You’re not much of a woodworker, but you found a little table at a yard sale that would look good with a little work. You cleaned it up, fixed the drawer and now you’ve sanded it down. The table is made of various types of woods, none of which are in good condition. That, along with the fact that you don’t have a lot of practice with staining, has made you lean toward using a gel stain.

Gel stains work well for blending different woods and matching existing colors, though you may have to use a couple of colors to get the shade you want. They’re a snap to apply, too, particularly for beginners, and allow for more control over the color. They do not work well on figured woods, as they won’t give you the clarity you are looking for.

Before applying a gel stain, you will need to make sure you have prepped the table well. The old finish must be stripped completely and the table sanded and wiped down. Any trace of old finish or sawdust could mar the results. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve taken care of any defects in the wood, as the stain will seep into them quickly and be difficult to wipe away.

Gel stains require little in the way of equipment, just a soft, clean rag (an old T-shirt will do) and a pair of gloves. Make sure you read the instructions on the back of the can before you begin and apply the stain as recommended. Usually all you will need to do is apply some stain to the wood and wipe it off after a few minutes. The extensiveness of your wiping will determine the evenness and depth of the color. If your table has some crevices, you’ll want to use a light touch with the stain. As with defects, the stain will sink into crevices fast and be difficult to get out.

After you have finished applying the gel stain and given it time to dry, you will want to apply a polyurethane topcoat to protect the color. Gel stains do not penetrate wood like other stains and require sealing to ensure the color lasts.

Gel stains are easy to work with, but they do have some drawbacks. Study your table and make sure gel stain will work for it. If you have any concerns, speak to a professional at your local hardware store. They should be able to advise you on the type of stain that would suit your table best and its application.

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