I will be staining some new red oak balusters for the interior staircase. Over the next few years, I’ll be staining a lot more with the same color, including existing stair treads, risers, handrails, trim and doors (which will all be stripped and sanded). For now, it’s just the new unfinished red oak balusters and maybe some repurposed or new trim.

I’m leaning toward minwax wood finish oil based dark walnut stain, and looking to create a dark monochromatic color with satin finish. Some grain is desirable, of course, but I don’t want a lot of contrast, and I don’t want it to look like paint.

Should I use the minwax pre-stain wood conditioner?

Should I wipe down the red oak wood with water to open up the pores/grain so it will absorb more stain?

Should I spray or brush the polyeurothane? How many coats for balusters?

(I’ve done this before at a different house, but I forgot how.)

The pic on the left is my current staircase before staining. The inspiration pic on the right has the color of dark brown stain I am going for. (Balusters on left will be replaced with new ones stained dark brown, and risers will be dark brown, not white. I’ll be adding white wainscoting on the walls to brighten up the space, and there are a lot of lights available.)

This is the style of the new balusters - simple square profile, but in red oak.

Thanks for any advice!