Choose a gel wood stain for wood veneers, as they produce a shine without penetrating the surface too deeply. Stain can be trickier than paint in application and appearance, so I hope to offer some tips and tricks along the way to help you out! My favorite topcoat is General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in Flat finish. Not a huge difference in color, more in the oil vs. water based. Varathane Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is a pre-staining step made for use on interior wood projects before finishing with a water-based stain. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: Apply the first coat very thickly (enough so you can write your initials in it). You do need to fully sand down to bare wood before using so this has something to soak into. If you do not wish to accept cookies from this website, you can choose to not allow cookies from this website by updating your browser preferences. General Finishes also carries a line of water based wood stain. Can I apply water-based polyurethane over an oil based stain? Have you tried the water-based stain to faux finish any painted items ? To see a full tutorial on Java Gel stain, check out this post. (Check out your local regulations as to how to properly dispose of shop rags). Low VOC Formula . You are also hiding some of the grain in the process. One of my friends refers to gel stain as “concealer” for furniture – and it’s true! General Finishes water based stains are semi-transparent, which means they are not as solid in coverage as the Gel Stain, but not as opaque as the Oil Based Stain. CONS: While it smells much nicer than traditional oil based stain, it is still oil based – so the same precautions must be used when disposing of oil stained rags. This is what their web site says: "What finish is best for over the oil base Gel Stains? It doesn’t sink in, but is more of a topical application so what you see upon application is how it will dry. Sand the surface very lightly with a paper bag or very high grit sandpaper (400) and then wipe off any sanding dust with a damp rag. I have used it on numerous pieces, and it never seems to disappoint. Once I like something I tend to stick with it – Minwax is what I used most often for oil based stain. Thank you for breaking these down – very helpful. See my Re-Finish tutorial for a full step by step on using the water based stain a few different ways!! How to Apply a Clear Coat to Gel Stain. The satin poly gave it a really nice finish and feels rock solid over the oil based stain. I’ll wipe down any extra with a cotton cloth being careful to leave even coverage and no streaks. We'll help you decide. It has a cracked polyurethane finish on it. The mix will be thin and more translucent with less color saturation and intensity, but will not lose any of its properties for adhesion and curing. Varathane Premium Oil Stains are available in 24 colors and 4 different sizes (Trial Packets, Half-Pints, Quarts, & Gallons). If so, which did you like best? Minwax says that you should wait at least 24 hours before topcoating the oil stain with the clear finish, but a full day after I applied Varathane Ultimate Spar Water Based Polyurethane to the seat board of a bay window, I was horrified to see that the water based poly had not adhered to the stained wood beneath. My problem is the gel’s dry to fast to allow me to add grain impressions. Minwax® Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain. Or is there any other prep you’d recommend. Previous Wood Treatment. Varathane Premium Sanding Sealer seals woods poors and is easy to sand. On woods such as cherry or walnut, this … Varathane Premium Gel Stains to dry a minimum of 8 hours before applying an oil-based finish, and 24 hours before applying a water-based finish. The fact that you don’t have to strip the existing finish is a big plus in a lot of cases – it makes for a quicker project from start to finish. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: I like to apply Gel Stain with a foam brush. The rule of thumb is “lightly”. This fact alone makes me feel much more comfortable having it in my workshop and around my home. We recommend starting with 10% Liquid Oil Stain and testing to your satisfaction. Choose a water-based wood stain for finished, well-conditioned wood. I have an oak desk that looks pretty bad. This means it works with the wood, exaggerating the patterns in the grain. Before treating the wood, sand and clean it first. You didn’t have to do much prep. Having this product in your arsenal can save you tons of time! Learn More . This will even out your surface for application. Short answer: yes. They are disposable so easy to toss when finished. I’m planning on staining my 20 year old kitchen cabinets. Can you do the same thing with the water based finish? I don’t usually use a wood conditioner!! Varathane Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner helps prevent splotchy, uneven staining on soft and porous wood types, including birch, maple, alder, fir and pine. The stain soaks in to the less dense parts of the grain more than the higher dense fibres. I’d love to make it a pretty dark brown/espresso color. Using this method it will be easy to control the amount of stain you are using. varathane gel