Question with staining stair treads

[ive]

Hi all.

My wife wants some stair treads stained. The stair treads have some nicks and such. I’m wondering if I should leave the nicks or put wood putty on.

 

[Burl]

Leave them. Some fillers don't accept stains well, and it will stick out like a sore thumb. Also adds character.
l

 

[toolmiser]

If you fill them I would use something like a tinted epoxy. A lot of fillers will come loose with the beating a steps will get. The filler will not make the imperfections go away if that is what you are trying for.

 

[wrenchguy]

Leave and add sand so not to be slickery.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

You may want to be careful when applying stain as it can pool in the nicks and leave dark spots, also may not get into the nick and leave it lighter. It can give some character but I still try and get them "right".

 

[FlaGman]

No point in filling in a softwood, just going to get dented again…

 

[yeldogt]

It's pine -- so you may need a conditioner to stain evenly .... typically pine was painted or washed in the old days

 

[engineer2]

Stair treads are easy to replace. Not sure what the pricing is these days.

 

[dogdog]

there are stainable fillers, usually it is not the water base one, the stinky acetone smell ones in a small can that cost you about $10... Dap Plastic wood... you can thin it a little with acetone to make it easier to apply... smells though.


I have good luck with this one. but require sanding.

DAP Plastic Wood 4 oz. Natural Solvent Wood Filler 21502 - The Home Depot

Enjoy the DAP 4 oz. Natural Plastic Wood Solvent Wood Filler 21502, stainable hardens to create a surface and body that looks and acts like real wood from The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

 

[toolmiser]

Sometimes you can raise the "minor imperfections" by putting on a couple drops of water and letting the fibers expand. It doesn't always work.

 

[four.cycle]

No point in filling in a softwood, just going to get dented again…

^ this.

Stairs are Stairs. They get beat. Stain it and be done with it, until it's time to re-stain.

YMMV

 

[four.cycle]

when your kid starts jumping up and down the stairs, one at a time, wearing roller skates, you'll understand what I mean.

 

[no704]

Could try to steam them out. A damp rag with a clothing iron works sometimes.