Restoring Wooden Stair Treads for Safety and Beauty (60–220 Grit Sequence)

Wooden stair treads take a beating over the years. Foot traffic, grit, and occasional spills can wear away the finish, leaving them slippery, dull, or damaged. Refinishing your stair treads with proper sanding not only restores their appearance but also improves safety by ensuring a uniform, slip-resistant finish. In this guide, we’ll cover the full sanding process, from rough shaping with Grit 60 to fine finish prep with Grit 220.

Why Sanding Stair Treads is Essential

High-traffic areas like stairs accumulate scratches, dents, and worn spots faster than other wooden surfaces. Sanding levels out imperfections, removes old finish, and opens the grain for stain or sealer to penetrate deeply. Skipping this step can result in a patchy finish that wears quickly underfoot.

Tools & Materials

• Orbital sander for large tread surfaces
• Sanding block for edges and corners
• Vacuum and tack cloths
• Multiple grits of sandpaper
• Wood filler (optional)
• Stain or paint
• Clear protective finish (polyurethane or varnish)
• Safety gear: mask, goggles, ear protection

Best Grit Sequence for Stair Tread Restoration

• Grit 60 — Heavy removal of old finish and surface defects
• Grit 100 — Smoothing after coarse sanding
• Grit 150 — Further refinement before stain
• Grit 220 — Final prep for a smooth, professional finish

Step-by-Step Sanding Process

1. Prepare the area. Remove runners or carpeting. Pull any nails or staples from the wood. Vacuum thoroughly to remove dirt and debris.
2. Initial sanding. Using Grit 60 (10-pack), sand each tread to remove the old finish and level any uneven spots. Work along the grain to avoid deep scratches.
3. Repair damage. Fill any dents, gouges, or gaps with wood filler. Let it dry completely before moving to the next sanding stage.
4. Second sanding pass. Switch to Grit 100 (25-pack) to smooth the surface and remove marks left by the coarse grit.
5. Refining pass. Use Grit 150 (50-pack) for a finer surface that’s ready to accept stain evenly.
6. Final sanding. Lightly sand with Grit 220 (100-pack) to create a silky feel and prepare for the final finish.
7. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum the stairs and wipe with a tack cloth to remove all dust—this step is essential for a flawless final coat.
8. Apply finish. Stain or paint the treads, then seal with a durable clear coat. Apply at least two coats, sanding lightly with Grit 220 between coats for best results.

Special Cases

For painted stair treads, you may need to strip the paint chemically before sanding to save time and reduce clogging of your sandpaper. If the treads are thin or heavily worn, use lighter sanding pressure to avoid excessive material removal.

Pro Tips for Success

• Sand in good lighting to catch imperfections before finishing.
• Replace sandpaper as soon as it feels dull to maintain cutting efficiency.
• Work methodically from the top stair down to avoid tracking dust over finished areas.

Aftercare

• Place mats or runners in high-traffic zones to extend the life of the finish.
• Clean with a damp mop—avoid excessive water.
• Recoat every few years to keep the surface looking fresh and safe.

FAQs

• Can I use a belt sander on stairs? Belt sanders can be too aggressive for stair treads; an orbital sander is safer and easier to control.
• Do I need to sand between finish coats? Yes—light sanding with fine grit helps each layer bond better and improves smoothness.

Watch & Learn

By following this grit sequence—from Grit 60 (10-pack) to Grit 220 (100-pack)—you can refinish your wooden stair treads to be both safe and stunning for years to come.