Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Types of stain

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Expert: - 12/18/2008


Question
I recently bought and started using a Minwax stain that requires that you wipe off the excess. The table that I'm refinishing doesn't seem to be taking this stain very well as I am wiping off quite a bit and the color has not darkened much after two applications. Is a gel stain a better product to use instead?

Answer
Hi Jill, all stains require wiping off well, but very hard woods will not darken well with an oil stain. For that one needs a dye based stain, either solvent or waterborne. Gel stains are oil based as well and will not really improve on the penetration problem. Dye stains are available at Woodcraft and many other supply places, but they require some getting used to, as they tend to lap mark much easier, especially on a large surface like a table top. There are ways to retard the drying of the stain as dye stains dry rapidly, and this is one of the things that makes them a challenge to use, but getting into the finer points of dye staining with someone who's never done it is tough...there is no room for error. They also will color anything they contact, so care must be taken when using them. Did you strip the old finish completely off the wood with stripper, and then sand the bare wood smooth before staining? It's imperative to stain on a bare, clean wood surface with no trace of old finish. I would recommend the General waterborne Dye stains...but with caution...post back if need be. Regards- Greg
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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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