Refinishing Wooden Stairs with Sandpaper Sheets: 60–240 Grit Sequence

Wooden stairs endure heavy foot traffic, leading to scratches, dents, and worn finishes. To bring them back to life, you’ll need the right 9x11 inch sandpaper sheets. eQualle’s wet dry silicon carbide sandpaper sheets allow you to remove old finish, smooth surfaces, and prepare stairs for a durable new coating.

Why Sand Wooden Stairs?

Stairs take more abuse than most flooring. Sanding removes built-up finish, evens out scratches, and prepares the wood to accept stain or paint evenly. Without sanding, new finishes won’t adhere properly and will wear out quickly.

Tools You’ll Need

• eQualle wood sanding sandpaper sheets
• Sanding block or orbital sander
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Stain or paint plus polyurethane
• Protective gloves and mask

Best Grits for Stairs

• 60 grit — Strips old finish and levels deep scratches. 60 Grit (25-pack).
• 120 grit — Smooths rough wood and preps for finer sanding. 120 Grit (50-pack).
• 180 grit — Refines the surface for stain or paint. 180 Grit (25-pack).
• 240 grit — Final smoothing before finish. 240 Grit (100-pack).

Step-by-Step Stair Sanding

1. Begin with 60 grit sandpaper sheets. Remove old stain, paint, or polyurethane. Focus on treads, where wear is most visible.
2. Switch to 120 grit. Smooth out the coarse sanding marks and prepare the wood for finer grits.
3. Continue with 180 grit sandpaper sheets. Refine the surface to achieve a balanced texture before staining.
4. Finish with 240 grit. This grit ensures an even surface ready for stain or paint to bond smoothly.

Special Cases

For painted stairs with multiple layers, you may need a chemical stripper before sanding. For softwoods like pine, avoid sanding beyond 180 grit before staining to maintain proper absorption.

Pro Tips

• Always sand with the grain to avoid swirl marks.
• Vacuum thoroughly between grits to keep dust from embedding in finish.
• Use wet dry sandpaper sheets for finer sanding with less dust indoors.

Aftercare

• Apply polyurethane for durability once staining is complete.
• Use stair runners or pads to extend finish life.
• Keep leftover sheets flat and labeled for future touch-ups.

FAQs

• Do I need to sand between finish coats? Yes—lightly sand with 220 grit between coats for adhesion.
• What grit removes old finish fastest? 60 grit cuts through finish layers efficiently.
• Which pack should I choose? For larger stair projects, a 240 Grit (100-pack) is a must-have for final smoothing.

Watch & Learn

Restore the beauty of your hardwood stairs with eQualle 9x11 in sandpaper sheets. Explore more in the Wood Sanding Collection.