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 Gel Stain, Maple, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Maple, 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, Fruitwood, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Fruitwood, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood cov...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Dark Mahogany, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Dark Mahogany, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Special Walnut, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Special Walnut, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical woo...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Pickling White, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Pickling White, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Early American, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Early American, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft ...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Fruitwood, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Fruitwood, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood...
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Old Masters High Solids Penetrating Stain, Provincial, Gallon
Old Masters
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Features Fast drying stain for interior wood surfaces Fills, seals and provides deep, rich color Enhances natural beauty without raising the grain ...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Red Mahogany, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Red Mahogany, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical w...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Special Walnut, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Special Walnut, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Spanish Oak, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Gel Stain in Spanish Oak, Quart, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible nonporous surfaces. For practical wood c...
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Old Masters Gel Stain, Natural, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Natural Gel Stain, Half Pint, is an oil-based alkyd tint base for tested wood finishing and lightening other Old Masters Gel Stain colo...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Maple, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Maple, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft from this...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Provincial, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Provincial, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft from...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Natural Tint Base, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Natural Tint Base Wiping Stain, Half Pint, is an interior oil-based tint base for tested custom finishes and lightening other Old Maste...
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Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner, Gallon
Old Masters
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$106.38
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Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner, Gallon is the Clear, Gallon item in this product line. Features Clear pre-stain sealer Helps even stain abso...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Cherry, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Cherry, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft from thi...
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Old Masters Wiping Stain, Golden Oak, Half Pint
Old Masters
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Old Masters Wiping Stain in Golden Oak, Half Pint, adds oil-based color to prepared interior wood and compatible surfaces. Plan about 31 sq ft from...
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Old Masters Water-Based Wood Stain, Natural Tint Base, Gallon
Old Masters
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Old Masters Water-Based Wood Stain, Natural Tint Base, Gallon is intended for interior use. Features Semi-transparent Two currently listed ready-m...
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Gloss, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Gloss, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Clear finish Self-sealing Part B hardener optio...
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Semi-Gloss, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Semi-Gloss, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Clear finish Self-sealing Part B hardener ...
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Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Low VOC Wood Conditioner, Quart is the Clear, Quart item in this product line. Features Clear pre-stain sealer Helps even stain absorp...
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Flat, Quart
Old Masters
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Old Masters Armor Interior Water-Based Finish, Flat, Quart is intended for interior use. Features Clear finish Self-sealing Part B hardener option...
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Old Masters Water-Based Wood Stain, Pickling White, Half Pint
Old Masters
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$13.68
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Old Masters Water-Based Wood Stain, Pickling White, Half Pint is intended for interior use. Features Semi-transparent Two currently listed ready-m...
View full details
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