How to Finish Oak Stairs

Lightly sand the flat areas of the stair treads only, using a hand wood electric sander. Use sheets of fine sandpaper to sand the other rounded parts of the stairs. Vacuum the dust away. Use a clean rag and wipe all the stairs to clear any leftover dust residue.

Brush the stain on the stairs with the grain of the wood. Have clean rags available to wipe off the excess stain as you apply it. Also, wipe the excess off in the direction of the wood grain. Apply two to three coats of stain. Let the stain dry between coats, according to the instructions on the can.

Apply a clear finish over the stain. Brush the clear finish on evenly and with the grain of the wood. When it has dried, lightly sand the first coat of clear finish. Wipe the dust off again to have a clean clear surface. Apply the second coat of the clear finish. Let it dry. Repeat the sanding process again. Wipe the surface clean again. Apply a third coat of the clear finish and allow it to dry.