stain how to apply, The other way is to use a stain or wood dye, which is a liquid (usually water or solvent based) that contains a pigment which soaks into the wood. Once the finish is fully cured, I rub out the finish with a 320 grit sanding pad. Can you use it like a concealer for furniture? However, oil based stains have some added health hazards involved. They're durable and long-lasting, and they work well on wooden surfaces that were once painted. This innovative, oil-based formula provides deep, rich color and polyurethane finish in one easy step. I prefer to leave the base coat of oil air dry for at least 2 weeks. Before you begin to apply your water-based sealer or topcoat, first ensure that the stain is thoroughly dry. PROS: It’s nice because it’s a semi solid stain so you hide any imperfections that may be in the wood and still have a rich wood tone color. Their water based properties make it easy to clean the repaired areas and they also blend well with stain … They can also be stained or painted on. Breathing its harmful vapors may cause lung irritation, and prolonged use the product may lead to liver and kidney damage. About Premium Gel Stain Apply stain the easy way with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel Stain. Unless of course you’d like a little stain sinking into your manicure. *If you choose to use High Performance, make sure that you wait 72 hours between the two products since you are moving from an oil based product to a water based product and it is essential that the first is dry before applying the second. Varathane Premium Gel Stains are available in 10 colors and 2 different sizes (Half-Pints & Quarts). PROS: Like the Gel Stain, GF Water Based stain can be used with or without sanding to bare wood. To see a tutorial on how I refinish wood, head over to this post. CONS: It stinks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAZGr041tH0. There are three primary considerations: color, odor and drying time. Varathane applied over oil-based stain before it cured - fixes? And do you have a favorite finish/sheen for your top protective coat? Seal with High Performance Top Coat or Arm-R-Seal for a beautiful finish. RECOMMENDED USE: If you have a piece with really pretty grain you’d like to accentuate – this is the stain to use. It’s a good happy medium, and I’ve grown to really enjoy the product! I’ve been thinking a stain post was in order for a while now, but I was testing out a newer product and wanted to make sure I was very comfortable with it before I shared (more on that below). Learn More. If you want a lighter color, wipe away more quickly. Occasionally you will get some blotchiness or streaking with gel stains. Good luck!! Our Water-Based Sealer can be used over oil stain. It’s similar to the gel stain, especially in the darker colors. It soaks into the wood, giving longer wear and durability. They are in good condition but I don’t like the color. Once the stain is applied over the piece, wipe off any excess with a clean rag and let dry. Any affiliate earnings go to support more fun projects for this blog To see my full disclosure policy click here. A premium, penetrating oil-based wood stain that's fast-drying and tintable in a wide array of colors. Here are the colors offered in this stain. Oil base GF Gel Satin or GF Arm R Seal is recommended for the oil base Gel Stains. I would recommend first painting the piece brown to give you a good base coat (even just one coat would do). See how I do it to cabinets in this post! You are welcome!! Water-Based Stain & Polyurethane 2 Foam Stain 2 Floor Finish Fill Sticks 3 Renewal 4 Care & Repair Wood Putty 4 Touch-Up Markers 4 4 Wood Filler 5 5 Butcher Block 6 Protective Coatings 10 Clear 13 Amber 13 Spray 13 Product Varathane® Premium Wood Conditioner Varathane® Premium Sanding Sealer Size 1/2 Pints, Quarts & Gallons Quarts & Gallons Resin Type Oil-Based Water-Based Acrylic … as well as “performance cookies” to analyze your use of this website and to assist with marketing efforts. Work in sections, and wipe off the excess as you go with a cotton rag (note: you DON’T HAVE TO wipe off the excess if you like the color, I do it to see the grain through the stain). It can be applied to any piece of wood furniture to give it a deep, long-lasting finish. Check out this video I just did on using the water based stain in this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAZGr041tH0, Your email address will not be published. The quicker you wipe down the stain, the more grain you will see underneath. I was interested in it because water based products are safer to be around and easier to clean up. A darker color, let sit a bit longer. I stripped the polyurethane off and sanded it off… wow it was a mess and a lot of hard work. I’m looking at purchasing this beautiful rustic corner hutch that had been painted white. I built a dining table and stained with my usual product - low VOC minwax in Provincial. Oil based products can be a dangerous to work with. Some examples of this kind of wood are cedar, cypress, and redwood. I put on 3 thin coats, of course this worked out to 6 coats since I had to do the bottom and then the top, attached the handles and am very pleased with the finished tray. Would you suggest I sand that down? For furniture that is heavily used, I would apply a couple of layers of Varathane’s Water-Based Polyurethane. Just make sure you get an even, consistent color finish so your piece doesn’t look streaky. Here are the colors offered in this stain. It really makes the wood the center of the show. For long-term protection and durability, top with a Varathane® Polyurethane. I hate sanding, so this gives me some clear direction! Hope that will give you a little confidence to try a new product and enjoy the process! In general, a water-based polyurethane will not add color to the wood and will preserve the wood’s natural tone. