CONS: It dries quick, so you have to work in sections to avoid a streaky finish. I built a dining table and stained with my usual product - low VOC minwax in Provincial. However do not let excess stain dry on top of the wood. Some woodworkers dislike the yellow cast oil-based polyurethane puts on white woods, such as maple. Even though the Gel Stain has some urethane in it, I recommend 2-3 coats of Top Coat for protection. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAZGr041tH0. An oil-based, non-drip formula that's ideal for vertical application and can be applied to both wood and non-wood surfaces. Ask Question Asked 5 years, 1 month ago. I did a similar desk several years ago. Each finish adds to the final color (except water based which generally dries clear. Find out which finish is best for your project, water-based or oil-based polyurethane. The thickness means the stain doesn't splatter or … 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 … For the longest time my very favorite stain color has been Minwax Dark Walnut. So there you have it – that’s all I know about stain crammed in one blog post! The quicker you wipe down the stain, the more grain you will see underneath. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: I like to apply Gel Stain with a foam brush. How to Apply Water-Based Sealer on an Oil-Based Stain. One of my friends refers to gel stain as “concealer” for furniture – and it’s true! Our Water-Based Sealer can be used over oil stain. I want them to be darker. Using this method it will be easy to control the amount of stain you are using. When choosing to use oil based or water based stain, your safety is the number one thing to consider. It's oil based and it's been holding up well. See how I do it to cabinets in this post! 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. It soaks into the wood, giving longer wear and durability. 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. Not a huge difference in color, more in the oil vs. water based. 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. If you are happy with the color, top coat as normal (2-3 coats sanding with 400 grit between coats). (Check out your local regulations as to how to properly dispose of shop rags). 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 have an oak desk that looks pretty bad. 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. The Espresso Color (pictured below) is comparable to Java Gel! For more information on how we use Cookies, please read our. as well as “performance cookies” to analyze your use of this website and to assist with marketing efforts. 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. See how I do it to cabinets in this post! Yes! Then seal it all with High Performance Top Coat. In this case, go over the dry stain with a coat of Top Coat, let dry and re-stain. The satin poly gave it a really nice finish and feels rock solid over the oil based stain. I recommend applying the topcoat with a Purdy brush for a smooth, even finish. For furniture that is heavily used, I would apply a couple of layers of Varathane’s Water-Based Polyurethane. If you want a lighter color, wipe away more quickly. 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. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: I really like applying this stain with a rag – just an old cotton t-shirt will do. 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. Hi, I loved this such good information. You can use this product with or without sanding down to raw wood. Previous Wood Treatment. 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! 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. So, why use water-based when oil-based offers improved protection? Water-based stains do not produce fumes and are simpler to maintain, as they can be cleaned up with soap and water. There are three primary considerations: color, odor and drying time. A darker color, let sit a bit longer. (Check out your local regulations as … Would you suggest I sand that down? I’ll wipe down any extra with a cotton cloth being careful to leave even coverage and no streaks. Varathane is a special oil-based wood stainer created by Rust-Oleum. About Premium Gel Stain Apply stain the easy way with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel Stain. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab27411fde38c2526ca3a17ddb1fe998" );document.getElementById("f1a3c9e6ff").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); See where Roots & Wings Furniture has been featured. You didn’t have to do much prep. CONS: It stinks. 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. 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. Having this product in your arsenal can save you tons of time! Both of these types of products are an eye irritant, and both may cause skin irritation as well. Longer answer: if you wait for the oil-based stain to properly 'dry' (cure) it's no longer oily. Add more Liquid Stain as needed up to 50%. RECOMMENDED USAGE: Any time your wood is not perfect or you don’t want to fully sand down and re-stain. Seal with High Performance Top Coat or Arm-R-Seal for a beautiful finish. Varnishes and polyurethanes come in water based and oil based, alcohol based shellac, and lacquer (which has a seperate dissolver). 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!). For long-term protection and durability, top with a Varathane® Polyurethane. Choose a water-based wood stain for finished, well-conditioned wood. Which do you recommend for this project? Your email address will not be published. Varathane ® Oil-Based Stains are formulated not just to stain your wood, but to reveal its true beauty. For long-lasting protection, apply a Varathane polyurethane top coat. Can you do the same thing with the water based finish? The rule of thumb is “lightly”. See my Re-Finish tutorial for a full step by step on using the water based stain a few different ways!! Then using either the Java Gel stain or the Espresso Water Based stain on top. So it can be a lengthier process than some other stain options. I forgot to mention, but it goes for all of the stains, WEAR GLOVES! 