So be patient, and wait it out. Do not sand the last coat before topcoat though. Gel Stains can be used to glaze, distress, OR create faux finishes! Wipe down the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth. Outdoors is best. Make any adjustments to the finish before then. Old finishes in poor condition must be removed. It’s recommended to let the gel stain dry for 72 hours before top-coating so I haven’t top coated these doors yet because I wanted to get the post out to you. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Apply when temperatures are between 50-90°F (10-38°C) and the relative humidity less than 85%. Would gel stain work in white or should I just keep with the Sherwin Williams white paint I have already purchased. Remember to flip the wood over if you need to in order to cover sides you couldn't finish earlier. Don’t wait too long! On bare wood apply the stain across the grain until the wood is saturated on top. Because Gel Stain is thick, like a pudding or shoe polish, there’s no dripping. There are many different staining products you can choose when coloring wood, but most of them take a long time to dry. Filed Under: Blog, Home & Thrift Decor, Home Projects, How To Tips, Staining Furniture Tagged With: apply gel stain, apply gel stain to finished wood, gel stain application, gel stain over existing finish, how to. I think your post is the universe’s way of telling me to get started. There’s a video in that post so you can see it in action. You can't leave the area once the gel stain goes on. With a thicker formula than traditional stains, this gel stain develops rich colors and enhances wood grain for a beautiful patina and outstanding coverage. Just my 2cents, but I would go with the original plan with your SW White. Perfect for vertical surfaces. Depending on the temperature and humidity, gel stains can feel dry to the touch in 6-8 hours but you should give them a proper 24 hours to dry between each coat. I haven’t try Briwax. For these doors, I didn’t bother but if I were doing a dining table and wanted a perfectly smooth finish, sanding in-between is helpful. You can give it a VERY light sanding between coats with a finishing pad (320 grit or higher). I’m working with these doors propped up against my studio wall. Step 1 Remove any hardware from the door. . Then work with the grain to even out color. The idea behind a gel stain is to spread it onto the wood in a thick layer for a few minutes and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. (my least favorite way to use gel stains) With this type of stain, you don’t want to apply too thickly. Scuff sand the existing finish with a 120-220 grit sandpaper. Additional photos or text may be available with my written permission. . Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Apply a thin, even coat of Gel Stain to a section using a natural bristle brush or a soft, lint-free cloth. I love your work and would value your opinion. Varathane Premium Gel Stain is your solution for staining vertical surfaces without the mess of drips, runs or other common application issues. To get a consistent finish, let the Varathane sit for a couple of minutes, then wipe up the excess before beginning on the next section. STEP #5 Seal and protect the stain with a topcoat. Also, flip the wood to recoat any surfaces you couldn’t reach. Remember to let each application dry for an hour. Not sure. I agree with e setons you always give such wonderful detailed suggestions in an easy to understand format ty!! Thank you so much., Even though I have used gel stain before, I really didn’t understand it, You really cleared it up and the doors look great! Beautiful transformation! If you’re still not 100% happy, you can MIX Gel Stains or layer them. This rich, thick formula provides twice the coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood grain and patina. If you give it a try I’d love to hear how that bathroom vanity turns out for you. 4. Let stand for 2-5 minutes and wipe thanks for the idea and the tutorial! . https://salvagedinspirations.com/how-to-create-a-black-wash-paint-finish-painted-nightstands/. Keep the coating thin to avoid making the finish too dark. The top and drawers will be sanded and restained in the antique Walnut so I didn’t want two different browns happening, you know? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Last Updated: May 7, 2020 Get a varnish remover if you have a varnish finish, for instance. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. For instance, I tried Walnut and this Colonial Black and decided on the black. . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 5,869 times. Each one requires a specific product. Decided to try and stain a piano bench, I cleaned it really good and then sanded and wiped down again. Here’s what these doors looked like before. Method 2 - Brush Stain Brushing stain will apply a lot more stain than wiping. If you’re concerned about the stain looking too dark, you are better off removing as much of it as you can now. I’m Denise – lover of all things vintage, repurposed and restyled. I wasn’t sure about the Colonial Black either but once I tested it over the finish… I LOVED it! A deep, rich wood stain color plus a white paint over the top will look weathered after distressing. I hope I’ve inspired you to give them a try! To help clear coat layers adhere to one another, you could scrub them gently with a piece of 320-grit sandpaper. Gel Staining works amazing with outdated furniture, kitchen cabinets, stair rails, doors, or pretty much any finished wood you’ve been thinking of replacing. Enter your e-mail so you don't miss a thing! I did the same over the ugly orangey stain that used to be on several areas of our stairs…like magic!! Once you’ve decided on a color, open the can and give it a good stir. Perfect for vertical surfaces. Can you explain what black wash is? I always wait in anticipation for your emails – very detailed and well explained . For these doors, I was really pleased with just one coat! The sandpaper is somewhat rough, so don’t scrub too hard. Pros: It is easy to apply, convenient to use and doesn’t require much preparation work. BUT… it’s been like 5 hours and it still feels kinda sticky/damp to the touch… is this normal??? