Wiping stain is more resistant to blotching than penetrating stain due to the fact that it doesn't deeply penetrate the wood. Also, you can use wiping stain over previously finished wood to change the wood tone color without stripping the old finish off.
Old Masters® Wiping Stain is a robust, oil-based masking stain for use on wood, fiberglass, metal and composition surfaces. This stain can also be used in wood graining or as an antiquing glaze over painted surfaces.
No, the sticky stains will not dry after some time, which is why it is important to wipe off the excess wood stain. If you don't, your work will end up sticky because the stain did not dry properly. You will have to use mineral spirits, more stain, or sandpaper to fix the mess.
Approximately 10 hours, depending on humidity, temperature, and air movement. Dry times may also be extended due to excess stain application or lack of stain penetration. Wiping Stain can be topcoated after 12 hours, but stain must be thoroughly dry.
It's more efficient to wipe stain than to brush it, and you're less likely to have color problems. Brushing into recesses. If you don't get your cloth wet enough with stain, you'll have trouble getting the stain into recesses. You can always use a brush to help do this.
Be sure to wipe carefully in corners and deep fluting (sometimes a brush can work to get stain into these hard-to-reach areas). If you have oil-based stains (which dries slower), brushing or spraying large areas could work, but lacquer and water-based stains simply dry too fast.
Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Rubbing or brushing against the direction of the grain will help fill deep pores with stain.
Apply oil-based stains with a paintbrush or clean rag. Apply water-based stains with a foam brush or synthetic bristle brush. For deep grain woods, work the stain into the grain by working in a circular motion. Otherwise, apply the stain evenly in the direction of the wood grain.
Wood stain is intended to be wiped off immediately after application. If the wood stain remains on the wood, liquid solvents in the stain will evaporate, leaving sticky pigments behind that will never fully dry. To remove tacky wood stain, firmly scrub the piece with mineral spirits.
Old t-shirts are great for this, but even paper towels work for smaller projects. But again, I can't stress enough how important it is to wipe it down with a clean dry cloth. Don't slack off on this part.
There are many different options available on the market when it comes to wood stain, from oil-based and gel to water-based and varnish wood stains. There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a wood stain, it all depends on the desired finish look and the level of protection you require.
Our customers say recycled, gray T-shirt knit rags are the most cost-effective wiping cloths for applying varnishes, paints and stains. The instructions on the product you're using might say “apply with a clean white cloth.” But a gray knit cloth works just as well in most cases.
It's best to allow the stain to set for at least 10 minutes before wiping it off. However, remember that the time you'll have to wait will vary. You may have to wait longer (at least 20 minutes) for a darker shade. A lighter shade may require you to wipe the stain instantly.
Rubbing. Frantically rubbing a stain can make it spread further and also damage the weave of the fabric. Try gently dabbing the stain away first.
With a staining brush, work both with the grain and against it. Don't worry about being neat; all that matters is getting a nice, even, liberal coat over the wood. Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off.
One brand of stain that I favor is Sherwin Williams' BAC Wiping Stain. This product dries to topcoat with solvent finishes in about 60 minutes, for a water base finish you must wait 24 hours.
We always recommend two coats of stain for any wood project, but you should only apply as much stain as the wood can absorb. Extremely dense hardwoods may only be able to absorb one coat of wood stain. The general rule of thumb is to apply only as much deck stain as the wood can absorb.
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based interior stain is what most people think of when it comes to wood stain. They are readily available and the easiest to use. They usually have a linseed oil binder that allows plenty of time to remove the excess before the stain dries.
Depending on your project, you will not need to remove old stain before restaining. If you want to darken the stain on your wood project, then removing the existing stain is not necessary!
You can also work slowly and remove the paintbrush from the wooden deck gradually at the time when it runs out of stain. This is a great way to prevent lap marks. Furthermore, you can blend these marks by wiping out the stain from dark areas of the lap mark and by adding more stain to the light areas.
The Cons of Staining Wood
While some stains can last up to five years, postponing re-staining a wood surface for too long can cause the job to become more complex and labour intensive. Even decks that are stripped and re-stained will still require maintenance every couple of years.
General Finishes Oil Based Gel Wood Stain
This stain makes our list because it is an oil-based gel topcoat among the easiest to use and gets a hand-rubbed look without stress. The application of this stain is easy when using a lint-free cloth or foam brush.