Varnishing over painted stairs?

Question

Hello

I have an old wooden staircase that I am painting white. If I leave the paint as it is, it will get damaged when people walk on it. I want to put another layer of varnish on top of the paint, to act like a protective layer (and also make it glossy).

If possible, I would really like to use a 100% natural product (no synthetics) with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Does Tung Oil fit the bill? Can I place a natural oil over a painted surface?

Also, does it make a difference if I use water-based (emulsion) or oil-based (gloss/satin) paint for the white?

Thanks.

Answer 1

TUNG "OIL" is exactly that. OIL. It's designed to penetrate RAW wood.

Best case if you insist on paint would be a high grade Epoxy or Garage/Concrete floor paint and Polyeurethane over that. You pretty much have the notion in your last sentence. This is an area that will likely endure as much abuse as any other flooring.

NATURAL and wood finishes don't exactly equate. Certainly VARNISH isn't natural, and isn't strictly a CLEAR coat either.

Steven Wolf

My own, personal opinion would be the Risers in White with Natural Oak treads.

Answer 2

Varnishing Stairs

Answer 3

Varnish and paint are so completely different I don't understand your question. If you are talking about a solid color stain, it will look like paint. The only varnish one would use outside is spar varnish, which is make for boats but it is soft and flexible as it must be to adhere to wood that is expanding and contracting with temperature and humidity. Spar varnish is too soft to last long on stairs. White is a bad color for stairs as it will quickly look dirty and stay that way. But now that I read your question you don't say interior or exterior. But teak is not an inside wood so I am confused.

Answer 4

If you insist on painting the treads, plan on re-painting every 6-9 months depending on traffic. Varnish over paint won't work. If you use an epoxy coating, it is forever. An acrylic paint will hold up pretty well and dampness shouldn't hurt it. If you use an oil based paint, put a pint of spar varnish in each gallon and mix every few minutes as you use it. It makes the paint 4 times harder and it will keep it's shine for months. Personally, I like the idea of painting the risers and leaving the treads natural wood with varnish. Good luck.

Answer 5

You could paint liquid steel on the treads, and they would eventually show wear and tear over a certain amount of time. (less time than you wish too). Women's high-heels, guys with big feet rubbing over the edge of the tread, hand-carried luggage banging the treads, kids running up and down the stairs, all will be brutal on the stairs. All the previous answers are right on. Paint the risers, not the tread. Use a polyurethene satin finish on the treads and coat it well, maybe 2 -3 times.
Forgive the bluntness, but all is just my humble opinion.

Good luck

Answer 6

Water based paint will not turn yellow over time, oil based will. I wouldn't use any "oils" over the paint.