Many products are available for staining and finishing wood, including gel stains and PolyShades. The type of wood stain you choose depends on your specific project goals, which is why I will compare gel stains with Minwax’s PolyShades to help you make the right decision for your woodworking project.
Contents
Gel Stain vs Polyshades: Which Should You Use?
Gel stains are a type of oil-based varnish with a colorant added, which is applied to wooden surfaces to alter their color and appearance. PolyShades, created by Minwax, combines wood stain and a protective Polyurethane finish to simplify the staining and finishing processes by combining them into one.

Ultimately, both types of products have their benefits and drawbacks. You can choose the best staining product for your woodworking project by understanding how these products differ in terms of their application, color, consistency, drying time, durability, finishing time, formulation, penetration, and uses.
Application
Gel stains have thick consistencies, making it easier for woodworkers to control the stain. Using gel stains is one of the best ways to prevent your stain from splattering or running while you’re applying your coats – which is why gel stains are perfect for vertical surfaces, detailed areas, and woodworkers lacking staining experience.
While gel stains are typically applied with a brush, you can apply PolyShades with a brush or cloth. Wiping PolyShades onto your wooden surface makes it easier than using gel stains and ensures you create an even finish after applying the PolyShades with a clean cloth. PolyShades can also be applied over existing stains and finishes to change the color of the wood!
Color
Although gel stains and PolyShades are readily available in different colors and sheens, these staining products will not have the same final appearance. Gel stains are opaquer than PolyShades. While PolyShades will allow the wood grain to shine through, gel stains will create a uniform color that obscures the wood grain.
From Antique Walnut to Vintage Blue, Minwax currently offers 28 different PolyShades colors. While Minwax only has 12 gel stain colors to choose from, other manufacturers also specialize in gel-based stains, which is why there are more gel stain color options to choose from overall.
Consistency
While both products have thicker consistencies than traditional oil- and water-based wood stains, gel stains have a thicker consistency than PolyShades. The thinner consistency of PolyShades can make it harder to control than gel stains.
Drying Time
Gel stains are thick and aren’t designed to penetrate wooden fibers, which is why they take much longer to dry than most other wood staining products, including oil-based stains. Woodworkers must wait at least 24 hours between gel stain coats. A PolyShades coat must only dry for six hours before applying another thin coat.

Durability
As a general rule, PolyShades is more durable than gel stain because it contains polyurethane, which is a polymer material used to add a protective layer due to the material’s durability, chemical resistance, and ability to provide a glossy finish. Gel stains do not have any protective properties, which is why a clear coat would be required to protect the stained surface.
Finishing Time
By combining the staining and finishing processes into one, the finishing time of PolyShades is significantly less than that of gel stains. You can simply apply the PolyShades product, let it dry, and be done with your project. Gel stains must dry completely before a protective topcoat can be applied, which extends the finishing time.
Another aspect to consider is the preparation of your wooden surface. When wood is finished with gel stains, you must sand the surface to remove any existing stains or finishes. This step can be skipped when using PolyShades, which can be used over existing finishes, including polyurethane finishes.
Formulation
Much like traditional wood stains, gel-based stains are available in water- and oil-based variants. On the other hand, the formulation of PolyShades means it’s more of a tinted polyurethane coat than a traditional wood staining product. You can also classify PolyShades as a type of premixed sealer stain.
Penetration
Neither gel stains nor PolyShades are designed to deeply penetrate wooden surfaces. The fact that gel-based products don’t penetrate the wood is why they aren’t as durable or protective as PolyShades or traditional wood stains.
Since PolyShades combines stain and polyurethane, each coat builds up the protective finish on the wood.

Uses
Gel stains are better suited to woodworking projects that require more control and precision, including intricate details and designs. Beginners will also feel more comfortable working with thick gel stains that don’t drip or run.
PolyShades are better suited to large projects where you prioritize convenience and efficiency. Unless you plan on applying a protective clear coat over your gel stain, you should use PolyShades when you want to stain and protect wood to prevent wear and tear over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Polyshades Be Applied to Wood Stained With a Gel Stain?
The formulation of PolyShades means the product can be applied to wood previously stained with a gel stain product. However, gel stain cannot be applied to wood that has been stained with PolyShades since the polyurethane properties will prevent the gel stains from properly adhering to the surface.
Is Polyshades Applied the Same Way as Other Wood Stains?
While PolyShades can be applied like most other stains, there are a few steps you can skip when using PolyShades instead of gel stains. For example, you won’t need to strip existing finishes, wipe off the excess product, or apply a protective finish after staining. This fantastic YouTube video outlines how to apply PolyShades to a wooden surface!
Conclusion
Both gel stains and PolyShades have specialized properties, making each better suited to different uses. The thick consistency of gel stains makes it ideal if you want more control while applying the stain and a richer depth of color. PolyShades combines stain with a protective finish, making it a convenient option if you want to simplify the staining and finishing process.