"Pat Barber" wrote

I am in the middle of a project using a gel stain
for the first time.

This stuff is seriously thick and I am having
good success but I have found one very annoying
thing about the product.

This stuff seems to "flash off" at a very quick
rate and I have a hard time getting the finish
smooth and pretty on certain areas.

Most of the time it rubs out pretty but if I
fool around too long, the problem occurs.

Combination of the product (some gel stains are harder to apply), and you
could be doing too big an area at a time. I usually pick around a square
foot, then wipe it off immediately with a separate "wipe off" rag.

This second "wipe off" rag, once you've got it wet enough with the gel stain
from wiping, is key for smoothing those areas that got too dry.

AAMOF, I might judiciously fold and use the "application" rag as a "wipe
off" rag pretty quick after starting the process, using a new application
rag.

Regardless, the key, IME with gel stain, is to do small areas at a time.

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Last update: 12/14/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)