Renovating staircase - finishing touches?

[preecy]

So i spent the bank holiday fitting an Axxys Clearview stair kit (oak newel posts, handrail, baserail and glass rackes). I also intend to cover the tread/risers with an Oak StairKlad kit to complete the look.

I have a couple of questions for the pros if you dont mind:

- I was planing on varnishing the newels, handrails & baserails with clear satin varnish as i have done with my oak doors. However, the Stairklad panels state they're pre-finished with Osmo oil. Would you suggest using this instead. Personally i think i prefer the varnish finish but would like the tread/risers to blend nicely with the rest of the stairs.

- I had to bore/counter sink a few hole in the newels to fasten them to the stringer. I have some real oak caps/covers but they're the raised button type. I would prefer a discreet flat cover which blends into the newel. Do you guys cut your own (if so how) or can you purchase these from somewhere?

- I have a few gaps where i have cut the newels. i would like to fill these before varnishing. What oak coloured filler do you recommend? Preferably one i can load into a caulk gun?

Any help appreciated.

 

[chappers]

yeah I would keep them the same, just beware that some of the osmo oils are slightly pigmented. shouldn't be too much of a problem with oak, but just be aware. That's with the caveat that the oak is similar in appearance.
What size did you counter-bore with. you can buy oak pellets off the shelf they will glue in nicely to a 12mm hole, or else you can buy various sizes of plug cutter.
As for filler, there are so many to choose from, its really just a matter of finding one that matches

 

[preecy]

Cheers Chappers
I went with clear satin varnish in the end. I tried some osmo oil on an off cut from the newel post but didnt like the end results.
Also, the timber supplier i got the osmo oil from also supplied Chrome Axxy cap/covers so i ended up using these rather than oak pellets or attempting to cut my own.
I also picked up a few oak colour sealants which ive yet to try out but am sure one of them will match ok

 

[chappers]

Nice one, glad it went well, always nice to hear the results. good luck finding a match with the filler