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Grab a cup of java and stay a while. Apply Varathane Premium Gel Stain liberally to the surface using a brush or lint-free cloth. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They can often be removed by sanding the wood along its grain. Can I apply a gel stain and let it absorb into the finish? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Wiping will allow you to control the evenness and depth of color being applied, as the more you wipe away, the lighter the color level of the stain. Create a weathered farmhouse-style finish with Varathane Wood Stain and Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint. Yes and yes. I like doing this by hand because nothing crazy is needed and sanders can be too harsh. Also can I use it in a raw wood or would it not have any benefit or would it react like a typical stain Apply a second coat in the same fashion as the first. Yes! Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Sign up to get your dose of Inspiration and DIY Furniture Painting Tips! To kick off the month, I’m sharing how Gel Stains can save you time, money, and effort… while updating ANY existing wood finish! Wipe off any sanding dust and skip the base coat. First apply stain going against the grain to fill in pores. To apply a second coat 6-8 hours is recommended because it is an oil-based product. We had been keeping the stain up and polyurethane on it. Let them dry for an hour or else the finish will get ruined when you flip the wood back over. Apply the stainer sparingly, since each layer darkens the finish. Note that you may need to let the product soak in for longer in order to fully soften the finish. Thin even layers give the best results. Varathane is a special oil-based wood stainer created by Rust-Oleum. Thanks, Arlene! The sediment is responsible for the stain’s coloring. or suggestion’s. I’m going to test some on our very old (and nice) pine paneling in our living room and entryway! HOW TO APPLY THE GEL STAIN Once you’ve decided on a color, open the can and give it a good stir. Patty, Hi Patty! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Apply-Varathane-Wood-Stain-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Apply-Varathane-Wood-Stain-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Apply-Varathane-Wood-Stain-Step-1.jpg\/aid11672480-v4-728px-Apply-Varathane-Wood-Stain-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":" \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Your doors look amazing with the dark stain. Rust-Oleum Varathane Gel Stain Buy from Amazon.com. After sanding, I remove all the dust with a tack cloth. This is exactly what I want to do to all of the doors in my house. 2. I'm so happy you dropped by! They are a time saver because you don’t have to strip and sand down to bare wood to start from scratch. It cuts down on the orange-yellow stain of these doors BUT I still don’t have a TRUE black stain. These surfaces will all need time to dry, too. And this is a great solution for orange oak cabinets. The dry time between the stain and wash might be a few days depending on how many coats/temp etc, but I know it will look great! Learn how your comment data is processed. But a topcoat would be required as kitchen cabinets are high traffic items and you want to keep them easy to clean. If you notice puddles forming, apply less of the Varathane. XOXO. Gel Stains can totally transform an existing finish so you can save $$$ on DIY rather than buying new cabinets or furniture. I’ve heard good things about their wax though. Apply stain the easy way with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel Stain. This is because unlike traditional stain, gel stains don’t penetrate the surface. I’m guessing the paint wash will lighten it up a little more with fewer coats tho. Gel Stains are an amazing way to save time, money, and effort. You might need to do this with a tabletop, for example. Hi Mindy! A Home Depot purchase. Mineral Spirits will help remove any mistakes on finished wood. . Varathane Premium Gel Stains are available in 10 colours and 2 different sizes (236mL and 946mL). You may not be able to finish a project in a single coat. To avoid breathing in anything dangerous, wear a dust mask when sanding or staining wood. I hope these hanging french doors inspire you to give it a try! Varathane Ultimate Wood Stain achieves results three times faster than using a conventional stain; Ideal for use on all interior wood projects such as furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, floors and paneling; Beautiful colour in one coat that dries in one hour; Size: 236 mL (8 fl. Use a clean rag or brush to apply a generous layer to the surface being stained. I have 20 year old oak kitchen cabinets, they are looking a little orangey. I was told that even if we had the door stripped and sanded down, any new stain would not look consistent from top to bottom of the door. Be careful and scrub only along the wood’s grain to avoid scratches. If you are applying it in layers, and not wiping away, you will want to apply it similarly to how you would apply a poly product. This rich, thick