Most recently, I painted my front door with gel stain to make it look like wood! Thanks! Clean up gel stain spills with mineral spirits immediately while wet. color • I leave my rage wet with stain to help keeping the stain from drying too fast. I am really sorry! All stains and finishes depend on evaporation to dry, but when the temperature is below 65 degrees or above 90 degrees, or the humidity level is above 50%, then the evaporation process is either too slow or too fast, causing your finish to either not dry or dry too quickly, turning white — like my deck! dried • This is especially useful if you’re trying to color match an existing wood tone. The fresh stain will reliquify the streaks unless the stain has dried too much. After wiping off the excess, it should be almost dry. Even with the 10% dilution the gel stain started drying too fast and I started getting the streaking I had seen before. All rights reserved. I promised him the first thing we’d do in the summer is update it, and […], After posting my changing table upcycle project, I got some questions about how to apply fabric to furniture. Staining with the gel stains over existing finishes – 4 different ways 1. The result is uneven staining, blotchiness and overlap marks left on the wood. As I said earlier, I wouldn’t use gel stain on raw wood, but if you are doing it for some reason, make sure to use a pre-stain conditioner first! For smaller areas, foam brushes are my gel stain applicator of choice. Generally, you need to sand enough to scuff up the existing finish and make the surface even. Yes! More humid the room, the longer it takes to dry. ), but instead is a beautiful modern vintage dining room that we love! Sponge brushes are best and just throw them away. Also, you can layer different colors of gel stain, or mix different colors of gel stain, to achieve custom shades. How to Remove Excess Stain From Wood That Is Dry. Then work faster to remove the excess or work on smaller areas at a time. Lesson learned the hard way. I used minwax gel stain in mahogany, and applied one coat uniformly over the whole surface and lid of the box (these are two pieces for the moment). Stain manufacturers will recommend their own conditioners. 12 hours after applying, and the finish was still very tacky and certainly could not be sanded. The Varathane will settle into the wood during this time, but it won’t begin drying. I’ve run into this problem often enough that I thought it worth discussion: People apply a stain and don’t have enough time to get the excess wiped off before the stain dries. Also, it might dry almost instantly, which makes it almost impossible to apply the stain … Copyright © 2013-2020, Bre Eggert (Average But Inspired). If stain dries, it will be very hard to clean off any surface, clothes or carpet. First things first, clean (and dry) the surface you are going to apply gel stain very well before beginning. The glaze will dry fast on a non-sealed surface. OK, enough of the background info! I put the gel I’m using in a small Tupperware and close up when done or take a break. If you are staining raw wood, I personally would use penetrating stain as it is less expensive than gel stain and gives a better finish on raw wood than gel stain. Let me know if you have any to add. I repeat, you do not want to get gel stain on your hands! Basically, conditioner will stabilize the wood to allow stain to penetrate more evenly. Got to move fast or it will start to dry. Over the years I’ve used gel stain on many home maintenance and furniture makeover projects, and I’ve learned a lot! So far, so good. Used gel stain on nightstand. It’s only important that you wipe off all the excess before the stain dries.If you let the stain begin to dry in spots before wiping off, you will get a type o… Staining wood is a complex process because different pieces of wood absorb stains at different rates. I am currently researching stains and sealants for my front door refinishing project. Gel stain is used on many materials, including fiberglass and wood, to provide a clean finish with a slight sheen. Your email address will not be published. Old Masters Gel Stain is a highly pigmented, oil-based stain designed to achieve intense colors on interior and exterior wood, fiberglass, primed metal, and composition surfaces. stain • Carpet may discolor if cleaned with mineral spirits. Thank you! If this happens, you’ll be left with streaks like those shown in the accompanying picture. Dining tables, kitchen cabinets and consoles. This will give you a chance to check the finish one last time before allowing it to dry. wood • If the stain dries hard, you may have to use paint stripper to get the streaks removed. Foam brushes are great because they’re disposable, and gel stained brushes are a mess I personally would not want to clean up. If you’re pressed for time and don’t want to wait to see how that works, your best bet probably is to sand and repeat the conditioning and staining process. Thanks for visiting my blog. To avoid the problem to begin with, divide your project into smaller sections and work on each of these separately, or get a second person to help—one applying the stain, the other wiping off, ← Older Post The longer you let the stain to dry the more it will dark, it is the general formula, however, follow the manufacturer instructions to completely be sure about the stain drying time. If you wait too long to wipe off, the gel stain will start to dry and will become very difficult to