Sure, I googled it just through it back in your face. I get no pleasure correcting others, I just want to make sure the poster isn't getting bad info. I have no idea of your qualifications, as you have no idea of my experience with these products either.

I hope that spiced walnut turns out awesome. Black? never. Grey? Everybody is doing it. which is why I don't like it lol.

I forgot to add you can clean the wood with mineral spirits or paint thinner. This would show off the grain of the wood, but I think your trying to hide it.

You are trying to stain over a finish coating. Take a little water and sprinkle it on the wood. If the wood absorbs and changes to a darker color it should stain if it doesn't you haven't removed the coating.

General Finishes Gel stains are one of the best out there and will stain very dark and even. It will take more then one coat. Brush it on an let it sit then go back 15min later and wipe off the excess. LET IT DRY 24hrs and go back and apply as above again. If you reapply to early all you are doing is reactivating the stain and taking it off with the 2nd application.

Old Maters actually sells a base finish that is a yellowish tan for fiberglass doors that you can then stain over. Gel stains should cover just about anything but they need multiple coats over the course of a few days. You can't just keep layering within such a small time frame.

By the way soak those rags in water as they can spontaneously ignite and burn down your house. I soak in a metal container outside on concrete pad till trash day. No joke!!

Jodishi - I think I said a while ago "I see Ebony in your future?" That is black and that is what it takes to get what I thought you wanted. Looks great! Are you going to put another coat? Before Poly?

Perfect. I think a "quick" second coat, what I mean is don't let it sit too long, with give the color some needed depth and then with the poly it will be beautiful!! Good job and this is a JOB!

It is looking great. I see keeping bulbs working in that chandelier is a challenge as well! Great look though! Yes, it needs a second coat. Beautiful! Hang in there!

Oh yea, fun right? Well, do you have this light on a dimmer? If that is so, and the bulbs are not "dimmer LEDs" you will have problems. LEDs can be a real pain. I like them in some applications, but probably not this one. Can you replace them with incandescent? Might be worth it. Or better yet, contact the supplier and tell them what is happening. It can't be easy replacing those darn things at that height. Takes either a really tall ladder or scaffolding. Bummer for sure. I will keep that in mind for future clients. Sorry you are having that kind of problem in just a few weeks! Wow. Terrible.

Yup! Chain for ceilings that high are the only way. See this all the time. It is a cool piece though. Maybe you could sell it on eBay or some such thing and get a easier one to handle?

Wow! Looking good :-)

Great work! You deserve a medal!! That is sooooo hard! It looks really good though. How did you eventually get the depth of black? Or did you just wind up painting the darn stuff! haha!

OMG, but think of how much money you are saving. This would cost thousands to have done professionally. Bet it is the last one you will do! You must be elated at the look.

Looks even better close up!

Hope someone takes you out for a fabulous dinner at least! Maybe a weekend somewhere fun!

Finally! There you go! The results will be worth it.

Looks awesome!

Oh my gosh, I am starting this project next weekend and this post is making me simultaneously terrified and also excited. I need to get rid of my honey oak railings before I am driven to insanity.

Wow! you did an amazing job. So nice. Love it. I see a new chandelier too and it looks very cool. Can you post another picture with the chandelier showing better. I know you worked your b u __ off on this project, but you can be really proud of the outcome. Thanks for posting!!

I see shadowy shapes on the wall - seems nice huh !?

Love the shape because it mimics the space it is in. Really nice choice. I have the same challenge. Open staircase and 22' ceiling with 2 chandelier that work with a 3rd! I'm getting a headache just thinking about changing them out and they are dated and need to go. But, thanks you to your posting, you have inspired me!!

Beautiful! Thx for the "after".

How hard was it to change out the wood balusters to metal? We have almost the same staircase and are getting quotes right now.

@jodishi, Thats where I was thinking of getting my iron spindles for the past year. I've been putting it off cause I wanna get the fancy twisty ones and I'm concerned about dust gathering on them. Which it will. Just another thing to dust off and vacuum. I don't have a small house. Maybe eventually I'll just do it.

WOW you did a great job !!! What side rails did you use ??? .5" Help - So if I do my orange red oak, your saying I couldn't stain lighter, to get more a wash white oak look ?

Keith Collier

I love your steps. I am doing the same thing to my entrance staircase. However I am having a challenge with the stain completely drying, I have used general finish gel stain before. I followed all the appropriate procedures( mineral spirit, sanding, brushing on gel stain and wiping it off with rag.) I have done the same process to new unfinished wood posts and railings and it has been several days 5-6 and it is still tacky. Should i just topcoat and if so because they will stair trends I was told to us a topcoat that really protects wood and finish on floors so can I use Miniwax topcoat for floors with the General finish gel stain? Thanks for any advice Im desparate!!!!!!