Water based stain problems

[Wade Lippman]

For the first time I bought some Minwax water based stain. It started to dry as I was putting it on and there was no way to spread it out! I have used water based varnish before and haven't had this problem.
So, am I doing something wrong; is the Minwax junk, or is that just how water based stain is?

[Steve Schoene]

This is pretty much the way waterborne stain is. The only way to work this is to be able to deal with this stain is to be able to work VERY quickly--for large items using two people, one wiping off as the other applies. On smaller projects, apply with one hand, wipe off with the other. With really good skills you might be able to spray on, requiring very little wiping.

Frankly, the best solution is to stick with oil based stain. Time to work, rich colors, material that you could even make by your self.