Old Masters Wiping Stain

Old Masters Wiping Stain is a thick, interior oil-based stain that you apply liberally and wipe off. It stains bare wood and also works on fiberglass, coated metal, composition surfaces and previously finished wood, and it can be used as a glaze over dry paint. We carry 17 colors in half pints, from Pickling White and Weathered Wood to Dark Walnut and American Walnut.

See the full guide below the products

17 Products

About Old Masters Wiping Stain

  • Interior use only. Stir before and during use. Do not thin.
  • On bare wood, sand with 120 or 180 grit, apply until the surface is wet, let it penetrate 5 to 15 minutes, then wipe across the grain and then with the grain.
  • For a darker color, apply a second coat once the first is dry.
  • Coverage is about 500 sq ft per gallon, so a half pint covers roughly 30 sq ft.
  • Dry time is about 10 hours. Topcoat after 12 hours once the stain is thoroughly dry. Before a water-based topcoat, wait an extra 24 hours.
  • Clean up with paint thinner or mineral spirits. VOC is 250 g/L.
  • Oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own. Put used rags in a sealed, water-filled metal container.

Shop related: all Old Masters, Old Masters Gel Stain, pre-stain conditioners, polyurethane, and the furniture refinishing cart.

FAQ

Can Old Masters Wiping Stain go over an old finish?

Yes. Old Masters says to sand lightly with very fine paper or #0000 steel wool, apply a thin coat with a foam or bristle brush, then brush lightly with a dry brush along the grain until the pattern is even.

Can I use Wiping Stain as a glaze over paint?

Yes. Apply it to fully dry paint with cheesecloth or a brush, let it set 5 to 10 minutes, then dry-brush to blend. Old Masters does not recommend a lacquer finish over a glaze.

Which woods does it work on?

Old Masters recommends it for pine, birch, maple, poplar, cherry, plywood and veneers. Color varies with wood type, so test on a hidden spot first.

What topcoat goes over Wiping Stain?

Old Masters recommends its own clear finishes, but most clears work. Test lacquer for compatibility first, and wait an extra 24 hours before a water-based topcoat.

Free shipping at $75. Free 30-day returns with a prepaid label on unopened cans. Sources: Old Masters product page and the technical data sheet (revised 02/2025).

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