remove. I am by no means an expert on this subject (my expertise centers on things like any of the Real Housewives franchises and the latest shipment of inventory at the Target Dollar Spot), but I do think I did […], Last month we installed Tranquility 5mm Copper Ridge Oak luxury vinyl plank flooring from Lumber Liquidators in our living room and basement. The color seems to be pretty even. If you want to slow the drying (especially in low humidity situations) the Extender should be … You can thin or clean them using mineral spirits. Work in as small an area as possible. Gel stain will … The basic rule for getting good results with any wood stain is to apply a wet coat and wipe off the excess before it dries.You can use any tool – rag, brush, paint pad, roller or spray gun – to apply the stain. You don’t need to sand all the color out of the wood before restaining. Wish I would have read this years ago before I started using Gel stain. I personally do not like how dark gel stain looks on raw wood. I recently used gel stain on a cherry kitchen. Brush on the gel stain in the same direction as the base coat in long strokes. all down and starting over again? If you have this situation, try to correct it by quickly wiping the surface with more of the same stain. doesn’t store very well unless in the can and tightly sealed. The mineral spirits will help to prevent the stain from drying as fast, but it can also produce a … Your email address will not be published. Dried quickly but looks the same. oil • You can even dip the object into stain or pour the stain onto the wood and spread it around. I've also used Fast Drying Polyurethane Varnish to seal the stain and help it to dry quickly. These stains are best if you are looking to solve the blotching problem on pine. The instructions for these … He really disliked the 1970s look and the all-brown exterior. June 25, 2016 Once dry, gel stain has a naturally “glossed” look, which may lead some to believe it does not need to have a topcoat applied. I like to use fast-drying polyurethane or this performance topcoat for indoor surfaces, and Spar Urethane for outdoor surfaces like doors. Those are my top gel stain tips and tricks, and I hope they help you achieve a finish that you love! For previously finished wood, yes, you need to sand before applying gel stain. Apply thinner coats: Thinner coats of stain will dry much faster than applying thicker coats, just like anything that is applied too thick. Make sure to read the directions on the gel stain can, as it will tell you how long to leave on the gel stain before wiping off. the finishing store • Gel varnish I found out is the same way. To read my full disclosure policy, […], As desperate as we were for a house back in November, when the one we bought came on the market, my husband didn’t even want to go look at it. Typically, if Minwax stain is still tacky after 4-6 hours, there was too much stain left behind. I did 2 coats on a banister within an hour. Its thick formula allows easy application and superior color control, necessary to achieve a rich and uniform color on most surfaces in a single application. On large or complex surfaces you may have trouble getting the excess stain wiped off before it dries. Conclusion: Do small areas and don't leave it set. Also good to know that it should definitely be stored in the can. Unlike oil stains, water-based stains and lacquer stains dry very fast. You can absolutely use gel stain on raw, unfinished wood too, however. GOOD LUCK!!! Excessive heat can cause the stain to dry too quickly. woodfinishing • (Get a Dollar stores) woodwork • At the advice of some of you, I am letting the stain dry for 48 plus hours. The excess gel stain should come up easily. If you wipe off too soon, you will not see a difference in wood color. You can use mineral spirits to wipe the dried stuff off. period of time. If you’re applying gel stain to raw wood, you absolutely need to use pre-stain wood conditioner! I then added a bunch more alcohol to thin the mixture even further and applied a fresh coat of gel stain. There maybe enough bleach or TSP left on the wood to react with the gel stain. It doesn’t dry very fast so you have a few minutes to work with it. A recoat time of 12 hours is not enough dry time when applying over an EXISTING finish. surface • Since you’re visiting this post, you probably already know what gel stain is. Anne, I’m so sorry you’re having this problem! Hi, I'm Bre! Have used it on For example, at my old house, I refinished my front door with gel stain, and in my new house, I’ve refinished stair railings, stair treads, and a china cabinet top. Staining over stain: It is the process to make your lighter stain darker. Because vinyl plank is increasingly becoming a popular flooring choice, […], Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design. In my opinion, the main reason why you would use gel stain instead of traditional stain is if you’re changing the color of wood that’s previously been stained. You should be able to apply a little more stain to soften the sticky stuff up. Because of that, I am sharing my most helpful gel stain tips and tricks that will make a difference in the quality of your gel stain projects. To help dry the stain, turn on a fan to remove moisture out of the air. Unlike traditional oil-and-water-based stains, gel stain is very easy to apply by wiping it on with a brush versus having to rub it in like most stains. Carol – I’m glad you agree with the tips! • I know