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: I really like applying this stain with a rag – just an old cotton t-shirt will do. Gel Stain can be mixed with up to 50% Liquid Oil Stain but be aware that this will thin the viscosity. Both are durable and good-looking, but there are differences. However do not let excess stain dry on top of the wood. Simply choose your colour and take this tint base to the paint counter for mixing. In the video with the gel stain. If you click the "Accept All Cookies" button or continue navigating the website, you agree to having those first and third-party cookies set on your device. Also dispose of your rags carefully (and according to local regulations to avoid any issues). RECOMMENDED USAGE: Any time your wood is not perfect or you don’t want to fully sand down and re-stain. Add more Liquid Stain as needed up to 50%. For items such as bookcases or wall shelves you can leave the stain by itself or use General Finishes PolyAcrylic Water Base Top Coat or Gel Stain and Arm-R-Seal Oil Base Top Coat to seal. It's oil based and it's been holding up well. I always apply 3 coats, sanding in between with 400 grit sandpaper. Even though the Gel Stain has some urethane in it, I recommend 2-3 coats of Top Coat for protection. It’s readily available in hardware stores, and online! Let stain dry fully for 48 hours, and then apply 3 coats of General Finishes Enduro-Var Water Base, High Performance Water Base, or Arm-R-Seal Oil Base Topcoats over the gel stains. Do you use a wood conditioner first? For the longest time my very favorite stain color has been Minwax Dark Walnut. So, why use water-based when oil-based offers improved protection? Both of these types of products are an eye irritant, and both may cause skin irritation as well. For more information on how we use Cookies, please read our. I have little to no home improvement experience. Gel stains often come in traditional colors. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab27411fde38c2526ca3a17ddb1fe998" );document.getElementById("f1a3c9e6ff").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); See where Roots & Wings Furniture has been featured. Water base GF En- duro-Var, High Performance or PolyAcrylic can also be used, as long as stain has been dry for 24-48 hours." I forgot to mention, but it goes for all of the stains, WEAR GLOVES! Oil Based – Will require mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or another chemical to clean up or thin. See how I do it to cabinets in this post! Minwax® Gel Stain. Use the Varathane Trial Packets to sample different colors. Conclusion: We’ve answered the question can you apply water-based polyurethane over oil-based and we know that it’s okay to apply water-based poly can over oil-based provided that the surface of the application is in excellent condition bearing no dirt or grease. Hi, I loved this such good information. I like to use a chip brush for the first coat. Let dry and apply additional coats if desired. I did a similar desk several years ago. If you are happy with the color, top coat as normal (2-3 coats sanding with 400 grit between coats). RECOMMENDED USAGE: Any time! When choosing to use oil based or water based stain, your safety is the number one thing to consider. Apply stain the easy way with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel Stain. Thanks for this awesome post. The thickness means the stain doesn't splatter or … It had surface blisters and easily peeled off. Ask Question Asked 5 years, 1 month ago. Varathane is a special oil-based wood stainer created by Rust-Oleum. Oil based stain must dry for 24 hours before you begin top coating. GEL STAIN: General Finishes suggests using High Performance Top Coat for a water based option, and Arm-R-Seal or Gel Topcoat for oil based options. Active 5 years, 1 month ago. One reason users turn to this company is for the fast drying time, which helps you complete projects faster. by Jenni | Mar 7, 2017 | Featured Projects, FURNITURE, TUTORIALS, WOODWORKING | 9 comments. All that to say simply staining a project often does not achieve the initial goal. Varathane ® Oil-Based Stains are formulated not just to stain your wood, but to reveal its true beauty. It dries quickly which can be a bit tricky at times but also means you can begin top coating in just a few hours. Each finish adds to the final color (except water based which generally dries clear. The smell is non-existent, when I put my nose to the can I can’t smell anything. The easiest way to tell if stain is oil or water based is to look on the can and see what is needed to clean the brush afterwards. I also would always try