This Stain Is the Secret to a Smooth, Drip-Free Wood Finish on Furniture and Cabinets

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If you're a fan of DIY projects like mixing up your own seed starting mix, installing your own water filtration system, or building a backyard fire pit, you're probably tried your hand at staining wood around the house. Ever wondered what the difference is between standard stains and gel ones? Gels stains for wood offer versatility you won’t find with your standard liquid stain. Gel stains are thicker than water-based stains, so you can use them to stain vertical surfaces, such as cabinetry and woodworking without having to worry about drips. And unlike liquid stain, you can use gel stain to cover an existing stain, sparing you the toil of stripping and staining wood. You can even use gel stain to change the look of painted wood. Here’s how to use this versatile type of wood stain.

What Is Gel Stain?

Gel stain is a thicker, more viscous type of stain that sits on the surface of wood rather than soaking into the surface like regular liquid stains. This thicker consistency makes it ideal for staining vertical surfaces as it resists dripping. Since it doesn’t soak into the wood, it’s also easier to control its color on softwoods like maple and pine. Gel stain can also be used to change the color of existing stains without having to go through the process of stripping.

Pros of Using Gel Stain

Adheres to vertical surfaces: The thick consistency of gel stain allows it to stick to vertical surfaces. This makes it a great choice for staining furniture, cabinets, woodwork and other wood that isn’t laying flat.

Even color: Gel stain is more forgiving than standard stain. Since it sits on the surface of wood, it doesn’t cause the uneven coloring that you can get across varying densities of wood with a liquid stain. This makes gel stain particularly ideal for softwoods that tend to end up blotchy with liquid stains.

Can be used over existing finishes: Since gel finish sits on the surface of the wood, you can use it over existing stains, thus eliminating the need to strip old stain before applying it.

Versatile finish: Since gel sits on the top of the wood, it's easier to control the opacity. Apply a coat or two to allow the wood grain to show through or go with a darker color and multiple coats to create a completely opaque, paint-like finish.

Cons of Using Gel Stain

Long drying time: Gel stains can take considerably longer than liquid stains to dry, which can slow your staining project down. In some cases you may have to wait up to 24 hours between coats.
Surface-level finish: Since gel stains sit on the surface of wood, they wear more quickly than liquid stains and are more vulnerable to chips.
Different look: Gel stains don’t soak into the wood, so they don’t provide the same depth in wood grain as other types of stain. Stick with a liquid stain if you want to fully highlight the wood’s grain or if you’re staining more porous wood like oak, ash, and elm.
Harder to clean up: Gel stain is oil-based which makes it more difficult to clean up than water-based liquid wood stains.

Gel stain is an excellent choice for coating wood that's already in place and upright because it doesn't drip or run like standard stains.

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How to Apply Gel Stain to Unfinished Wood

Step 1: Take safety precautions. Since most gel stains are oil based, they release VOCs that are harmful to breathe. Work outdoors if possible or in a garage with the door open. If working indoors, open windows and set up fans to ventilate the space.

Step 2: Sand. Sanding opens wood pores and roughens the surface, allowing for stain to better soak into the wood. Using a medium 150-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the wood, using a back and forth motion that’s in the same direction as the wood grain.
Step 3: Wipe down. Once you’re done sanding, remove the sawdust using damp tack cloth. Don’t skip this step as sawdust can prevent the stain from properly adhering to the wood surface. Sawdust can also get trapped in the stain, creating a gritty feel to the finish.
Step 4: Apply the stain. Use a lint free cloth or a foam brush or stain pad to apply the stain. Move back and forth following the grain of the wood. Make sure to cover the entire surface in one sitting. If you allow it to dry, you’ll end up with a visible line between the wet coat and dry coat.

Step 5: Wipe away excess. Allow the stain to set for a few minutes, then use a rag to wipe away the excess, again moving in the same direction as the grain.

Step 6: Dispose of oily rags safely. Don’t crumple up gel stained rags and throw them in a trash can as the solvents in the stain can heat up and spontaneously combust. Instead, lay the dirty rags out on your driveway and dispose of them when they’re dry.