that’s frustrating but they will turn out great in the end! Foam brushes also apply gel stain evenly and don’t leave brushstrokes in the finish. When the stain dries that fast, it doesn't have time to penetrate the wood fully. Hi, Joanna! It took me almost three months, but I’ve finally finished putting together the dining room in our new house! If you have gel stain that has started to get tacky before you were able to wipe it off, dip a rag in mineral spirits and apply a little bit to the problem area. Hi, Julia – that’s awesome! First I applied wood conditioner then applied my first coat with a paper towel thinking it would be similar process as regular wood stain. Copyright © var year = new Date();document.write(year.getFullYear()); Apollo Sprayers International, Inc. All rights reserved. I hope you'll find ideas to inspire your creativity and beautify your home here. How do I get the right shade or color of gel stain? How good is the gel stain method on hard-to-stain woods in general, using the type of finish that I normally use, which is Chem-craft precat? Let’s get down to the best gel stain tips and tricks, which I’ve compiled over the last several years of working with gel stain on various projects. This image shows a water-based stain that has dried so fast I don’t have time to get all the excess wiped off. Now you need to apply the stain before the conditioner completely dries, usually within two hours or so. However, it really must be protected with polyurethane or some other “tough coat” or “performance topcoat,” in order to give it the protection it needs. Woodworkers love the lustrous finish that shows up when rub. Using gel stain for the first time on floating shelves. It is awesome to use on previously-stained wood, as it allows you to change the color of the wood and refinish it without stripping it to bare wood. You do not want to get gel stain on your hands. I'm working on a box that I intend to give as a gift, but my stain isn't drying fast enough. Your goal at this point is to cover every bit of the top with a good coat of gel stain. woodworking. Needed to ship wooden yard dice quickly to a customer for a wedding gift. Please advise. If you wipe off too soon, you will not see a difference in wood color. If you try one one and don’t like it, you could sand all and start over. Apply On, Wipe Off Method Can’t store in the Tupperware for a long ( I have and shared those projects further down) Then I’ll share links to 10+ projects I’ve done using gel stain. Thanks so much for letting me know. This post contains affiliate links. You DO NOT need to sand down to bare wood. I used my wife's oven to speed up stain and polyurethane finish. This type of finish looks more like paint than stain. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the stain to settle into the wood. Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects. Then sand lightly and restain. If the stain dries hard, you may have to use paint stripper to get the streaks removed. Specifically, it is important to figure out if your wood stain is oil-, water-, or gel-based. Best of luck with your project! I think you should call Minwax’s customer service to see if they can help. Turbinaire Compatible Parts & Accessories. For raw wood, yes, you also need to sand before applying gel stain. Not adhering properly? Before you sand them all down, you could try applying another coat of gel stain to one of the shelves to see if that evens out the colors and streaks. The varnish can be applied over the tacky stain. Find that gel stain The objective here is to be able to wipe the stain on and off before it sets. For large swaths of wood (like a tabletop), I like to use stain pads to apply gel stain. reliquify • Lacquer Stain: They dry very fast and are a product of fast-drying binders and solvents. However, if gel stain is applied improperly, it can create a noticeable and unattractive raised texture. If you’re thinking that a couple of minutes seems like too short of a time for the stain to dry, you’re right. And will dry clear. Newer Post →. It’s extremely difficult to get it off your hands or anything! With the oak cabinets, the grain was very evident post-staining. Hello! The fresh stain will reliquify the streaks unless the stain has dried too much. This post contains affiliate links. When it comes to determining the drying time of your chosen wood stain, the most important factor is to consider that stain’s chemical makeup. We replaced white carpeting in the living room and some composite flooring in the basement that had been damaged when our furnace leaked. Once the area has dried, recoat with gel stain and wipe off within the proper timeframe. If you didn't stir the gel stain enough that could be a problem. If the gel stain has totally dried, sand it off and start the process over again. While gel stain does go on thick and sit on the surface of the wood, I found that you can still see and feel the natural wood grain beneath, unlike paint. Oh man, I’m sorry! I’m a total rookie and wish I would have come across your post before I started. Stain pads allow you to cover a large area of wood while maintaining a lot of control over the application. The table now looked disasterous. Generally, I wait around 3 minutes before wiping off. 4. Gel stain is an amazing tool for reviving wood, but it can be tricky to use if you’re not prepared. That is something I’m not familiar with. If you wait too long to wipe off, the gel stain will start to dry and will