I have used the minwax floor poly on my own steps when I built them about 10 years ago and they have held up really good. They still look very nice. Seems to be a really tough finish. We built a set of oak treads and risers at my sons house and used something else. I cant remember the name, but was something from a flooring professional supply company. It appeared to me to be pretty much the same as the minwax. Milky colored, and put it on with lambs wool. It too looks real nice and no wear yet, but its been on only a year or a bit more, so I can't say for sure how durable it will be.