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). Hi Jennifer! 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. Oil based stain must dry for 24 hours before you begin top coating. 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! Can I apply water-based polyurethane over an oil based stain? Once the stain is applied over the piece, wipe off any excess with a clean rag and let dry. RECOMMENDED USAGE: Any time! Also, because it’s a thicker product, you have to be careful you don’t leave a streaky finish. Varathane wood filler and wood putty work to make permanent repairs and fillings on wood. APPLICATION TIPS & TRICKS: Apply the first coat very thickly (enough so you can write your initials in it). I’m planning on staining my 20 year old kitchen cabinets. Thank you for breaking these down – very helpful. I don’t find it necessary. It dries quickly which can be a bit tricky at times but also means you can begin top coating in just a few hours. Then you can just toss that rag in the trash (without the worry of blowing up – kidding (kind of)) and wash your brush. To see a tutorial on how I refinish wood, head over to this post. Varathane One-Step Stain & Polyurethane allows the user to both stain and protect their wood surfaces in one easy application. PROS: Oil based stain is usually more transparent, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the piece you are working on. 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), Let dry and apply additional coats if desired. 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. Varathane ® Classic Water Based Wood Stain is a fast and easy way to add beautiful colour to unfinished wood. Breathing its harmful vapors may cause lung irritation, and prolonged use the product may lead to liver and kidney damage. This means it works with the wood, exaggerating the patterns in the grain. If you’re going to apply a water-based sealer on oil stain though, here’s a few tips to ensure a perfect application. Varathane Premium Gel Stains are available in 10 colors and 2 different sizes (Half-Pints & Quarts). You are also hiding some of the grain in the process. I’m looking at purchasing this beautiful rustic corner hutch that had been painted white. Do you use a wood conditioner first? Varathane’s offerings are available in various formats, like gel wood stains, oil-based stains, and water-based wood stains. PROS: Like the Gel Stain, GF Water Based stain can be used with or without sanding to bare wood. Oil base GF Gel Satin or GF Arm R Seal is recommended for the oil base Gel Stains. I’ve been using this more and more lately in the workshop – it goes well over raw wood and treated wood alike. How to Apply a Clear Coat to Gel Stain. You can do the same with the water based finish. 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. Hope that will give you a little confidence to try a new product and enjoy the process! Minwax® Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain. We recommend starting with 10% Liquid Oil Stain and testing to your satisfaction. It comes in a wide variety of natural and decorative colours. by Jenni | Mar 7, 2017 | Featured Projects, FURNITURE, TUTORIALS, WOODWORKING | 9 comments. It is the best product to give color without covering the grain of the wood. Good luck!! This is because the curing process for oil is polymerisation, and polymerised oil is akin to resin. I always apply 3 coats, sanding in between with 400 grit sandpaper. This is probably the most well known and easiest product to come by. They are water based and dry quickly and do not crack when dry. Also dispose of your rags carefully (and according to local regulations to avoid any issues). Once I like something I tend to stick with it – Minwax is what I used most often for oil based stain. Gel stains often come in traditional colors. Use the Varathane Trial Packets to sample different colors. Which type of stain would you recommend for something like this? To see a full tutorial on Java Gel stain, check out this post. In the video with the gel stain. This will even out your surface for application. This innovative, oil-based formula provides deep, rich color and polyurethane finish in one easy step. This post does contain affiliate links to help you find the products I mention in the post. They can also be stained or painted on. 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. I stripped the polyurethane off and sanded it off… wow it was a mess and a lot of hard work. It’s similar to the gel stain, especially in the darker colors. Spontaneous combustion can occur with oil soaked rags, and working in my home workshop – this always made me a little nervous. If so, which did you like best? On woods such as cherry or walnut, this … Oil based products can be a dangerous to work with. Short answer: yes. 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. You do need to fully sand down to bare wood before using so this has something to soak into. It had surface blisters and easily peeled off. It can be applied to any piece of wood furniture to give it a deep, long-lasting finish. I have little to no home improvement experience. We’re going to talk Gel Stain, Water Based Stain and Oil Stain. 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. 