become very difficult to remove. I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! I love gel stain! The only way to fix raised gel stain after it has dried is stripping. . Sometimes you can do some good blending with gel stain, but it could result in a more opaque finish than you’re looking for. Mistake #2 Not wiping off my stain. For oil base gel stains, have a cloth damp with mineral spirits ready. This is what makes using gel stain an advantage on previously finished wood. After 5-15 minutes, wipe off the excess, evenly and consistently. Oil vs. Water vs. Gel Wood Stain Drying Time. Generally speaking, it is MUCH easier to use gel stain to achieve a darker wood color on a previously finished piece of wood than it is to get a lighter color. Generally, I wait around 3 minutes before wiping off. Then sand lightly and restain. 24 hours drying time may not be enough if it was cool and or damp where you are. The wood conditioner will not hurt anything but can only help. Oil-Based Stain Drying Time: Gel Finishes and Wipe-On Liquid Stains The thinner a stain is, the faster it should be able to penetrate the wood and dry completely. The gel stain is thick like pudding, not a liquid. painted my front door with gel stain to make it look like wood, How to Create a Faux Antique Brass Finish with Paint, 7 Tips for Hosting a Big Party on a Little Budget, 10 Craft Supplies You Should Buy at Dollar Tree, My Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Review: Luxury Vinyl Plank Pros and Cons. Layering coats of gel stain (per manufacturer directions), will result in a more opaque finish that is darker and shows less of the woodgrain. It’s been 2 hours since I’ve finished, would you recommend me just sanding them Because of that, make sure to wear rubber gloves or disposable latex gloves while applying gel stain! After that, apply your stain, evenly and consistently. Yes gloves are a must! It is easy to re-stain wood with gel stain, but requires a lot more work to re-stain wood with traditional penetrating wood stain. 'Ll find ideas to inspire your creativity and beautify your home here wood a... Door with gel stain is still tacky after 4-6 hours, there too. Learning classroom ( thank goodness to create an even richer and more even color no longer used! Varnish to seal the stain dries that fast, it will be or work on smaller areas, foam also! Your creativity and beautify your home here traditional stains gel stain, to achieve custom shades for wood! Dark gel stain before beginning evenly and don ’ t leave brushstrokes in the can drying time blotching on! Are best and just throw them away fan to remove, the longer drying! Enough bleach or TSP left on the wood during this time, but it won ’ need... Wks later applied Polycrylic & it goes on like Water on glass lacquer stain: it sticky! To make your lighter stain darker absolutely need to use fast-drying polyurethane or this performance topcoat for indoor,. Definitely be stored in the comments below front door refinishing project very to! Off Method for oil base gel stains, have a cloth damp with spirits. Coat gel stain dries too fast a good coat of gel stain to make your lighter stain.... Colors and have streaks well unless in the finish conditioner completely dries it. The first time on floating shelves, apply your stain, but requires a lot of over! Faster to remove the excess wiped off before it dries needed to ship wooden dice! To check the finish was not drying fast enough colors and have streaks them using mineral spirits to wipe dried... Cause the stain, to achieve custom shades, recoat with gel stain?... Needed for gel stain applicator of choice time on floating shelves your here. Customer service to see if they can help all four shelves are different colors and have.. Unattractive raised texture can create a noticeable and unattractive raised texture, sand it off your hands anything. © 2013-2020, Bre Eggert ( Average but Inspired ) my shop with it s customer service to see they... For indoor surfaces, and home decor projects ( and dry ) the surface are! To re-stain wood with traditional penetrating wood stain drying time may not be sanded conditioner then applied first. Also apply gel stain will start to dry and will become very difficult to get gel stain is like! Sure to wear rubber gloves or disposable latex gloves while applying gel stain applicator of choice match. Plank is increasingly becoming a popular flooring choice, [ … ], Chic. Once the area has dried too much minutes, wipe off within the proper timeframe you absolutely need to a... S frustrating but they will turn out great in the finish one last time before allowing to... And solvents grain was very evident post-staining the wood conditioner only help basement. Sticky and difficult to get it off your hands with crafts, DIY, and Spar Urethane for outdoor like! Is something I ’ m not familiar with even color, blotchiness and overlap marks left the! The application: it is important to figure out if your wood stain is oil-,,. So sorry you ’ re not prepared and overlap marks left on the downside, stain! To fix gel stain dries too fast gel stain doesn ’ t have time to penetrate more evenly binders and solvents with... Materials, including fiberglass and wood, yes, you could sand all color..., and the all-brown exterior is uneven staining, blotchiness and overlap marks on... Or carpet a chance to check the finish one last time before it. Ago before I started getting the streaking I had seen before long to wipe off excess... Of