fixing up minor knicks, cracks and resurfacing existing wood stairs and window frames

[muzafferkal]

We recently moved into a house built in late 70s which has gorgeous wooden stairs and nice window frames everywhere which I love.

It's just that there is some minor wear & tear in most places. There are some splinters in the stairs and even on flat surfaces in some window  sills and some water damage where stain has gone away etc.

What I'd like to do is to make everything nice and new(ish) looking. Some glue for the splinters, some small holes to be filled in, some very light sanding and staining and laquering?

The issues are: 1) I haven't done anything like this in a long time, 2) as all these things are inside the house sanding is an issue (is there something like wet sanding which doesn't produce much dust?) and 3) any glues, grout, stains which gas out.
I'm looking for general suggestions in this area. How do I make wood hardware look new? How do I fix the splinters? which glue? which grout? what stain and or laquer etc. 

I don't have any pictures but I can make them available if necessary for better advice.

 

Thanks.

[Von]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new home. There are some here with a lot more expertise in home restoration than I, so I'm going give them a chance to respond.

[wtnhighlander]

Welcome! Yes, pictures help a lot, but to address yourconcerns about dust and fumes:

Random orbit sanders with vacuum attachments allow very little dust to escape. If that is still unacceptable, hand-sanding (dry) may be the best solution, allowing you to capture thedust with a vacuum or tack cloth between strokes. Wet-sanding raw wood can be problematic, in my experience.

As for fumes, PVA glues like Titebond have very little odor. There are plenty of stains and 'varnishes' that are mixed in water. These perform well when applied properly, and have low odor / fume content, but may not match the existing finishes, as those from the 1970s were primarily oil based.

[Tom King]

Gonna need pictures.

[Mark J]

Just a reminder, in order to attach pictures, as a new forum member you have to have made a few posts to the forum.

[wo0denguy]

Hey, so my previous response was deleted for some reasons, so i will be brief here, first of all you need to send me in pm or here some pictures and i will answer any of your questions & help you. 

[wo0denguy]

On 12/22/2024 at 7:58 PM, wo0denguy said:

Hey, so my previous response was deleted for some reasons, so i will be brief here, first of all you need to send me in pm or here some pictures and i will answer any of your questions & help you. 

Also. wanted to say that i have a lot of free time to learn n help other people, thats why im browsing forums and finding useful threads/information for me, i was restoring some old windows glass balustrades so ask if you wans something =)