Jarrah Treads, Risers and Hand Rail

[isaac.parkes]

Hi all,
First off, I would just like to say I have no idea when it comes to wood work.
What I am doing is buying jarrah in the following sizes for the following applications.
285*32 (treads) 190*32 (hand rail) and 190*19 (risers). If you look at the attached picture you can probably imagine the stairs and the half walls where I'll be putting the jarrah. I'll also be getting the cypress floor boards sanded and polished.
My question is what kind of finish (process and products) do I use on the stairs and half walls? Would I just use the same finish as when I get the floor boards polished?
I want the jarrah to be a bit of a feature!
Any help would be appreciate. Thanks

[isaac.parkes]

I now have all the timber and am keen to start work.
What grade of sandpaper should I use and what kind of finishing products.
Anyone???

[Tung tied]

I did the same with Karri a number of years ago and used the same 2 pack poly in a satin finish on everything - floor, wall, treads etc. It came up a treat. The 2 pack is nice and hard and will resist the everyday wear and tear. I sanded the walls and treads to 240 and the hand rail to 400. I rounded the front of the treads fairly heavily so there weren't any edges to damage with footware, kids toys (and to damage kids for that matter). I used a floor sanding company for the floor sanding and coating.

Cheers

Bryan

[isaac.parkes]

2 pack poly you say. Is this something I can just buy from bunnings and what brand would be best. With the sanding what grades of sand papper do you start with or do you just use the 240 and 400 grade that you finish with for the whole job?
Do I do it all by hand or can I use and electric sander?

[Tung tied]

I'm not sure if Bunnies have it, I got mine at a paint shop in Geelong, not very handy for you though. I think any store that specialises in paint should be able to help you out.

Depending on how rough the timber is I started sanding with 80 then 100, 120, 180, 240, 400. The 80 and 100 were on the belt sander then the rest on a 1/3 sheet finishing sander (I didn't own a ROS then). The belt sander can be a bit tricky on the hand rail so be careful. I sanded before I assembled and then fixed up any blemishes by hand.

Cheers

Bryan

[isaac.parkes]

I'm not sure if Bunnies have it, I got mine at a paint shop in Geelong, not very handy for you though. I think any store that specialises in paint should be able to help you out.

Depending on how rough the timber is I started sanding with 80 then 100, 120, 180, 240, 400. The 80 and 100 were on the belt sander then the rest on a 1/3 sheet finishing sander (I didn't own a ROS then). The belt sander can be a bit tricky on the hand rail so be careful. I sanded before I assembled and then fixed up any blemishes by hand.

Cheers

Bryan

Thanks for all your help mate. I have now sanded all the tread with a 120, 240,340 grit and assembled the treads, risers and hand rails. I'm ready to do the finsh now and am wondering what the difference between 2 pack poly and 2 pack epoxy is?
Thanks agains for your help

[Tung tied]

Hi,

I think epoxy is a harder finish than poly.

Cheers

Bryan