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.
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.
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?
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-