When refurbishing stairs, an important aspect of the preparing process is smoothing down the timber surfaces all set for a new covering – no matter whether that be carpet, paint, varnish or wooden stain. The most successful way of eliminating the previous coating is to sand down the staircase. Here’s how to do it:
Initial of all, if the stairs have been earlier carpeted, get rid of all tack strips, staples and nails left in the wooden. Hammer them below the area if they are far too challenging to extract. Use wooden putty to fill in any cracks and holes, and leave to dry.
Substantial stair elements this sort of as treads and risers are very best tackled with a sanding machine (don’t forget to wear a dust mask and security eyeglasses). There are numerous styles which include:
Belt sanding machine – perfect for big, flat expanses these as staircase treads
Random orbital sanding device – can be utilized on a wide range of flat and a little bit curved surfaces
Detail sanding machine – ideal for mild sanding in tiny areas and corners
Sheet orbital sanding equipment – good for gentle-responsibility responsibilities and corners
Belt sanding device
This impressive device works by implies of a sandpaper belt that turns on rollers at each end of the device. It is excellent for major-responsibility tasks involving significant, flat surfaces that have to have velocity fairly than finesse. This will make it fantastic for sanding down stair treads and risers. Inexperienced persons beware, nonetheless – you can conveniently spoil the surface if you are not watchful.
You must begin with a coarse belt of 40 or 60 grits, then transform to finer 120 or 180 grit belts to get the surface area clean more than enough. Sand parallel with the wooden grain and retain the equipment going all the time for an even final result. Only mild strain is expected, so enable the body weight of the tool do the function.
Random orbital sanding equipment
Preferred with carpenters, joiners and Do-it-yourself buyers alike, this form is the most versatile, and is a lot easier to use than a belt sanding device.
The device works working with a round abrasive disc which vibrates whilst rotating at pace. It moves in an elliptical (irregular) orbit, which makes sure that no section of the disc travels along the exact same route two times. This pretty much gets rid of the prospect of leaving swirl marks. You can use it for both of those coarse and wonderful ending operate by attaching diverse grades of disc.
When you start off sanding, use lengthy overlapping strokes, preserving the device going continually. Keep it degree to prevent making swirls, and only apply light force. If you have never ever used a sanding machine in advance of, practise initially on some scrap timber right up until you get a feel for it.
Ending sanding equipment
Also identified as a sheet orbital sanding equipment, this is a superior choice for beginners as it is not likely to destruction the function area. The resource works employing rectangular or square sheets of sandpaper fixed to a vibrating spinning pad.
Little, light-weight and quick to run, it is preferably suited to high-quality sanding, rounding off sharp edges, eradicating previous varnish and paint, and smoothing hardened wood putty. It can get into corners too, many thanks to the sq. base plate.
Element sanding equipment
Compact and light-weight, a detail sanding equipment has a tiny triangular foundation plate which makes it possible for you to reach into smaller or awkwardly formed areas. It is made for employment demanding a higher degree of precision – great for sanding the corners of treads and risers, for example.
Do not hope miracles. This machine is not supposed for major-responsibility do the job, so you will will need to go thoroughly. Shift the resource little by little and evenly above the surface for a regular end, and keep away from pressing much too really hard.
Sanding spindles
When you appear to the spindles, a machine will be of minimal use. As an alternative, wrap strips of sandpaper close to the shafts and pull them back again and forth. You may have to resort to making use of a chemical paint stripper on intricately formed stair sections.
Sanding is tricky function! If you want to get rid of each individual last trace of the old coating from your spindles – in buy to utilize wood stain or clear varnish, for example – consider replacing them with new spindles in its place. You would help you save an terrible whole lot of time and effort.