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.
Old Masters Oil-Based Sanding Sealer, Clear, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Oil-Based Sanding Sealer, Clear, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Sandable basecoat Clear One coat seals Best forBare inte...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Natural, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Natural Gel Stain, Quart, is an oil-based alkyd tint base for tested wood finishing and lightening other Old Masters Gel Stain colors. ...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Pickling White, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Pickling White, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical woo...
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Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Aerosol, Gloss, 13 oz
Old Masters
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Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane Aerosol, Gloss, 13 oz is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens B...
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Old Masters Oil-Based Gel Polyurethane, Satin, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Oil-Based Gel Polyurethane, Satin, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Thick gel clear finish Hand-applied satin sheen No san...
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Old Masters Oil-Based Gel Stain, 818 American Walnut, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Oil-Based Gel Stain, 818 American Walnut, Quart. 818 American Walnut, Clear, Quart. Features A highly pigmented gelled stain Easy appli...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Natural Walnut, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Natural Walnut, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical woo...
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Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Gloss, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Oil-Based Polyurethane, Gloss, Half Pint is intended for interior use. Features Self-leveling clear finish Three available sheens Best...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Golden Oak, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Golden Oak, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood co...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Golden Oak, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Golden Oak, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical woo...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Cedar, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Cedar, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood coverag...
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Old Masters Water-Based Clear Finish, Gloss, Gallon
Old Masters
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FeaturesProvides long-lasting durability and beautySpecs Color or finish Clear Sheen Gloss Selected size Gallon Base water VOC 75001 SDS: ...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Cedar, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Cedar, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood cov...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Early American, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Early American, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical woo...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Spanish Oak, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Spanish Oak, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wo...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Early American, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Early American, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Cherry, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Cherry, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood covera...
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Old Masters High Solids Penetrating Stain, Dark Mahogany, Gallon
Old Masters
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Old Masters High Solids Penetrating Stain, Dark Mahogany, Gallon. Dark Mahogany, Clear, Gallon. Features Fast drying stain for interior wood surfac...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Pecan, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Pecan, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood coverag...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Cherry, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Cherry, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood co...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Red Mahogany, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Red Mahogany, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft fr...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Maple, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Maple, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood coverag...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Dark Mahogany, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Dark Mahogany, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical ...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Red Mahogany, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Red Mahogany, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood ...
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