We’re still not done. Is it taking forever? – Yep. Have we almost used the world’s supply of sandpaper? – Probably. Do we think we’ll ever be finished? – Nope.
Okay, so we’ve already gone from this…
to this…
But there is still so much more to do. This has got to be the longest project in the history of projects!
We spent this weekend (as always) sanding the staircase. From a distance, it may look more or less okay, but when you get up close, you can see that we’d started to be impatient and paint over some areas that had been sanded, but weren’t completely smooth. After spending hours and hours sanding and painting, it just seems a shame to rush in the final stages and mess up the finish.
So, after filling some holes that we’d missed and after a few more hours of sanding, this is what the staircase looks like now.
What a mess It’s not exactly encouraging that the staircase now looks worse than before! I’m sure you’re all sick of reading about our staircase restoration, and we’re definitely sick of doing it, but – fingers crossed – it shouldn’t take too much longer now. (Haven’t I heard that somewhere before?)
The next job on our staircase restoration list is to prepare everything for the final coat of paint. That means that every white surface will need sanding (again!) with fine sandpaper – minimum 240 grit. Then we can hopefully start painting again.
Check out the other lovely DIYers taking part in the DIY Duel – they are all doing amazingly well in restoring their staircases!
Sandra @ The House of Bing
As we just love to make even more work for ourselves, we’ve had a staircase related project idea. It still needs a bit more planning, but we’ll share it with you all later in the week.
Katie Hancock says
So pleased I found your blog. I too am doing up a house in Manchester with my husband. Absolute kudos to you for spending so long on the staircase. I had been planning to do the same but I have to admit when I stripped off the paint and found bitumen underneath my resolve wavered a bit.
It’s like treacle when it heats up and it clogs up the sander immediately. Nothing gets it off. I’m not sure I can handle doing a whole staircase of this stuff. Did you have bitumen on your woodwork? Do you have any tips?
Christine says
So happy you found your way over to us!
Yep, restoring the staircase took such a long time, but looking back it was definitely worth it! Luckily we never came across any bitumen, so I’m afraid we have no idea how to tackle it. Sorry we can’t be more help!
Cx
MarieRoxanne says
Your staircase actually looks finished but it’s an illusion until I saw the patched up holes. Oh well, sanding is good therapy …. right?
Christine says
Fingers crossed, not too much more sanding. I might end up needing therapy because of all the mind numbing sanding! ;-)
Cx
Sandra says
I loove the hanging light! Is it hard to dust? Just removing the carpet has made the stairs look much more upscale! I am excited to see the new project you planned. Isn’t it amazing how these things grow?!?
Christine says
Thanks Sandra! We made the veneer lampshade ourselves. It really easy to take down, so I usually “dust” it then by giving it a quick shake. I’ve actually been working on the new project today! I love starting new things, even if I should probably finish the projects I’ve already started first…
Cx