How to Apply Gel Stain to Finished Wood

One of the coolest things about gel stains is that you can use them to cover an existing stain, allowing you to skip the onerous and messy process of stripping old stain. Here’s how:

Step 1: Clean the wood. While you don’t need to strip the old stain, you do need to clean it to remove oils and dirt that can interfere with the new coat of gel stain. Clean the wood with Tridosium Phosphate (TSP) or a solution made from one part water and one part denatured alcohol.
Step 2: Lightly sand. Scuff up the old finish using a 150 grit sandpaper. This will allow the gel stain to more easily adhere to the surface. Once you’re done, remove the sawdust with a damp tack cloth.
Step 3: Choose stain color. We highly recommend choosing a color that’s darker than the original color. While you’ll be covering the old finish, it will show through the new stain. Since you’re covering an old stain, it can be difficult to predict exactly how the new finish will look. We recommend getting a few test samples and testing them on an inconspicuous area before committing to a color.
Step 4: Apply the stain. Apply liberally with a lint free rag or a foam brush, using a back and forth motion while moving in the same direction as the wood grain. After applying the stain, wipe away the excess stain using a rag. Allow the stain to dry then add additional coats if you want to make the stain darker and more opaque.

How to Seal Gel Stain With Topcoat

Given that gel stain does not penetrate the wood like other stains, a topcoat is vital to protect it from chips and fading:

Step 1: Give the gel stain a good 48 hours to fully dry, then apply either a water-based polyurethane or oil-based urethane finish.
Step 2: Brush or wipe on the top coat using a foam brush or rag. Apply the topcoat in multiple thin coats as opposed to a thick layer to create a more durable protective barrier. Lightly sand between coats.
Step 3: Allow the top coat to fully cure (check the product label for cure times) before putting the piece back into service.

Do I need to stir gel stain before using it?

Since the pigments in gel stain settle to the bottom of the can, stirring it before you use it is crucial. Stirring helps to distribute the color evenly through the can, ensuring you get a more consistent finish.

Can I use a slip coat for easier application?

Yes, you can use a slip coat to make applying gel stain easier. A slip coat will reduce lap marks when you’re applying the gel stain by extending the working time of the stain. To apply a slip coat, lightly brush the piece with mineral spirits, and apply the gel stain while the mineral spirits are still wet.

Can I mix gel stains to create custom colors?

Yes, you can mix gel stains to create colors as long as they’re from the same manufacturer. Different brands use different base components, which can make them incompatible with each other.

Can you thin gel stains?

You can thin gel stain either by mixing it with mineral spirits or with an oil-based liquid stain. Simply apply a small amount of mineral spirits or liquid oil-based stain to the gel stain and mix thoroughly to thin it. Be conservative with how much you thin gel stain as it can wash out its color intensity and negatively impact its durability.

What removes gel stain?

You have a few options for removing gel stains. For gel stain that’s still wet or tacky, use mineral spirits to remove it. For dried gel stains, you'll have to sand it or use a chemical stripper to remove it.

What brands of gel stain are best?

General Finishes is widely considered to be one of the top gel stains due to the intensity of its color and ease of application. DuraSeal is also a top quality gel stain and dries quickly, making it a favorite among pros. More affordable options include Varathane, Old Master, and Minwax.

Do gel stains only work on wood?

Gel stains work on more than just wood. Since they have a thick consistency, you can also use them over a variety of non-porous surfaces, including metal, fiberglass, and painted surfaces.

Is it better to apply gel stain with a brush or rag?

It depends on what look you’re going for. If you want a smooth, consistent finish that’s free of lines, go with a rag or foam brush. If you’re after a richer, deeper finish with a paint brush texture, then go with a high quality brush.

How long do you let gel stains sit before wiping off?

Wait between two and 10 minutes before wiping off the stain. If you’re after a thinner, more translucent color, wipe off the stain after only a couple of minutes. If you want to achieve a richer finish, give it more time to set. Don’t wait more than 10 minutes (unless otherwise instructed on the product directions) as the gel stain will begin to set and will be more difficult to wipe away.

How many coats of gel stain should you apply?

The number of coats of gel stain you should apply depends on the look you’re after. Each additional coat you add will make the color darker. Apply the first coat, wait for it to dry, then apply additional coats until you achieve the color you want.