Sand Hardwood Stairs for Stain: 60–220 Grit Plan (No Rounded Noses)

Stair treads take abuse, so stain will only look even and last if the wood is flat and edges stay crisp. This guide gives you a safe grit progression and technique to remove finish, flatten wear channels, and avoid rounding the bullnose.

Before You Start

• Pull or set nails/staples. Mask spindles, risers, and walls.
• Work under raking light so scratches and low spots are obvious.
• Use a soft interface pad on the flat tread and a small hand block for the nose.

Grit Progression (Dry Sand)

• 60 grit — strip finish and flatten cupped traffic lanes.
• 120 grit — erase 60-grit lines and even the surface.
• 180–220 grit — final pre-stain refinement for uniform color.

Step-by-Step

1. Level the field at 60. Keep the sander flat and move in slow, overlapping passes with the grain. Stop when old finish and shine are gone and the wear channel is flat.
2. Protect the bullnose. Hand-sand the rounded front edge with a small block—never let a powered pad wrap over the edge, which rounds profiles.
3. Refine at 120. Sand just enough to remove 60-grit lines. Check under light; if any coarse scratches remain, spot-fix then continue.
4. Finish at 180–220. For darker stain on oak, stop at 180; for a slightly lighter, smoother take-up, go to 220. Vacuum between grits to prevent random scratches.
5. Raise grain (optional). After 180–220, mist with water, let dry, then kiss with the same grit to knock down raised fibers for a silky first coat.
6. Clean. Vacuum thoroughly and wipe with a barely damp microfiber, then a light tack-cloth pass before stain.

Pro Tips

• Use pencil squiggles as a guide coat; when they disappear evenly, the tread is flat.
• Replace sheets often—dull paper polishes scratches instead of cutting them.
• Finish with a few hand strokes with the grain to erase any orbit holograms.

What to Buy (embedded picks)

For fast removal without gouging, start with Grit 60 — 25 Pack. Refine for even color using Grit 120 — 25 Pack, then prep for stain with a final pass of Grit 220 — 25 Pack. Need other options? Browse the full range at eQualle Sandpaper.

Watch & Learn

Result: Flat treads, crisp noses, and stain that absorbs evenly and wears longer.

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