Dennis Bauman

Gel Stain vs Wood Stain [Exactly When To Use Each]

A person wearing blue latex gloves is wiping a brown stain on a piece of wood on top of a brown paper

The purpose of gel and wood stains is to apply protection and color to a surface, like wooden furniture. So, what are the differences between gel stains and wood stains? Gel stains are thicker and more gel-like. Wood stains are thinner, like a liquid. These differing viscosity levels impact their appearance, application process, cost, and …

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Can You Stain Over Stained Concrete?

A modern loft-style house with a spacious hall and concrete floor

Concrete staining is a popular method of enhancing the appearance of concrete surfaces. The most common reason for re-staining concrete is that the first layer is either in bad shape or they want a different look. In this article, I’ll talk about staining stained concrete and provide advice on how to proceed. Can You Stain …

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Best Temperature to Stain Wood

A man wearing blue latex gloves is dipping a white piece of cloth into a brown gel stain to put a stain on a brown wood

Staining wood is a great way to elevate the look of your project or enhance the beauty of the wood, but environmental aspects can influence stain application. What temperature is best for applying stain to wood, and what other factors influence the process? The ambient temperature can play a role in the effectiveness of applying …

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Can You Stain Over Varnish?

A person wearing blue gloves opening a Minwax Gel stain

Stripping old finish off a project piece before restaining can be a tedious, labor-intensive, and time-consuming task. Can you stain over varnish to avoid the extra work, or is it a prerequisite that the old finish must be stripped off first? Can You Stain Over Varnish? Yes, you can stain over varnish, but it requires …

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Does Wood Stain Go Bad?

A close-up view of a finger pointing at the crack in the wood

Wood stains are one of the best ways to enhance the natural grain of wood while providing some protection against the elements. Many woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts have questioned whether wood stain products can go bad, and how to properly store these products! Will Wood Stain Go Bad Eventually? As a general rule, wood stain …

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Best Plywood for Staining

Plywood stacked neatly on blue and white metal shelves on a gray cemented floor inside a well-lit store

Plywood is an economical and all-around product popular with the building industry and DIY home users. It is available in a myriad of finishes with varying quality. Not all plywood is suitable for staining, though. That begs the question: What is the most suitable plywood for staining? Best Plywood for Staining The most suitable plywood …

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What Happens if You Apply Polyurethane Before Stain Is Dry?

A person wearing blue checkered long sleeves is holding a small can of Polyurethane on top of old newspaper sheets

Applying stain and polyurethane can enhance the beauty and increase the durability of any woodwork project. Questions about the sequence and timing of the applications are crucial when working with these wood finishes. What happens, for instance, if you apply polyurethane layers before the stain has dried? What Happens if You Apply Polyurethane Before Stain …

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How to Stain Between Deck Boards

A green-painted house with glass doors and a brown wooden deck near tall trees

Staining between deck boards is a mission that destroys brushes and is time-consuming. As a result, some DIYers and (un)professionals avoid it altogether. However, staining between deck boards is advisable for aesthetics and for extending your deck’s life. Let’s find out how to stain between deck boards next. Best Tips on How to Stain Between …

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How to Clean Wood Before Staining

A person wearing a red polo shirt and blue latex gloves is holding a wood plank on his left hand

It’s essential to clean wood before staining if you want to achieve a long-lasting finish that looks professional. Cleaning the wood involves removing any dirt or debris on the surface, stripping away previous finishes, and smoothing the wooden surface to ensure the stain absorbs into the wood. How to Clean Wood Before Staining Whether making …

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How Long To Wait Between Coats of Stain

A person wearing a blue latex glove is putting a brown gel stain on a piece of wood on top of a gray table

If you’re busy with a DIY project and must apply multiple coats of stain to your wooden item, you might have wondered, “How long should I wait between coats of stain?” Below I’ll examine the average drying times of different stains and what factors influence the interval between coats. How Long Between Coats of Stain …

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How to Fix Wood Stain Mistakes

A woman is holding a white paintbrush in her right hand to fix wood stain on a brown wood pallet

There are few steps in the carpentry process as exciting and terrifying as staining. It could be the step where the final product starts revealing itself or where you watch your hard work die. Or rather, it can feel that way, but you can, in fact, fix those wood stain mistakes. Easy Fixes for Wood Stain Mistakes …

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Band Saw vs Jigsaw: Which is Best and When to Use Each

Budget jigsaw on a table

The world of saws can be quite confusing, especially for beginners. There are ​a multitude of​ saws on the market and selecting the one that ​is just right for your needs is not always that easy. There are two major types of saws that are quite popular among woodworkers, woodcarvers, carpenters, and ​DIY crafters the …

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