Because oil-based stain dry times vary so much, check the back of your can to see what your specific brand recommends.
Unlike water and oil-based stains, gel stains act more like a sealant. They don’t really penetrate the wood, but cover it, which protects the wood from damage.
Always wear a respirator mask, a pair of gloves, and work in a well-ventilated area when using lacquer. Breathing in or touching lacquer can be uncomfortable and even dangerous.
Water-soluble dye fades quickly in direct light, so it might not be the best stain for outdoor projects. Unlike water-soluble dyes, metalized dye stains can be mixed into either water, alcohol, or lacquer thinner. Using alcohol or lacquer thinner can make your dry time shorter, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. This type of dye also doesn’t fade.
In most areas, humidity is highest early in the morning. Check your weather before staining, but afternoon is likely to be your best bet.
When staining indoors, work in a well-ventilated area while wearing a respirator mask and gloves. Most stains release heavy fumes that you don’t want to breathe in.
The pores in softwoods also mean that stains tend to turn out more blotchy and uneven compared to hardwoods. If you’re working with softwood, add a pre-stain or wood conditioner before you start staining. This helps fill in pores, which can give you a more even finish.
Wiping up excess stain will help it dry faster too. Let your stain sit for 10 to 15 minutes then wipe the wood with a clean, dry rag. Be sure to sand your wood to a smooth finish before staining too. This helps you apply even coats of stain. If your stain is coming out blotchy and tacky, fix it by adding another coat. Let the stain sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe it away with a dry rag. The new layer of stain dissolves the stain of your previous coat so it wipes right off, leaving behind what was able to penetrate the wood. [15] X Research source
With oil-based stains, you might notice that it doesn’t smell as strong. This can be a sign that the stain is dry. Gel stains can continue to feel slightly tacky even when they’re dry. To test if this stain is dry, try to scrape off the stain with your fingernail. Just choose an area that you won’t see if it does come off!
Most sealants take about 8 hours to dry, but need a full 24 hours to completely cure. [21] X Research source
