Asked by: Dulcelina Ravikanth
hobbies and interests woodworking

Can you put stain over polyurethane?

Last Updated: 21st May, 2020

25
It's not a common practice, but you can apply stain -- if it's gel stain -- over polyurethane. It won't penetrate like stain, so you won't get the same grain patterns. Think of gel stain as a type of opaque paint. If you really want to change the color without stripping, gel stain can do it.

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Consequently, can you mix stain with polyurethane?

One step stain and polyurethane finishes for wood have become popular in recent years. The limited number of available colors in the stain is a major downfall, but a person can mix the stain and polyurethane himself to get the shade he wants.

One may also ask, do you have to remove polyurethane before staining? Coating Selection Polyurethane stain blends are available in the most-common wood stain colors. They are applied over the old finish, and aren't designed to soak in, so you don't have to sand or strip off the polyurethane.

Also to know, can you stain over water based polyurethane?

2 Answers. This should be ok if you gave the stain 3-4 days to properly dry out. You'll want the oil-based drying agent to completely vaporize from the stain before applying the water-based finish. You may apply the Minwax Water Based Polyurethane over a fully cured Minwax Wood Finish Stain (oil-based).

Can you stain over finished wood?

It is possible to apply stain over varnish, as long as you aren't expecting results similar to those when staining untreated wood that drinks in the stain. Clean and rough-up the varnish first to remove any grime, dust or debris and also to give the surface some texture the stain can cling to.

Related Question Answers

Robertina Meneghetti

Professional

How long after staining can I apply polyurethane?

24-48 hours

Lourie Oberem

Professional

Do you need polyurethane after staining?

The polyurethane should be applied in light, even coats, always brushing with the grain.

Haiyan Gutleb

Professional

Can you mix polyurethane with mineral spirits?

To seal the wood before top coating, thin your oil-based polyurethane to one part mineral spirits and two parts polyurethane (first, gently stir the contents in the can). Pour the products into a glass jar and gently stir the mixture with a flat stir stick. NOTE: Never shake a can of polyurethane!

Badreddine Mujitskikh

Explainer

Do you have to put a clear coat over stain?

Do I have to apply a clear coat after staining? While staining creates a rich, deep color that highlights natural wood grain, it does not provide long-term protection. Without a protective top coat, wood can be damaged easily due to contact with water, food, or sharp objects.

Dot Erny

Explainer

Can I add wood stain to polyurethane?

Minwax® PolyShades® enhances wood grain by combining beautiful rich stain color and long-lasting polyurethane protection in one easy step. It can also be used over polyurethane finishes, so you can change the color of your finished wood, without removing the existing finish.

Cindy Viera

Pundit

Can you tint Wipe on Poly?

tinting wipe-on poly. Wipe on varnish, including polyurethane varnish, have a high concentratiion of mineral spirits. Besides, its just not a good idea. If you were spraying you wouldn't want to spray oil-based poly, but something better suited, a lacquer derivative, or a waterborne specifically designed for spraying.

Adriane Alayeto

Pundit

How do you apply clear coat to stained wood?

Most clear finishes are applied with a brush, working in the direction of the grain of the wood. After it dries, sand lightly. Then remove all the sanding dust and apply a second coat. For added durability, a third coat can be applied.

Ramonita Belhaj

Pundit

Which is better oil based or water based polyurethane?

COLOR: Oil based poly has an amber hue, whereas water based poly is clear. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. Water based poly dries much faster, and several coats (up to 4) can be applied in one day.

Draguta Niemayer

Pundit

Can you apply oil based polyurethane over water based stain?

ANSWER: Yes! but the underlying finish has to be absolutely dry. When using a water based topcoat over an oil based stain, allow oil based finishes, such as Java Gel Stain, to dry at least 72 hours before coating with a water based topcoat. - Oil based finishes amber over time.

Hasnaa Bergantiños

Teacher

Can you stain without sanding?

Not all staining projects require sanding, especially if you purchase new, already sanded cabinets. However, you can also avoid sanding if you wish to re-stain old cabinets that have no major dents or scratches that need intricate repairs. Staining old cabinets gives new life to your kitchen.

Tamari Petrea

Teacher

How do you strip polyurethane?

Part 3 Scrubbing off Polyurethane
  1. Use a scraper to scrub it down.
  2. Use a steel brush to get into small areas.
  3. Rub the polyurethane down with after wash.
  4. Repeat as needed.
  5. Sand the surface to remove polyurethane.
  6. Soak your discarded rags and steel wool in water to avoid fires.

Mycola Kuepper

Teacher

Can you add color to polyurethane?

So polyurethane clear finishes don't have to be used over colored surfaces, but they can be tinted to make them have a bit of color no matter what they're used over, or can in some cases be made into an opaque paint (that's kind of what acrylic paints are).

Baldiri Danas

Reviewer

How do you seal stained wood?

Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible. Let the sealed wood dry completely, then sand the surface very lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Remove the sanding debris with a tack cloth.

Janean Tuganov

Reviewer

What kind of brush do you use to apply polyurethane?

Apply polyurethane using a bristle or foam brush about 2″ wide. Foam works well and eliminates the chore of cleaning, because the brushes are cheap and thus disposable. You can apply the first coat full strength or thinned up to half with paint thinner, making, in effect, a wiping varnish.

Valeriana Appelmann

Reviewer

What happens if you stain over stain?

If the object you're hoping to stain has been sealed with a topcoat, you won't be able to restain it, but you can go over it with a coating or a colored stain blend. As an alternative, you could color the wood with an oil-based paint, but the opacity of the oil-based paints can hide the grains.

Alline Hynna

Reviewer

Does polyurethane darken stain?

Oil based polyurethane will darken some woods and some stains slightly. The three layer technique will give you a uniform dark color without making the wood look painted, but consistent color does depend somewhat on good spraying skills for the last color coat.

Ahtisham Lidueña

Supporter

How does Polyurethane affect stain color?

Oil-based poly has an amber tone that can dramatically change the color of stained or unstained wood. Water-based polyurethane affects the color only slightly. The same stain was used on the samples shown in this photo.

Marybelle Goyanes

Supporter

Can you glaze on top of polyurethane?

You can change the tone of your cabinets -- without the hassle of stripping and restaining -- by glazing right over their existing polyurethane finish. A glaze is essentially a clear finish with added pigment that renders it translucent. Oil-based polyurethane and epoxy resin glazes work best on cured polyurethane.

Sughran Lakidain

Supporter

Does second coat of stain darken wood?

Leave the stain on the wood longer before wiping it off. Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. This will usually produce a darker coloring, but it adds a step to the process and slows production.

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21st May, 2020

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