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Stains beautify, preserve, and fix minor blemishes in wood pieces. It brings life, clarity, and color to otherwise dull wood pieces. Two popular types are gel and oil stain. Although similar in their composition, their dissimilarities in their behavior warrant an in-depth look at the differences between gel and oil stain.
Gel vs Oil Stain: How Do They Differ From Each Other?
Gel stain is pasty or gel-like in consistency, unlike conventional wood stain, which is thin and watery. Both interact differently with wood due to their unique viscosities.
Gel and oil stain are very similar in composition, but that is where their similarities end.
Stain Composition
Gel stain is a mixture of a thickening agent (a thixotropic agent), a binder (oil, varnish), mineral spirits, and pigments. The thickening agent is responsible for the gel-like nature of the stain. The viscosity of the stain can vary substantially between different brands.
A commercial oil stain is available in either a pigment or a dye form (or a combination of both). The pigmented oil stain contains a mixture of pigments, a binder (drying oil like linseed oil), and a solvent (primarily mineral spirits).
Oil-based dye stain consists of oil-soluble dyes dissolved in a solvent such as mineral spirits (no binder is required).
Where to Use Stain?
Choosing a stain is about selecting which stain or finish will suit the wood best for the particular circumstance where you will be using it.
Gel stain is preferred for difficult-to-stain wood, previously stained or painted surfaces, or awkwardly positioned wood surfaces such as vertical-orientated doors and cupboards.
Gel stain is ideal for staining raw wood with minimal sanding. Staining natural wood is made possible by the gel stain’s unique ability to fill uneven spots on wood surfaces, forming a smooth surface layer.
Difficult-to-stain wood species are perfect candidates for gel stain because the stain delivers an even, mostly blotch-free finish. These wood species include:
- Pine
- Cherry
- Birch
- Poplar
Penetrating wood stain is another name for an oil-based stain. An oil-based stain with a high solvent content will penetrate the deepest. This type of stain is ideal for exterior wood surfaces regularly exposed to moisture, such as desks and outdoor wooden furniture, and high-traffic areas.
Mechanics of Staining
Gel stain is thick and does not flow, limiting the amount of stain that can penetrate the wood. As a result, gel stain forms a barrier on top of the wood surface as it dries.
The pigment concentration in gel stain is high (but not as high as in paint) and tends to obscure the wood grain more with every additional coat applied. The tendency to cover the wood grain is why gel stain produces a more even coloring than other stains.
Oil stain’s ability to protect the wood from moisture damage is well documented.
Oil stain, particularly oil-based dye stain, penetrates deeply into the wood surface and colors the actual fibers of the wood. Color pigments in an oil stain are laid down between the fibers.
You can expect an oil-based pigment stain to highlight the contrast between porous and non-porous wood grain, while an oil-based dye stain will color the grain without enhancing the contrast.
Preparing the Wood for Staining
When using gel stain, there is no need to sand previously stained or painted surfaces down to the wood. Before staining the wood, ensure the surface is smooth and free from blemishes, dings, scratches, and dust particles.
For raw wood, sand down the wood, finishing with 180-grit sandpaper. You can apply a slip coat using mineral spirits for ease of application. Apply the stain while the wood is still wet.
Using an oil stain requires more sanding work. The wood surface must be sanded down to bare wood using up to 180-grit sandpaper for hardwoods and 220-grit for softwoods. Ovoid over-sanding as this will tend to close the wood pores. Do the same for raw wood.
Stain Application
The non-drip nature of gel stain, similar to wiping stain, makes for ease of application. The high viscosity of gel stain limits the penetration ability of the stain. As the stain dries, the embedded pigments in the binder settle out, covering and filling voids and imperfections in the wood surface.
It may be beneficial to use a wood conditioner on wood that is known to produce a blotchy finish, such as pine. This advice applies to oil stain too.
Gel stain is applied evenly using a rag or foam brush and left on for the duration specified by the manufacturer. The longer the stain contacts the wood, the darker the result. Do not let the excess stain dry before wiping it off. The stain is wiped off in the direction of the grain to mask streaks.
Stain trapped in nooks and corners can be removed with a small, dry bristle brush to prevent uneven staining.
Oil stain is best applied with a brush. It is messy to work with as the stain has a low viscosity, especially on non-horizontal surfaces. The stain is applied evenly and left to dry. Do not wipe off.
Drying Time
Drying time for gel stain may be from a couple of hours to 48 hours, depending on the thickness of the application, while complete curing can take days (The product label on the container will give you a good idea of what to expect).
The drying time between different types of oil stain vary, but 12-24 hours between coats should be sufficient. The time for the stain to cure can be as long as 72 hours.
Generally, gel stain takes longer to dry and cure than oil stain unless the manufacturer has added a quick drying agent to the stain.
Applying a Finisher
After staining with gel stain, the final result can be deceiving as the binder/varnish in the stain makes the finish appears smooth and sealed.
Sealing newly stained surfaces using an oil or water base polyurethane or using polyacrylic finish is highly recommended to protect against UV light, moisture, and knocks. Polyacrylic finishes are water-based and provide the least protection. Polyurethane forms a more rigid barrier that is resistant to water and heat.
Wood treated with oil stain does not need to have a sealant applied as the treated wood repels moisture well. However, for outdoor applications, it is recommended to seal the wood with an oil-based polyurethane sealer.
Talking Dollars and Cents
Gel stain is more expensive than oil stain, and you can end up using more stain than initially anticipated.
If cost is a problem, consider settling for the cheaper oil-based stain variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Apply Gel Stain Over Oil Stain
Using gel stain over wood previously stained with an oil-based stain is not a problem as long as the surface is dry. The great thing about gel stain is that it can be applied on almost any surface.
Does Oil Stain Perform Better Than Gel Stain?
Oil stain outperforms gel stain on exterior and hard-wearing surfaces. Gel stain only protects as long as the surface layer is intact. Any damage to this surface will allow moisture to enter behind the surface layer. Oil stain does not have this problem.
Conclusion
Whether you want to use a gel stain or an oil stain is a personal choice. Gel stain is ideal for indoors on cupboards, furniture, and even floors where the face of the wood grain is not that important.
An oil-based stain is more versatile in that you can use it indoors and outdoors. An oil stain is the stain to use when the appearance of the wood grain matters, as it can accentuate the wood grain so much better than a gel stain can.
