Jim Conway wrote:
On Oct 9, 9:46 pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Jim Conway wrote:
Hi All,
I'm on the tail end of a basement refinishing project and have two
questions:
1. Are pre-finished stair treads (for interior staircase) common and
something I would be able to find easily, or do they typically sell
them as unfinished? I'm looking to avoid the toxic aroma associated
with finishing them in their entirety if it can be avoided.
What "toxic aroma"?

Perhaps 'unhealthy aroma' would have been a better choice of words.
I'm talking about the smell of the polyurethane which would require
open windows until it abates, but as I've also learned (having
previously painted with an oil-based primer) which would also be
susceptible to creating an exhaust-like smell due to hot-water,
dryer, or furnace pilot igniting the fumes....
If you decide to go with prefinished, I'd air them out for several days
in someplace other than the house. I remember unboxing kitchen cabinets
and stair parts as a kid, and the outgassing from the finish after it
was trapped in a hot truck or warehouse, would knock you on your ass.
Any fresh finish will smell for awhile. Factory finish will probably
abate quicker, since it is partially cured when you get it. I understand
modern water-based urethanes are much better that way, but have never
worked with them personally. Big virtue of factory finish is that it is
much harder and more durable than anything you can do in the field. (In
my experience, at least.)

--
aem sends...