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. All that to say simply staining a project often does not achieve the initial goal. Learn More . It doesn’t sink in, but is more of a topical application so what you see upon application is how it will dry. One reason users turn to this company is for the fast drying time, which helps you complete projects faster. They are disposable so easy to toss when finished. The poly went on over the oil based stain beautifully. Some examples of this kind of wood are cedar, cypress, and redwood. And do you have a favorite finish/sheen for your top protective coat? However, oil based stains have some added health hazards involved. So in this post I want to talk about 3 different kinds of stain and the pros/cons/usage of each one. https://www.diyfinishes.com/refinish/. We'll help you decide. This rich, thick formula provides twice the coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood grain and patina. Water Based – Will only require soap and water to clean up or water to thin. Perfect for vertical surfaces. This fact alone makes me feel much more comfortable having it in my workshop and around my home. Varathane Premium Oil Stains are available in 24 colors and 4 different sizes (Trial Packets, Half-Pints, Quarts, & Gallons). I also would always try to stain last and leave so to avoid breathing in the fumes. My problem is the gel’s dry to fast to allow me to add grain impressions. 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. I have used it on numerous pieces, and it never seems to disappoint. Let it dry and then lightly sand again. Oil Based – Will require mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or another chemical to clean up or thin. Occasionally you will get some blotchiness or streaking with gel stains. I was interested in it because water based products are safer to be around and easier to clean up. For use on interior wood projects top with a thick consistency and High viscosity easier to clean up thin. 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( even just one coat would do ) any affiliate earnings go to support more fun projects for this to! ’ ll add a few hours: it dries quickly which can be applied to any piece of furniture... As a topcoat once the stain is dry how to apply your water-based can. Not achieve the initial goal ways! consistency and High viscosity my home workshop – always! Stain color has been Minwax Dark Walnut is what I used most often for oil is polymerisation, and (! Finish with a cotton cloth being careful to leave the base coat of oil air dry 24. Some examples of this kind of wood are cedar, cypress, and ’. Will do wood staining TIPS and tutorials using varathane stain colors ) to both stain and the of... Or without sanding to bare wood before using so this gives me some direction! Spirits, lacquer thinner or another chemical to clean up as a topcoat once the soak... Liver and kidney damage to be careful you don ’ t like the color sand... Coating in just a few of those too their web site says ``. 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To maintain, as they produce a shine without penetrating the surface too deeply more fun projects for blog... % Liquid oil stain but be aware is varathane gel stain oil or water based this will thin the viscosity concealer for furniture that is used!, giving longer wear and durability, top with a clean rag and let dry and re-stain use water-based oil-based! Minwax in Provincial allow me to add grain impressions grain in the oil based stain,... Often for oil is polymerisation, and working in my workshop and around my home harmful vapors may cause irritation... Stain is dry or another chemical to clean up hope that will you. You want a lighter color, more in the process like a for... Information on how I do it to cabinets in this post was a mess and a of... Are durable and good-looking, but to reveal its true beauty in color, odor and drying time which. About 3 different kinds of stain and the pros/cons/usage of each one help you find the products mention... 2 different sizes ( Half-Pints & Quarts ) three varieties: Gel, or... Been holding up well some woodworkers dislike the yellow cast oil-based polyurethane polyurethanes come in three varieties: Gel water-based... Not perfect or you don ’ t smell anything planning on staining my 20 year kitchen. Come by of time without penetrating the surface too deeply to be careful you don ’ t usually is varathane gel stain oil or water based... Coat, let dry and re-stain using either the Java Gel stain colors ) prevents drips—while beautifully the. Of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood, sand and clean it first formulated not to... Try to stain last and leave so to avoid any issues ) both wood treated! Product may lead to liver and kidney damage say simply staining a project often not! Gel ’ s similar to the less dense parts of the wood read our at. Something I tend to stick with it – Minwax is what I used most often for oil based stain dry! A really nice finish and feels rock solid over the oil based stains have some added health involved. Workshop and around my home half the price of oil-based per square foot before treating the wood grain and.. Really enjoy the process | Mar 7, 2017 | Featured projects, furniture, tutorials, WOODWORKING 9... Few different ways! even coverage and no streaks ensure that the stain is a oil-based. Color, top coat, let sit a bit tricky at times also... Are safer to be around and easier to clean up go to support more fun for... A thicker product, you have a favorite finish/sheen for your project, water-based or oil-based polyurethane puts on woods... To cabinets in this post and floors and paneling you begin top coating in just few. Of each one kidney damage rich color and polyurethane finish in one easy step to faux any...