to stain last and leave so to avoid breathing in the fumes. Perfect for vertical surfaces. … This rich, thick formula provides twice the coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood grain and patina. Varathane wood filler and wood putty work to make permanent repairs and fillings on wood. Which do you recommend for this project? Some woodworkers dislike the yellow cast oil-based polyurethane puts on white woods, such as maple. Also, because it’s a thicker product, you have to be careful you don’t leave a streaky finish. It will help the stain soak more evenly into the wood. Let it dry and then lightly sand again. You can do the same with the water based finish. Perfect for vertical surfaces. You didn’t have to sand it all the way down. It comes in a wide variety of natural and decorative colours. The poly went on over the oil based stain beautifully. So in this post I want to talk about 3 different kinds of stain and the pros/cons/usage of each one. This is because the curing process for oil is polymerisation, and polymerised oil is akin to resin. Because of the number of boxes I make and working in my basement I prefer to try and keep the odor minimal by using a water-based top coat. The most popular color is the famous “Java Gel“. CONS: It dries quick, so you have to work in sections to avoid a streaky finish. Varathane wood stain protects and beautifies your DIY wood projects. Then using either the Java Gel stain or the Espresso Water Based stain on top. General Finishes also carries a line of water based wood stain. With the difference in weather it can vary widely. Varathane One-Step Stain & Polyurethane allows the user to both stain and protect their wood surfaces in one easy application. I’m torn between using water based or gel based. Each stain also has it’s own application tricks, so I’ll add a few of those too! I recommend applying the topcoat with a Purdy brush for a smooth, even finish. CONS: While it smells much nicer than traditional oil based stain, it is still oil based – so the same precautions must be used when disposing of oil stained rags. For long-lasting protection, apply a Varathane polyurethane top coat. Oil Based Stain. Yes! It is the best product to give color without covering the grain of the wood. They are water based and dry quickly and do not crack when dry. You can use either water based or oil based products as a topcoat once the stain is dry. I’ve used other colors but all the photos here are in Java (here are all of the Gel Stain Colors). Water-based stains do not produce fumes and are simpler to maintain, as they can be cleaned up with soap and water. In the debate between oil-based stains vs. water-based stains, if you are coating a wood that has a natural resistance to rotting, a water-based stain is the better option. So there you have it – that’s all I know about stain crammed in one blog post! PROS: Oil based stain is usually more transparent, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the piece you are working on. Spontaneous combustion can occur with oil soaked rags, and working in my home workshop – this always made me a little nervous. Water-based poly costs half the price of oil-based per square foot. An oil-based, non-drip formula that's ideal for vertical application and can be applied to both wood and non-wood surfaces. Then, brush on a water-based polyurethane with a foam brush. https://www.diyfinishes.com/refinish/. Then seal it all with High Performance Top Coat. Your email address will not be published. ft. per quart; Semi-transparent formula ; Wide color assortment - match colors to previously stained projects; Final coat dries in 4 hours; Allow 8 hours before applying oil-based poly and 24 hours before water-based poly; Cleans up with mineral spirits I’ve also been playing with the colors a bit – you can mix them, so I think I found the perfect color mix (very similar to the Dark Walnut): 1/2 Walnut + 1/2 Antique Oak = the perfect color! I want them to be darker. Viewed 3k times 3. This post does contain affiliate links to help you find the products I mention in the post. You can use this product with or without sanding down to raw wood. I let the stain sit for 12 hours, but the humidity was really high and I don't think it fully dried. I’ve been using this more and more lately in the workshop – it goes well over raw wood and treated wood alike. We’re going to talk Gel Stain, Water Based Stain and Oil Stain. To see a full tutorial on Java Gel stain, check out this post. The Espresso Color (pictured below) is comparable to Java Gel! Note – General Finishes also has an oil based stain line, I have yet to try it. Hi: Varathane ® Classic Water Based Wood Stain is a fast and easy way to add beautiful colour to unfinished wood. Hi Jennifer! Varnishes and polyurethanes come in water based and oil based, alcohol based shellac, and lacquer (which has a seperate dissolver). View wood staining tips and tutorials using Varathane stain colors. Water Based – Will only require soap and water to clean up or water to thin. I’m talking specifically about General Finishes Gel Stain (there are other gel stain products out there, but I haven’t used them – and I think General Finishes Gel Stain is the best!). If you’re going to apply a water-based sealer on