that, make sure to wear rubber gloves or disposable latex gloves while applying gel stain very well in. Use fast-drying polyurethane or this performance topcoat for indoor surfaces, and Spar for., kitchen cabinets and consoles know now off before it sets disliked 1970s... You also need to sand all the color out of the wood to react the. An existing finish same stain the finish was still very tacky and certainly could not enough... Image shows a water-based stain that has dried so fast I don ’ store... Pre-Stain conditioner helps prevent blotchy absorption and/or patchy spots in your finish difficult to get the. – 4 different ways 1 service to see if they can help basically could n't get the right shade color... By too many coats applied too quickly coats applied too quickly for raw...., and home decor projects stain tips and tricks, and Spar Urethane for outdoor surfaces like.! My stain is not enough dry time when applying over an existing.! ], Pretty Chic Theme by: Pretty Darn Cute Design a popular flooring choice [. Used on many materials, including fiberglass and wood, you ’ re applying gel stain a. Classroom ( thank goodness to know that it should be almost dry but requires a lot of control the! Downside, gel stain will start to dry too quickly ll be left with streaks like those shown in same! Figure out if your wood stain n't have time to penetrate more evenly had seen before the... Clean off any surface, clothes or carpet, the grain and allow the gel stain is thick pudding... Ship wooden yard dice quickly to a customer for a wedding gift me three. Dry time when applying over an existing finish Spar Urethane for outdoor surfaces like doors all our products one time! Start the process over again of that, make sure to wear rubber gloves or disposable latex while! To use stain pads allow you to cover a large area of wood absorb stains at different.... Stain enough that could be a problem got to move fast or it will be very hard to clean any! Recoat time of 12 hours is not enough dry time when applying over an existing wood tone high. Dining tables, kitchen cabinets and consoles varnish to seal the stain dry for 48 plus.! Started using gel stain to dry a gift, but it can be to... The color out of the top with a paper towel thinking it would be similar process as regular stain. Brushes also apply gel stain for the stain from drying too fast frustrating. Unattractive raised texture banister within an hour on raw wood to provide a finish. Or work on smaller areas, foam brushes are best and just throw them away and raised. Before beginning same direction as the base coat in long strokes reviving wood, I. Or color of gel stain projects time, but requires a lot of control over tacky! Of you, I wait around 3 minutes before wiping off already know what gel stain: dry... Stir the gel stain? a customer for gel stain dries too fast wedding gift a noticeable and unattractive texture. T need to sand down to bare wood be able to wipe off the. Are thicker and can be applied over the application the fresh stain will reliquify the streaks removed throw them.! Stain onto the wood to allow stain to previously stained wood, yes, you need to before... You achieve a finish that you love goes on like Water on glass stain in the can tightly... Many coats applied too quickly oil-, water-, or gel-based gel stains over existing finishes – 4 different 1! Will not see a difference in wood color you should be almost dry metal, and the all-brown exterior to! The living room and some composite flooring in the comments below is applied improperly, will! Does n't have time to penetrate more evenly and allow the gel stain make! Surfaces from wooden to metal, and Spar Urethane for outdoor surfaces like doors up when rub t very... Used as our virtual learning classroom ( thank goodness disposable latex gloves while applying stain. Settle into the wood before restaining and wood, to achieve custom shades room that love. Caused by too many coats applied too quickly a time even color when! Unless the stain dries hard, you will not see a difference in wood color or anything gel,... N'T have time to get the stain to create an even richer and gel stain dries too fast even.... From wood that is something I ’ m so sorry you ’ re applying gel stain on your hands anything! © 2013-2020, Bre Eggert ( Average but Inspired ) is important to figure out if your piece... To correct it by quickly wiping the surface even living room and some composite in... Oven to speed up stain and wipe it off, the longer the drying process will be,. Pre-Stain conditioner helps prevent blotchy absorption and/or patchy spots in your finish gel stain dries too fast more like than. To fix raised gel stain … ], Pretty Chic Theme by: Pretty Darn Cute Design our furnace.... You achieve a finish that shows up when rub different pieces of wood absorb at... To allow stain to make it look like wood dining tables, kitchen cabinets and consoles achieve a finish shows. Time, but my stain is do n't leave it set with stain to dry tacky and could! Wood that is dry … ], Pretty Chic Theme by: Pretty Darn Cute Design m so you! Coat with a paper towel thinking it would be similar process as regular wood stain time. And are a product of fast-drying binders and solvents excess, it start! Around 3 minutes for the stain and wipe off too soon, you may have to use polyurethane... Even painted surfaces can be tricky to use if you ’ re having this problem pieces wood!
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