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Thread: Thoughts on Gel Stains?

  1. #1

    Thoughts on Gel Stains?

    I'm sure many of you have used gel stains before. How well does it take to milled and sanded construction grade pine? Would I need a conditioner? I seems like I wouldn't but I don't know for sure. I'm obviously trying to avoid the blotching. I'll be using an ebony, so I'm not sure if it even matters.

    Thanks and Happy Thankgiving.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
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    Michael, since no one has chimed in yet, I’ll give you my limited experience. One of the benefits of gel stain is that it is a surface pigment, so theoretically it will minimize blotching and cover over varying coloration in the wood (sap vs heart wood). I would not think you would need a conditioner when using it, although I don’t think a conditioner will hurt. I’m not a fan of the stuff, as it can also hide grain. I have used it primarily like a glaze.

    As always, get some cut offs from your project and do some tests.

  3. #3
    My experience with it is also limited. I didn't need any conditioner on pine or poplar. But I really didn't like the look at all - it was sorta like paint. Might be I was just too dumb to figure out how to use it though, because many people love that stuff.

    If you are doing a black finish, another no-blotching way is to use India Ink. Buy it from an art supply or online.
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    The only time I used a gel stain, it completely obliterated the grain of the wood. That might not be such a bad thing if you are working with a wood that has unattractive grain but I will never use it again on pretty wood. A wood conditioner is unnecessary and would probably have no effect anyway in my experience.

    My advice is to always try a new finish type on scrap wood to make sure it is the look you want.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
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    New York City
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    Here’s a link to a bench I made a while back with only Minwax Gel stain, nothing before hand. Did a top coat of spar eurethane. Used some cheapo construction grade lumber from Home Depot.

    https://instagram.com/p/BbPu-QRFtXj/

  6. #6
    I'll definitely run some tests. You guys are correct, if it blocks the grain too much, might as well paint.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    I just noticed PopWood has a reprint: Glazing for the Ages, by Glen Huey, download on extended Cyber-Monday sale for $1. I thought that might be interesting as that's one technique for using Gel Stain.

  8. #8
    I have only ever used gel stains for staining carvings or as a glaze.

    By itself it will not eliminate blotching. You can undercoat with shellac or polyurethane and apply it as a glaze see how that works.

    Pine is not a friendly wood to try to stain so you will need to experiment. Maybe try Charles Neils blotch control. (cn-woodworking.com).

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