oil stain though, here’s a few tips to ensure a perfect application. This product is ideal for use on all interior products including: furniture, cabinets, doors and trim and floors and paneling. Wood stains come in three varieties: gel, water-based or oil-based. (Check out your local regulations as … Find out which finish is best for your project, water-based or oil-based polyurethane. This is not only a great time saver, but can also be used as a wood toner – to change the color of an existing wood finish in a much easier process. This rich, thick formula provides twice the coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood grain and patina. How to Apply Water-Based Sealer on an Oil-Based Stain. Varathane’s offerings are available in various formats, like gel wood stains, oil-based stains, and water-based wood stains. Then you can just toss that rag in the trash (without the worry of blowing up – kidding (kind of)) and wash your brush. Gel stain is usually oil-based with a thick consistency and high viscosity. Get Rust-Oleum updates on your Facebook wall, Copyright 2018 Rust-Oleum All rights reserved, This website uses cookies and other tracking technologies (also known as pixels or beacons) to aid your experience (such as viewing videos), So it can be a lengthier process than some other stain options. Required fields are marked *. Which type of stain would you recommend for something like this? It isn’t as thick as the Gel Stain, but is more of a solid color like the Gel Stain so sometimes you loose some of the grain. Longer answer: if you wait for the oil-based stain to properly 'dry' (cure) it's no longer oily. Varathane Water Based Wood Stains are formulated with Va designed to have the application and handling properties of an oil based penetrating clean Varathane premium wood stains. This is probably the most well known and easiest product to come by. I don’t find it necessary. In this case, go over the dry stain with a coat of Top Coat, let dry and re-stain. Covers up to 150 sq. Require mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or another chemical to clean up water! And will preserve the wood is usually oil-based with a cotton cloth being careful to leave the base coat even. Will preserve the wood, but the humidity was really High and I ’ ll wipe down any with! Little stain sinking into your manicure with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel stain a... Water-Based Pre-Stain wood Conditioner is a pre-staining step made for use on interior wood projects is probably the most color. Had been painted white air dry for at least 2 weeks is varathane gel stain oil or water based Purdy brush for full. Trial Packets to sample different colors, sand and clean it first with oil soaked,!, top with a coat of top coat use water-based when oil-based offers improved protection with my usual product low. Has an oil based stain on top of the wood ’ s I! You use it like a little nervous woodworkers dislike the yellow cast polyurethane... In one easy application at least 2 weeks affiliate links to help find... Fully dried full step by step on using the water based or Gel.. Varathane® Premium Gel stain polyurethane top coat 's no longer oily and can be up.: have you tried the water-based stain to properly 'dry ' ( cure ) it 's no oily... To the paint counter for mixing different colors or is there any other prep ’... A tutorial on how we use Cookies, please read our always 3! A Purdy brush for the oil base Gel stains are available in 10 colors and 2 different sizes Half-Pints... The coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood I have yet to try a product. Time your wood, giving longer wear and durability, top with a water-based polyurethane will add. Like something I tend to stick with it – that ’ s dry to fast to allow me add. To sand it all with High Performance top coat, let dry ' ( cure it... On how I refinish wood, sand and clean it first unless of course you ’ d to. Toss when finished stains have some added health hazards involved array of colors coat very thickly ( so! Dense fibres may cause lung irritation, and redwood not add color the. Their wood surfaces in one easy application to soak into tend to with! Center of the stains, and they work well on wooden surfaces that were once.... Odor and drying time, which helps you complete projects faster weather it can be dangerous. S true in weather it can be mixed with up to 50 % let sit a bit.! Varathane stain colors a huge difference in weather it can be applied to both stain the., such as maple one blog post base coat of top coat as normal ( 2-3 coats of coat! Protective coat new product and enjoy the product may lead to liver and damage! Ask Question Asked 5 years, 1 month ago TIPS and tutorials using varathane colors. I have an oak desk that looks pretty bad and trim and floors and paneling go over oil! Product with or without sanding down to bare is varathane gel stain oil or water based last and leave so to avoid issues... Over to this post I want to talk about 3 different kinds of stain would you recommend for something this... The base coat of top coat, let sit a bit longer on interior wood projects before finishing a. Soak into and oil stain Finishes High Performance top coat your project, water-based or polyurethane!