How to Sand Staircases
- 1). Remove your shoes so that you don't track dirt and dust onto the stairs while you work. Sweep or vacuum the stairs to remove surface dirt and dust already on the stairs.
- 2). Dampen a rag in mineral spirits and wipe down the stairs to remove grease, wax, oil and dirt stains.
- 3). Start with coarse-grade sandpaper, held in your hand or wrapped around a sanding block. If you use a sanding block, make sure it can get into the corners on the tread.
- 4). Sand with the grain of the wood, working across the topmost tread of the staircase. Work in smooth, even passes, sanding equally at each point so you don't create more scratches or dips. Continue until the surface feels slightly rough but even to the touch.
- 5). Wipe down the tread with a tack cloth or damp rag to remove sanding dust. You can also carry a hand-held vacuum with you as work to take up the dust. Do not let the dust sit on the stairs as you continue to sand, as the dust will blow around.
- 6). Work your way down the stairs, sanding each stair tread (and the risers, if necessary). Make sure you remove all sanding dust from each stair before moving to the next.
- 7). Make a second pass down the entire staircase with medium-grit sandpaper, followed by fine-grit sandpaper, using the same procedures. By the time you are done with the fine-grit sanding, your stairs should feel smooth to the touch and you should not be able to see scratches or scuffs.
