Comments on: Update Stairs with Gel Stain (so simple!!)

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 02:18:46 +0000

In reply to Kristin. Hi, no they are not, they are oak. It will probably "work" but keep in mind it may not hold up as well. I would sand the laminate well, clean it with a TSP type of product, and then apply the gel stain in light, thin coats. Top with a high performance seal coat to finish.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:05:14 +0000

Hi! Are your stairs laminate? I have laminate and have the general finishes stain that I doing my stair rail with but the stairs are a lot lighter and I want to stain them with the same gel stain!! Will it work?? Thank you!!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 12:48:20 +0000

In reply to Lesa. I would probably stain first, then paint. You will need to let the stain get cured well so you don't mess it up with taping, etc. But either way you go, you will have to be careful. I recommend FrogTape.

By: Lesa

Lesa — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 12:32:47 +0000

In reply to Anne. Looks awesome! I need to paint my risers and spindles white also. Would you recommend using gel stain first, then going back and painting? Or pant first? I can't decide which is easier and will cause least amount of mess ups.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:30:17 +0000

In reply to Linda. You don't have to use the same brand at all. :)

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 22:08:29 +0000

I want to do this to my stairs…
Do you think there is a difference between using Minwax gel stain and another brand of top coat or should I stick with the same brand of Minwax?

Thanks!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 21:51:35 +0000

In reply to Mare. Hi Mare! No, it won't really penetrate the wood if you have that much varnish/finish on it. It would mostly only cover. I would probably sand a little bit deeper if I were you. You don't have to get all the way down to the wood but I would not want to apply this over very heavy, thick varnish. (and no, mine was not, we installed it at the same time as we did the treads and I only applied one coat of poly so it was minimal) Thank you...and good luck with yours! :)

By: Mare

Mare — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:06:26 +0000

I love this! We are remodeling our home and changing out all the maple wood that has taken on orange hues. My handrail on my staircase is my only issue left. The spindles are painted white and the handrail is maple with a very heavy topcoat of varnish or poly. You mentioned you only roughed up the existing top coat on your rail. Ours is shiny and thick with some grooves on the bottom that would be visible from downstairs, and I am not sure how it would penetrate the wood. Was yours like that, too? Does it penetrate or cover? Your makeover looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:20:41 +0000

In reply to Danielle. Hi Danielle, yes, it will work over any but take into account that your finished color will depend on the color underneath. If you are trying to counteract (reduce) the red in the underneath stain, look for a stain that has zero red tones and ones with more "greenish", flat tones instead.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 02:32:25 +0000

Hi! Would this work over a reddish brown stain or would they have to be primed first? Thanks!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 23:29:57 +0000

In reply to Victoria Kershner. Yes, it should work fine! (depending on what your stair treads are made of)

By: Victoria Kershner

Victoria Kershner — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 22:05:55 +0000

I’m thinking about pulling the carpet off my stairs and finishing the wood. Would gel stain work? It’s unfinished wood and I’d probably like to do it a light color.