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+-- Thread: Gel stain how long to wait? (/showthread.php?tid=7351777)
Gel stain how long to wait? - DogwoodTales - 12-12-2019
How long do you wait to wipe off the excess gel stain?
The General Finishes web site seems to indicate 12-24 hours before wiping off excess. Is that right?
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - Terry W - 12-12-2019
(12-12-2019, 08:37 PM)DogwoodTales Wrote: How long do you wait to wipe off the excess gel stain?
The General Finishes web site seems to indicate 12-24 hours before wiping off excess. Is that right?
Ummm. No. You apply then wipe off before it drys. Watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGMJWz3mnEo
I think you are thinking about the drying time before you can seal the stain with a clear coat.
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - DogwoodTales - 12-12-2019
Thanks! Idk why I didn’t find that video in my searches.
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - Cooler - 12-13-2019
I wipe it on and then wipe off as much as I want to immediately. The amount wiped off is determined by the shade I want to achieve.
It is important to let it fully dry prior to top-coating however.
After seeing the worn areas on the displays at Barnes and Noble, which show up as nearly white, I now use a penetrating stain then a gel to achieve the right color on pieces that will receive hard wear.
The penetrating stain ensures that the worn areas will remain a brown color rather than showing up as white.
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - Halfathumb - 12-13-2019
(12-12-2019, 08:37 PM)DogwoodTales Wrote: How long do you wait to wipe off the excess gel stain?mmm! Over 30 years of ww and I didn't know gel top coat existed.
The General Finishes web site seems to indicate 12-24 hours before wiping off excess. Is that right?
Guess I gota get out more. I do prefer gel stain though.
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - Terry W - 12-13-2019
You need to seal the gel stain with a top coat. It doesn't have to be a special gel stain topcoat, although they do market a gel topcoat.
You can also use a good polyurethane. I've had good results with both Minwax poly and General Finishes Arm-R-Seal.
RE: Gel stain how long to wait? - jteneyck - 12-13-2019
FYI, GF's Gel Urethane Topcoat is one of their poorest products in terms of chemical durability. Even water left on it for several hours will leave a white ring that can't easily be removed. Arm-R-Seal would be a much better choice for a wipe on finish where good durability is needed, like on a table top, etc.
John