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How to Apply Water Based Finish Over Oil Based Stain

The number one question I’m asked is…

“Can I apply your water based finish over oil-based stain?”

As you’ll see in the video above, the answer is… YES!

And I’ll show you exactly how to do it.

It’s not complicated, but there are some steps that must be performed in the right way…

And in the right order.

So, give the video a look, then let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions or personal experiences applying water based finish over oil based stains.

7 thoughts on “How to Apply Water Based Finish Over Oil Based Stain”

  1. Stephen Portner

    Thanks Jeff. I use a lot of gel stains for refinishing or trying to get a specific effect. I’ve had problems before with my clear coats turning purple over dark stains. I usually use either General Finishes or Old Masters. I’ve been letting the stains dry at least 24 hours and most of the time 36 or greater. Wipe with 50/50 then a very light coat of Ultraseal and have had pretty good luck with going over these types of stains. If I don’t wait for that long, I find I’m picking up stain and moving it around and that’s not a very nice look. Thanks for expanding on the process.

  2. What about underneath an oil based stain as a pre stain conditioner? Can the EM1000 be used as a pre stain conditioner on maple wood to prevent blotching, with a minwax oil based stain next, and then finishing with EM6000? Or maybe Em1000, oil based stain, EM1000 tack coat, Em6000 final coats?

    1. MJ – It is best not to use EM1000 as a prestain sealer underneath an oil/solvent-based stain without creating a test panel to confirm that the two different products are compatible.
      If you do find that the two products work in unison then proceed.

      -JW-

  3. Jerry Marshall

    I am preparing to finish a steamers trunk with an oil based stain followed by a light coat of water based poly followed by a water based glaze effects finish. Finally with two coats of water based poly. Do I need to wipe down the stained surface with the 50/50 denatured alcohol before applying the poly? Are there any other nuances I should be aware of?

    1. Jerry,

      Yes, we always recommend the wiping down of oil based products after they have thoroughly dried with a solution of 1:1 water and denatured or isopropyl alcohol. This ensures the surface is clean from any residual oils or wax that might be on the surface after the product has dried. We also recommend that your first coat over the stain be very thin to help with bonding to oil based product.

      -SK

  4. I am a painting contractor. My work with fence stain is limited. My customer has a nice, eight foot fence and appears to have a rich oil stain on it. She wants to have a solid or semi solid stain on it. Those products seem to be waterborne stains, which is what I have found at Sherwin Williams. My question is; can I put this water based stain over that transparent oil stain? If so, what prep work is involved?

    1. Hi David,

      Thanks for commenting on this post. We do not recommend our stains for this type of application. These stains are designed for interior projects or light duty exterior projects and they need to be topcoated with the appropriate clear coat. They are not a finishing exterior deck or siding stain. I recommend you look for an alternate product. Thank you for your interest in our coatings.

      -Seth Kline

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