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106 FINISHING TIPS
NOTE : FINISH MUST BE APPLIED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PRODUCT DELIVERY TO THE JOBSITE !
It is important that all parts be lightly sanded before finishing . Any excess glue or oil from human hand can marr the evenness of the stair finish . Be sure all dust is removed to ensure a smooth finish .
Apply stain to a piece of wood as a test piece . This will help determine how much stain to apply and how long to leave it on the wood before wiping off any excess . The color may vary somewhat depending on various properties of the wood , such as end grain . Stain should be wiped on in small areas , then wiped off to desired darkness after no more than two minutes . Follow the recommendations of the stain manufacturer .
After staining is complete and allowed to dry , apply finish . Polyurethane finishes provide the best protection and a fine finish as well as rapid drying time . After each finish coat is completely dry , buff lightly with steel wool ( 0000 grade ) or 220 grit sand paper . Try this first on a test piece or an inconspicuous area to determine how much pressure to use to avoid damage . Next , remove debris left from buffing by wiping with a tack cloth . Generally , two or three coats of finish are required . Follow the recommendations of the finish manufacturer .
A fine furniture wax is normally recommended .
Note : It is critical to apply finish to all sides of all parts , including hidden surfaces , to minimize the gain or loss of moisture .
For information on finishing primed wood balusters , contact L . J . Smith .
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107 APPENDIX
107-A NEWEL NOTCHING
After the newel centerpoints and heights have been determined , draw the outline of the material to be removed on the newel with a square . Make a rough cut 1 / 8 " to 1 / 4 " away from the line , using further cuts to carefully pare away material up to the line . Hand chisel any remaining material .
IMPORTANT : Unless you are experienced at performing this operation , it is recommended that you practice marking and notching on a 4 x 4 or other scrap material . This is especially critical when performing a compound notch , such as that required for an intermediate landing newel .
STARTING NEWEL
Top of First Tread
Floor
Once notched , the starting newel will sit on the first tread of the stair . It will also drape over the first riser and the stringer . The exact dimensions will depend upon the placement of the newel .
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