Just wipe the wet surface with a lacquer thinner rag or with acetone either one. Make sure to use a WHITE RAG. Wear gloves and respirator and keep away from sparks and flames. Both of these solvents evaporate very quickly and will loosen the tints and paraffins that delay dry times in stains.
Usually lightly wiping the stain with a rag and solvent, allowing adequate dry time and applying new stain will solve the problem.
Will tacky stain eventually dry? A tacky stain will eventually dry if it's water based. However, if you used an oil based deck stain it won't dry so you need to remove the excess with a rag and mineral spirits…
To fix a sticky wood stain, lightly sand the affected area to remove the tackiness, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Allow it to dry completely before applying a new coat if necessary. Check out my Quora Profile for more troubleshooting advice.
In summary, to speed up wood stain drying time, you need to apply it properly by wiping off the excess stain, ideally have a low humidity and high temperature environment, and put it in the sun for a few hours.
Thickness of coat: If you lay your stain on in thick coats, expect it to take longer to dry.
If it doesn't resolve itself, then look for patches of excess stain that can be removed with a sponge or a light sanding, direct a fan at the area, or carefully aim a heat gun or hairdryer on the wet patch to help it dry.
Reapplying Stain Correctly
Lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to ensure an even surface. Wipe away any dust with a tack cloth. Reapply the stain liberally, working in small sections. Immediately wipe off the excess with a clean rag, moving in the direction of the wood grain.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a cup. The acidic solution helps remove sticky residue and worn out varnish from your table. Dip your sponge into the solution and start wiping down the table completely. Avoid scrubbing with too much pressure as it will leave scratch marks on the surface of your table.
Applying the second coat too soon can result in peeling or uneven coloration, while waiting too long may hinder absorption. Manufacturer Guidelines: Most stains recommend waiting at least 4 hours between coats or until the first coat is completely dry.
Mineral spirits, also called paint thinner or mineral turpentine, prepare wood surfaces by gently cleaning the top layer. The liquid doesn't make the wood swell, thus damaging it or changing its size, but rather wipes off any stains, especially oil. It also dries quickly when rubbed over a wooden surface.
For consistent color, use careful timing. Never allow any stain to dry on the wood surface—it will prevent the clear finish from adhering and cause other issues. Remove the last of any unabsorbed stain with a dry cloth, wiping in the direction of the wood grain.
Minwax® Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain
It applies easily and penetrates deep into the pores of the wood. While conventional stains recommend 18 to 24 hours drying time, Minwax Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain can be recoated in just 2 hours for solvent-based finishes and 6 hours for water-based finishes.
Simply put, wood stain typically dries faster in heat. However, there's much more to how weather affects wood staining positively or negatively than this statement. If the weather is too hot, the stain can dry too quickly and leave uneven colors behind.
Soak item for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1-quart lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon ammonia, and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Gently rub stain from the back, then soak for an additional 15 minutes. Rinse the item, then soak in Oxy-Clean solution for at least 30 minutes, or until the stain is gone. Launder normally.
Give it a few more days to see if it improves. Another possibility is that the stain was old or came from a bad batch. In either case, if the tackiness doesn't go away, wipe the wood down with mineral spirits or naphtha to remove most of the stain, let it dry thoroughly, then try again using a fresh can of stain.
If the surface is still tacky or you can remove more than a faint trace of stain, the surface is not ready. If Gel Stain is tacky after 5 days, dry time requirements have not been met and it may never dry. The only alternative is to strip off the finish and start over.
Leave the original stain in place if you want to stain the piece a darker color. If you're going from a light stain to a dark stain, there's no need to strip away the existing stain first. However, keep in mind that the existing stain may alter the color of the finished product.
Stubborn spots may require several applications. Then wax and polish the entire surface. If rubbing with ashes is not effective, go over the stained area with a mixture of rottenstone and linseed oil. Mix the rottenstone and oil to a thin paste, and rub the paste gently over the stain, along the grain of the wood.
You can let it dry naturally or use a hair dryer to quicken the drying time. You will notice the surface of the painting will look shiny in the light. If you're happy with the results, you could be done.
It's just a matter of time before the stain finally dries, but I have found that if I put a piece in the direct sun on a good warm day it will usually dry good in about 3 hours.
Check items before drying or ironing: Remember that heat can dry out stains and result in them setting. Inspect items before transferring them from the washer to the dryer and lay them out on the ironing board to check. You may choose to air dry your items after treating the stain.