"Jodi" wrote in message
news
I have a pretty good set of directions
(http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/har...-measuring.htm)
on
how to do this, but I'm wondering if anyone has any practical experience
they'd like to share.

I live in one of those big neighborhoods where there's about 3 or 4
different models of homes, and they were built quickly without any bells
and
whistles. I want to pull up my carpet and have hardwood and/or laminate
stairs. Is it going to be really ugly when I pull up the carpet? I have
laminate downstairs, and I'd like the stairs to match, but I'm finding it
near impossible to find stairnose for the type of laminate I have
(kronotex
from lowes)...any suggestions on how to match a stain?

Thanks for any info!

--Jodi

What I did on mine was to tint the clear. built up the coats until it
matched . then put more coats of un-tinted clear . You have to figure out
what wood your going to use then experiment with tints. I believe Lowes
sells small tubes of tint. You might try to contact the supplier some of
them will have stains or aim you in the right direction. I used Varathain
Diamond coat clear great stuff, water base.