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Old Masters

Old Masters stains and clear finishes for furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, and woodwork. This brand collection includes Gel Stain, Fast Dry Stain, Armor interior water-based clear, Ascend exterior water-based clear, and Scratchide touch-up and putty products carried in the catalog.

Per Old Masters technical data, Gel Stain is a highly pigmented alkyd gel for interior wood (and listed nonporous surfaces such as fiberglass doors). Do not thin. Practical coverage is about 300 to 500 sq ft per gallon on porous wood; finely sanded or nonporous surfaces can run higher (maker lists about 800 to 1,600 sq ft per gallon in those cases). Dry time is about 6 to 8 hours at 70 to 75°F and 35 to 50% humidity; a second coat after 8 hours for deeper color. Carbon Black needs at least 24 hours. VOC about 550 g/L. Cleanup with mineral spirits; store oily rags in a sealed, water-filled metal container. Old Masters recommends their clear finishes as topcoat; if using a water-based clear, wait at least 24 hours.

Line Best for Notes (maker / catalog)
Gel Stain Interior gel color on hard-to-stain woods ~300–500 sq ft/gal porous; ~6–8 hr dry; VOC ~550 g/L; do not thin
Fast Dry Stain Interior wood stain colors for furniture and trim Color range in half-pint, quart, and gallon sizes in catalog
Armor Interior water-based clear topcoat Flat, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss quarts in catalog
Ascend Exterior water-based clear protection Matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss options in catalog
Scratchide / putty Touch-up pens and putty sticks Color-matched repair products for scratches and small voids

Shop related: wood stains and gel stains, General Finishes gel stain, Varathane, protective finishes and topcoats, and the furniture refinishing cart.

FAQ

What is Old Masters gel stain best for?

Old Masters positions Gel Stain for intense, uniform color on woods that are hard to stain evenly (pine, poplar, maple, plywood, veneers) and for listed nonporous surfaces. The thick gel stays put for color control.

Do I need a topcoat over gel stain?

Yes for durability. Old Masters recommends their clear finishes. Most clears work; test lacquer for compatibility. For water-based topcoats, wait at least 24 hours after the stain.

Gel stain or Fast Dry stain?

Use gel when you want thick, controlled color with less blotching on hard-to-stain woods. Use Fast Dry Stain when you want a traditional liquid wood stain color from the Old Masters color range.

Is gel stain for decks?

No. Treat Old Masters Gel Stain as an interior color product. For exterior clear protection, look at Ascend Exterior in this collection; for deck color, use a dedicated exterior deck stain.

Filters

Old Masters Tung Oil Varnish, Quart

Old Masters Tung Oil Varnish, Quart

Old Masters
$35.66 - $35.66
$35.66
$35.66 - $35.66
$35.66

Old Masters Tung Oil Varnish, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Blend of tung oil and varnish Water and alcohol resistant finish Best f...

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$35.66 - $35.66
$35.66
$35.66 - $35.66
$35.66
Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Gloss, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absor...

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$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Semi-Gloss, 12 oz

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Semi-Gloss, 12 oz

Old Masters
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Semi-Gloss, 12 oz is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV ab...

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$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Satin, Quart

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Satin, Quart

Old Masters
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Satin, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absor...

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$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Quart

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Quart

Old Masters
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absor...

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$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
Old Masters Tung Oil, Pint

Old Masters Tung Oil, Pint

Old Masters
$27.80 - $27.80
$27.80
$27.80 - $27.80
$27.80

Old Masters Tung Oil, Pint is intended for interior use. Features Penetrating oil finish Water and alcohol resistant when finished Absorbs into wo...

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$27.80 - $27.80
$27.80
$27.80 - $27.80
$27.80
Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Semi-Gloss, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV ...

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$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
$28.73 - $28.73
$28.73
Manufacturer Old Masters Natural Walnut stain sample on oak
Old Masters Gel Stain, Natural Walnut, Half Pint

Old Masters Gel Stain, Natural Walnut, Half Pint

Old Masters
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07

Old Masters Gel Stain in Natural Walnut, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical...

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$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Pint

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Pint

Old Masters
$31.30 - $31.30
$31.30
$31.30 - $31.30
$31.30

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Pint is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorbers ...

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$31.30 - $31.30
$31.30
$31.30 - $31.30
$31.30
Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Gallon

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Gallon

Old Masters
$93.50 - $93.50
$93.50
$93.50 - $93.50
$93.50

Old Masters Ascend Exterior Water-Based Finish, Matte, Gallon is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV abso...

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$93.50 - $93.50
$93.50
$93.50 - $93.50
$93.50
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Gallon

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Gallon

Old Masters
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Gallon is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorber...

View full details
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Semi-Gloss, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorbers...

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$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, 13 oz

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, 13 oz

Old Masters
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, 13 oz is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Best for...

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$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Gallon

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Gallon

Old Masters
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Gallon is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorbers Ext...

View full details
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Aerosol, Semi-Gloss, 13 oz

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Aerosol, Semi-Gloss, 13 oz

Old Masters
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Aerosol, Semi-Gloss, 13 oz is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available she...

View full details
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
$19.68 - $19.68
$19.68
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Satin, 12 oz

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Satin, 12 oz

Old Masters
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish Aerosol, Clear Satin, 12 oz is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorbe...

View full details
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
$25.30 - $25.30
$25.30
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Half Pint

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Half Pint

Old Masters
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Half Pint is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Best...

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$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Half Pint

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Half Pint

Old Masters
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Half Pint is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens...

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$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
$13.24 - $13.24
$13.24
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Satin, Gallon

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Satin, Gallon

Old Masters
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Satin, Gallon is intended for exterior; selected interior window sills and door frames use. Features Flexib...

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$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
$116.66 - $116.66
$116.66
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Quart

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Quart

Old Masters
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Satin, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Best for...

View full details
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05

Old Masters Spar-Marine Varnish, Clear Gloss, Quart is intended for exterior; interior windowsills and door frames use. Features UV absorbers Exte...

View full details
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
$34.05 - $34.05
$34.05
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Semi-Gloss, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Bes...

View full details
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
Manufacturer Old Masters Pecan stain sample on oak
Old Masters Gel Stain, Pecan, Half Pint

Old Masters Gel Stain, Pecan, Half Pint

Old Masters
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07

Old Masters Gel Stain in Pecan, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood cov...

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$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
$15.07 - $15.07
$15.07
Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Gloss, Quart

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Gloss, Quart

Old Masters
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54

Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Gloss, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Best for...

View full details
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54
$27.54 - $27.54
$27.54