I need to refurbish several flights of open stairs (no risers) in a split level house. The treads are 1 1/2 inch thick pine, and the surfaces are badly scratched, worn, and blackened. With 36 treads, and a limited budget, I need a clever way of refurbishing them. Sanding and refinishing does not seem practical. The rest of the staircase has a urethane finish, with no stain, and I would like to maintain this look. Budget is around $300 to $400.

Paint them with floor paint or tell us how limited your budget is. Stair False Tread Kits l Oak Stair Parts l Stair False Tread End Caps - <span>Treads</span> Risers & Trims (http://www.stairwarehouse.com/falsetreads.html)