads

8. Step 8: Reassemble Staircase Components

   • 0:47–0:50 Reinstall Metal Railing
   • 0:22–0:31 Secure All Treads and Joints
   • 13:30–15:00 Install Stair Treads with Mechanical Fasteners

9. Step 9: Final Inspection and Touch-ups

   • 1:08–1:37 Final Assembly and Inspection