Top coating Olympic gel stain

[Brian Hale]

The can says to use polyurethane as a top coat. Any reason lacquer, either WB or regular nitro can't be used?

Brian:)

[Jim Becker]

I could be wrong, but since gel stains sit on the top of the wood and are basically color in a binder, the NC lacquer might react with that binder...melt it, as it were. Water bourne should be fine, however, since the nasty solvent is missing.

[Steve Clardy]

Jims right about the solvent base lacquer possibly lifting the gel stain.
Wondering why you choose a gel stain instead of a oil base?

[Brian Hale]

Thanks guys!

I guess it's about time for me to try some WB lacquer since my shop is now in the basement and we're keeping the windows closed for the heat. The Hydrocte Pre Cat lacquer from Highland Hardware sounds promising, anyone tried it? I plan on spraying the finish.

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1212

Actually the customer chose the gel stain and used it on the rest of the stuff in his "office". I thought a gel stain might be a better match for these birch cabinets, no blotching, so i didn't try to talk him out of it. It's not to late though.....

Brian