Can I Use a Gel Stain Over an Oil Stain?
- Because they are thick, with a consistency like mayonnaise, gel stains are easy to work with on vertical surfaces like doors and paneling. Gel stain can also be used as a faux glaze for antiquing or giving character to furniture and cabinets, and can be used with a wood-graining tool to achieve a faux wood grain effect on non-wood surfaces, according to Susan Brimo-Cox, writing in the January/February 2004 issue of PaintPRO Magazine.
- Some woodworkers and painters think that gel stain can obscure or "muddy" trim because it doesn't penetrate, but rather coats, the surface. Like all semi-transparent stains, it also allows the underlying color to show through. Wood that has already been stained with oil stain may already be darker, and the underlying color will affect the gel stain color. You may want to experiment with thinning the gel stain with mineral spirits for a more transparent look. Read the label directions; not all gel stains can be thinned. If at all possible, experiment with how you dilute the gel stain, and how long you leave it on before wiping it off. The longer it stays on the surface before you wipe off the excess, the more saturated the final color will be.
- The wood should be lightly sanded and clean before applying the gel stain. If the previous oil-based stain was varnished or lacquered, use a sanding sponge or 120-grit sandpaper to completely dull the surface. Since gel stain coats instead of penetrating, it must be applied to a dull surface, so it will adhere and not peel or scratch off.
Once it has dried for about eight hours, you can protect it with a clear sealer or varnish. Note that drying time depends on many variables, including temperature and humidity. In very cool, or very humid, conditions, stain can take 24 hours or more to dry completely.
