DIY
Does this gel stain look good and if not, how can I fix it?
I am gel staining all of the oak in my parent’s house, it is a HUGE project. They wanted me to get rid of the orange and shoot for a dark brown. I started in their bathroom and want to make sure this looks professional enough for the rest of the house. They say it’s good and they like it but it looks splotchy to me and I don’t know how to fix it. I am looking for some honest feedback and any tips of how to improve. I am basically following exactly what the can says, and what I have found on General Finishes website. The last picture is the original wainscoting that covers the entire house that I will be doing next. By my self. Help. Please.
It’s a pretty far back picture, but it looks good to me man. I’m my own biggest critic, so I get it. But if your parents say it looks good. I’d just continue on.
Gel stain is pretty forgiving from the times I’ve used it. Prep is key as you’re essentially just putting a tinted see through finish over the surface. There isn’t as much penetration as there is in a traditional stain. As I understand it.
You can try wood pre conditioner. Once you sand down the wood. Put pre conditioner on the wood, or try it in one spot. It can aid in reducing splotching in stains.
It’s their home, I doubt this is something they’d lie about just to boost your confidence.
Thank you! I am probably just overthinking. I was taught to use denatured alcohol before as a replacement for pre conditioner but I have been using mineral spirits this time as the can suggests. Do you think the ms are helping or making it splotchier?
Also I dont know if you saw the second photo
I saw it. Thought it looked nice. I zoomed in and such, I’m not seeing any splotching that would catch my eye.
Unfortunately I have no knowledge on the use of the spirits. I know it’s recommended before stain though.
But like I said, imo your current course has yielded from what I can tell to be good results.