UGLY STAIR TRANSFORMATION! How to Add WOOD to your Staircase

Moments in this video

1. 0:01–0:09 Remove Old Carpet and Treads From How to Modernize a Dated Staircase with Rails, Lights and Treads, Step 1: Remove Old Treads and Risers

   Begin by thoroughly removing all existing carpet from the stairs and landings. Use pliers, a pry bar, and a utility knife to lift and cut the carpet and padding. Once the carpet is removed, use a staple remover to extract all remaining staples from the stair treads and risers. Next, carefully remove the old wooden stair treads. This can typically be done by prying them up with a pry bar, being mindful not to damage the underlying stringers or framing. Remove any nails or fasteners left behind.

2. 0:37–0:41 Sand the Staircase From How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs, Step 4: Clean and Sand Stair Surfaces

   Once all risers, treads, and landing flooring are installed, it's time to sand the entire staircase. Begin with 80-grit sandpaper on a random orbital sander to smooth out any imperfections, remove glue residue, and level minor height differences. Work your way through finer grits, typically 120-grit, then finish with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth, ready-to-finish surface. Use a detail sander or sanding block for corners and tight spots that the orbital sander cannot reach. Connect your sander to a dust extractor or shop vac to minimize dust, and thoroughly clean all surfaces with a tack cloth or vacuum before moving to the next step.

3. 0:37–0:41 Sand the Staircase From How to Update a Spiral Staircase, Step 3: Prepare Metal Surfaces for Finishing

   Once all risers, treads, and landing flooring are installed, it's time to sand the entire staircase. Begin with 80-grit sandpaper on a random orbital sander to smooth out any imperfections, remove glue residue, and level minor height differences. Work your way through finer grits, typically 120-grit, then finish with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth, ready-to-finish surface. Use a detail sander or sanding block for corners and tight spots that the orbital sander cannot reach. Connect your sander to a dust extractor or shop vac to minimize dust, and thoroughly clean all surfaces with a tack cloth or vacuum before moving to the next step.

4. 0:45–0:59 Apply Protective Topcoat From How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs, Step 11: Apply Finish (Stain and Sealant)

   After the stain has completely dried, apply a durable topcoat to protect the wood and enhance its appearance. For high-traffic areas like stairs, a product such as Varathane Floor Finish Polyurethane (High Traffic Formula, Crystal Clear Satin) is ideal. Apply the first coat thinly and evenly with a high-quality synthetic brush, working with the grain. Allow this coat to dry completely, typically 2-4 hours. Lightly sand the entire staircase with 220-grit sandpaper (or finer, as per product instructions) to remove any dust nibs and ensure good adhesion for subsequent coats. Clean thoroughly with a tack cloth. Apply a total of 3-4 coats, lightly sanding and cleaning between each coat, until you achieve a durable and beautiful finish. Allow the final coat to cure fully before heavy use.

Guides that use this video

• How to Modernize a Dated Staircase with Rails, Lights and Treads
• How to Get a Hardwood Look on Carpeted Stairs
• How to Update a Spiral Staircase