Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 03, 2010 01:24pm | #1

   Poplar wouldn't be my first choice for a stained stair tread, it's usually chosen if the stairs are to be painted.  iA standard Minwax type stain is likely to be blotchy.  A dye would be my choice if you want any color of medium to dark shade.  Yes, you do want polyurethane topcoats, but you do not want run of the mill poly from the big box stores, you want a specialty floor product from a line that specializes in such finishes.  You don't want to have to refinish stairs very often, and in particular, you want a product designed to have the traction specifications called for for floors. 

   Hand rails are much easier than the treads.  I have used shellac successfully for the hand rails. 

1. 
   tomgood | Jul 04, 2010 12:23pm | #2

   Stairway...thanks

   Thanks for you reply on my stairway question.  I am not replacing or refinishing the treads.  I am just replacing the hand rail, newel posts and the spindles.  If you have any further thoughts, I would welcome them.

2. 
   tomgood | Jul 04, 2010 04:42pm | #3

   Thanks for the tips.  I'll make sure I test things first.