
How To Apply General Finishes Oil Based Pre-Stain Conditioner
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Stir General Finishes Oil Based Pre-Stain Conditioner to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can.
- Do NOT thin.
- Apply 1 coat of Pre-Stain Conditioner to raw wood using a clean cotton rag, natural bristle or foam brush, staining pad or pad applicator.
Full Answer
Which General finishes stain should I use?
If working with woods that are difficult to stain, such a pine or maple, we recommended using General Finishes Gel Stain or General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain. Optionally, an initial coat of General Finishes Pre-Stain Conditioner Natural can improve color uniformity over difficult-to-stain wood species.
What is the best way to apply stain?
Apply wood stain using a brush or rags, depending on the stain you are using. Oil based stains are best applied using paintbrushes, while water based stains can be applied using rags. Ensure that you apply the stain in the direction of wood grains.
How do you use general finishes gel stain?
General Finishes Gel Stains contain urethane, which allows the gel stains to be used for finishing over existing top coats, stains, and paints. Prepare existing surfaces first by cleaning well. If you are applying gel over another finish you need to clean the surface well with a mixture of one-half water and one-half denatured alcohol.
Can I mix general finishes liquid oil stains with gel satin topcoat?
Yes, you could mix up to 20% General Finishes liquid oil stains with General Finishes Gel Satin Topcoat. *Can I Use Interior Wood Stains Outdoors If I Coat With an Exterior Topcoat?

What is the best way to apply an oil-based stain?
1:142:28Minwax® | How to Get Beautiful Results with Oil-Based StainYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're happy with the color you can start staining by going with the grain using a Purdy naturalMoreIf you're happy with the color you can start staining by going with the grain using a Purdy natural bristle brush. Wait 5 to 15 minutes for the stain to penetrate.
How do you use General Finishes dye stain?
0:522:18Layering & Toning with Colors | Water Based Dye Stain | General FinishesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it can be used to make a toner by mixing by volume with five to ten percent of all our water-MoreAnd it can be used to make a toner by mixing by volume with five to ten percent of all our water-based topcoats with the exception of conversion varnish Cheers gray stone wood stain.
How many coats of General Finishes stain?
Always seal General Finishes oil-based stains with 3 coats topcoat to lock in the color. You can use either oil-based or water-based topcoat.
Should I sand between coats of oil-based stain?
With oil-based topcoats, the more coats you apply, the darker and richer the wood will become. With water-based topcoats, sand any "grain-raise" smooth before applying the final coat. Note: Sanding between coats is not necessary, but it will provide a better finish.
Should I sand after dye?
You can wait to sand until after the first coat of the Polycrylic has dried. The Polycrylic is based primarily around acyrlic resin with a bit of polyurethane added for abrasion resistance and marketing purposes. By the way, waterborne finishes can't be meaningfully thinned.
Can I stain over oil stain?
Yes! But you must follow ONE simple rule to ensure the best possible finish: the underlying finish must be absolutely dry. When using a water-based product over an oil-based product, such as water-based High Performance Topcoat over oil-based Gel Stain, wait 72 hours before applying the water-based product.
Do you have to sand between coats of General Finishes top coat?
If a faster build is desired over raw wood, use General Finishes Sanding Sealer for the first coat, followed by 2 coats of High Performance Topcoat. Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion.
How long should you wait to apply second coat of stain?
How Long to Wait Before Second Coat of Stain. Wait an hour before applying a second coat of standard wood stain. You may need to wait for longer for gel stains—about six to eight hours before adding a second coat. In any case, the product label should always indicate how long for stain to dry before the second coat.
How long does it take for General Finishes stain to dry?
Drying Information Wipe-on Liquid Stains and Top Coats can dry in 6-8 hours under ideal conditions (70% - 75% humidity). Cooler temperatures or higher humidity may extend the time needed for drying up to 12-24 hours or longer.
How long should you let stain dry before sanding?
Step 6: Allow the Wood Stain to Dry What is this? Water-based and oil-based products often run into adhesion problems if they're used together and one isn't fully dry, hence the 72 hour recommendation.
Should I use steel wool between stain and polyurethane?
Using steel wool or sand paper allows you to create a uniform surface for the next coat of polyurethane, which generally looks nicer, more professionally, etc. In my experience, assuming the finish is dry, there isn't a difference other than the coarseness of the sand paper or steel wool.
Should I use steel wool between coats of stain?
Sanding is one of the keys to an excellent result, beginning with coarse-grit paper and ending with a steel-wool substitute or fine sandpaper between coats. While sanding between coats of finish is standard, sanding between coats of stain is optional and typically is not done with oil stain.
How do you stain wood with dye?
1:2023:39142 - Understanding and Using Dyes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you can apply layer after layer of different colors making for a really deep rich color effect.MoreSo you can apply layer after layer of different colors making for a really deep rich color effect. You can also combine the dyes to make an infinite number of color shades.
How long does it take for dye stain to dry?
SpecificationsBasic FeaturesDry Time - Touch30+ min.Dry Time - Recoat2+ hrDry Time - Recoat - Applied Over Oil Based Product24Contents19 more rows
What is the difference between wood stain and wood dye?
Wood stains are used to not only color the wood, but often times they are used to add a layer of protection to it. Wood dyes, on the other hand, penetrate the wood and do not give a protective layer like most wood stains do.
How do you use water based wood dye?
3:1612:07How to Apply Water-Based Wood Stain - General Finishes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight. Around the front of the piece. Here I'm gonna lift this up. And the stain actually goes quiteMoreRight. Around the front of the piece. Here I'm gonna lift this up. And the stain actually goes quite a way so it doesn't take much to cover and I'm gonna start with I have a cloth.
What is liquid oil based stain?
Liquid Oil Based Wood Penetrating Stains made from the highest-quality oils, resins and pigments to ensure your finishing project will be an easy and rewarding experience . These wipe-on stains are designed to be applied over raw wood surfaces.
How to tell if oil based finish is dry?
You can tell if an oil-based finish is dry if it is no longer tacky, cool to the touch, and if you can press a cotton ball over the surface and nothing sticks . If in doubt, wait longer. Increase dry time if: Humidity is over 80%. 3+ coats are applied. Thick coats are applied.
How to get stains out of corners?
Pull excess stain out of corners and details with a natural bristle brush.
How to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process?
Stir stain thorough ly to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process.
Why does bloxygen gas sink to the surface of the finish?
Because Bloxygen gas is heavier than air, it sinks to the surface of the leftover finish, creating a barrier between product and air trapped in the container. Decant leftovers to a smaller, properly labeled container when the finish is almost used up to reduce the volume of oxygen in the container.
How to remove dust from a drywall wall?
Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.
Does General Finishes Pre-Stain Conditioner Natural stain wood?
Optionally, an initial coat of General Finishes Pre-Stain Conditioner Natural can improve color uniformity over difficult-to-stain wood species. However, it will limit color absorption, so a darker stain may be required to get the depth of color you want. CAUTION: Contains ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS.
