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Its strength, resilience, and durability make it a common selection for stair treads among both homeowners and contractors. These treads often feature a bullnose—a rounded edge—running along their length. To highlight oak's rich grain lines, select a stain such as honey or deep red oak. A satin polyurethane finish will safeguard the stain and create a surface suitable for foot traffic.",[67,68,70],"h2",{"id":69},"step-1","Step 1",[49,72,73],{},"Begin by sanding the treads with 100-grit sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain; never go across it. Run your hand over the wood to confirm the surface is smooth and free of raised fibers.",[67,75,77],{"id":76},"step-2","Step 2",[49,79,80],{},"Remove sanding dust with a vacuum. Then, use a tack cloth or rags to eliminate any remaining dust particles from the treads.",[67,82,84],{"id":83},"step-3","Step 3",[49,86,87],{},"Using a paint stick, gently stir the stain. 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