formula provides twice the coverage of traditional oil-based stains—and prevents drips—while beautifully enhancing the wood grain and patina. Okay….getting ready to paint our natural maple finish cabinets white. . Varathane Standard Stains. You can get supplies online or from most hardware stores. First, be sure to stir the gel stain well. For example, pull out drawers and detach table legs. Apply on bare wood only. You can protect most surfaces by covering them with painter’s tape if necessary. Denise, I LOVE this idea. Do you think deglossing it, then staining with Antique Walnut gel by GF before the black wash would work? These places also have Varathane and anything else you might need. I just finished re-staining these french hanging doors. Once the stain is dry, apply the topcoat of your choice. Gel stain is applied to the surface of the wood but not rubbed-in like traditional stains; the application is more comparable to painting on multiple thin layers. Your email address will not be published. Haven’t been motivated to start the doors because, as I said, ALL the doors. Allow it to dry and lightly sand it with a 400-grit sandpaper. About Gel Stain Apply stain the easy way with Rust-Oleum® Varathane® Premium Gel Stain. Hmm, not sure Sharon. • Apply gel stains liberally with a cotton cloth, pad, brush, or Handi Painter applicator. I would test on the very top or bottom before I tackled the entire thing, but I think it would work just fine. Gel Stains colors can be mixed together OR you can layer them. It’s also a good idea to prep your area …and yourself! This is totally up to you. Yes! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Ideal for vertical surfaces; Thicker consistency to prevent drips Happy Tuesday! Many experienced woodworkers find using a cloth to be easier and claim that it leads to a better finish. It sure can! I have spent the last 2 years getting rid of the 90’s orange (cabinets, trim, closet doors). Most regular vacuums won’t work, but shop vacuums are able to trap even fine dust particles. And yes, you can use it on raw wood like I did here. The can recommends 6-8 hours, but in my experience that is not always enough time and applying a topcoat too early before the stain has cured can take off the color in certain places and ruin the finish. Wipe off the excess after 5 minutes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Can you believe it’s already November?! 6. If it isn’t well-mixed, it could cause the stain to appear uneven later. Hi Denise! You want to slightly scuff the existing finish but you don’t want to scratch the finish because Gel Stain does not cover scratches or imperfections. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Gel stain is easy to apply but it sets fast. Ideal for vertical surfaces I LOVE sharing... that's why I blog! I have a darker stain with the warm undertones showing through which reminds me of a Dark Walnut. oz.) This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. 1. If it’s applied too heavy or unevenly, you want to wipe it back and even it out for a beautiful uniform finish. Step 2 Lay the door out on a canvas in a suitable work area. You can apply it with a natural bristle brush, foam brush or cotton rag (this last one being my favorite way). Apply in the direction of the grain you intend to create. :) Read More…. Before treating the wood, sand and clean it first. If you’re unsure, I suggest buying a few stains and testing them in an inconspicuous area of your project. 11. Your clients are lucky. Drop cloths to protect your floors and work area and good ventilation and masks are a good idea. Your idea is brilliant. To apply the gel stain over wood, follow the instructions below. Sand to obtain a smooth surface. , I didn’t know you could do this! Gel Stains are highly pigmented like a paint/stain combo and they do not sink into the wood but rather sit on top of it. For your hands and skin, you can use baby oil or ANY oil like vegetable oil or olive oil for your fingers and hands. I'm humbled and flattered when you share my work, so SHARE AWAY! . Yes. Any rough patches, swirls, or sanding marks could prevent the Varathane from soaking in evenly. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can apply a water-based topcoat over this oil-based stain but it MUST be 100% dry! window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us12.list-manage.com","uuid":"d40a70e381e7ccbcb08937ddb","lid":"9df365d62a","uniqueMethods":true}) }), Copyright © 2020 Salvaged Inspirations • All Rights Reserved. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. The paint becomes much thinner and it leaves a translucent finish showing some of the original finish peeking through. November 2, 2020 by Denise - 45 Comments. I’ve used Varathane, Minwax, General Finishes, and Dixie Belle but there are probably others I’m not aware of or haven’t tried yet. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. XOXO. I love the transformation. After it’s applied, wipe the stain back and smooth it out with the tool of your choice. Then work with the grain to even out color. To deal with a cushioned chair, for instance, place a plastic sheet over the upholstery. If you wiped off the excess, I’m sure it will dry but sometimes it takes a little longer depending ont the temp/humidity. Also, put on rubber gloves while handling Varathane to avoid discoloring your skin. For example, your finish could be varnish, lacquer, or something else. 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. 7. For these doors, I used an applicator pad and then a shop towel to get the look I liked. There are plenty of other wood staining products available.
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