Filler for wooden stairs?

[Unused Classified]

Hi, While moving a large TV down the stairs in the front hall we managed to drop the tv (broke it), putting large dents in the edge of a stairs and gouges in the surface of a few. These are wooden stairs that are stained a dark color and then covered with clear varnish. Ill need some material to fill in the holes, I'll have to tint it the right color and the material must be strong because it will have to be shaped into the dents on the edges while holding together when being stepped upon. Please suggest a material for this purpose. Thx

[RicodJour]

Before you go trying to fill the dents, try steaming them out. The wood fibers have been compressed, and if you sand off the finish at the damaged areas, wet the dents and then use a steam iron on top of a moist towel, the depressed areas will swell and be much easier to deal with.

You will not be able to use any standard wood filler for your purpose. The nosings on stair treads take a lot of abuse, and the filler probably wouldn't hold up. You would have to use an epoxy- based filler, and that would be very noticeable. Since they are stained dark, you could try using a toner to cover whatever patch you end up doing to make it blend in.

Depending on the severity of the damage, it might be easier to cut out the damaged area and install a wood dutchman. Google it.

R