Best Sandpaper for Refinishing Hardwood Stair Treads and Railings

Hardwood stair treads and railings take a beating from daily foot traffic and hand contact. Refinishing them restores beauty and extends their life—but the process starts with sanding. The correct grit sequence ensures smooth, safe, and professional-looking results.

Why Sand Stair Treads and Railings?

Over time, stair surfaces develop scratches, dents, and worn finishes. Sanding removes old coatings, smooths imperfections, and prepares the wood for stain or polyurethane. Without sanding, new finishes won’t bond properly and may wear prematurely.

Tools You’ll Need

• Orbital sander for treads
• Detail sander or sanding sponge for railings
• Vacuum with brush attachment
• Tack cloth or microfiber rag
• Silicon carbide sandpaper sheets

Best Grit Sequence for Hardwood Stairs

• 80 grit: Removing old finish and leveling dents.
• 120 grit: General smoothing after stripping.
• 180 grit: Refining and blending surface.
• 220 grit: Final sanding before stain or polyurethane.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Hardwood Stairs

1. Start with 80 grit. Use 80 grit (25-pack) to strip old finishes and remove deep scratches.
2. Move to 120 grit. Switch to 120 grit (50-pack) for general smoothing.
3. Refine with 180 grit. Use 180 grit (25-pack) to blend the surface evenly.
4. Finish with 220 grit. Sand lightly using 220 grit (100-pack) for a stain-ready surface.
5. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum and wipe down to remove all sanding dust before finishing.

Special Cases

For railings with curves, use sanding sponges or folded sheets for precision. For heavily worn stairs, you may need two passes with 80 grit before moving to finer grits.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the wood grain for best results.
• Use dust barriers—stair sanding creates a lot of fine dust.
• Replace sandpaper often; dull sheets burnish wood instead of cutting.

Aftercare

• Apply stain or polyurethane within 24 hours of sanding.
• Use rugs or runners on stairs to extend the life of the finish.
• Clean sanded railings with a tack cloth before sealing.

FAQs

• Can I use a belt sander on stair treads? Not recommended—it’s too aggressive and can leave gouges.
• Do I need to sand between polyurethane coats? Yes, lightly with 320 grit for the smoothest finish.

Watch & Learn

Sanding is the foundation of stunning refinished stairs. Shop our hardwood sanding collection to get the grits you need.