Old Masters

Old Masters wood stains and clear finishes are for homeowners and woodworkers finishing furniture, cabinets and interior floors. Gel Stain provides a highly pigmented, oil-based option for color, while Masters Armor provides an interior water-based clear finish for floors. Choose by the surface and the job.

Old Masters is a wood stain, clear finish and wood care brand. It calls Iowa home. It’s part of a family-owned business operating since 1926.

Choosing between Gel Stain and Wiping Stain

Old Masters Gel Stain is highly pigmented and oil-based. Wiping Stain has a thick, rich formula. If you’re looking for a highly pigmented oil-based stain, Gel Stain answers that requirement directly.

For the finished appearance, compare samples on wood from your project. Old Masters lists 22 standard stain colors, including Carbon Black, and offers ways to create custom colors. A color guide helps narrow the choice; your wood and preparation affect the result. Carry the sample through the intended clear finish before you judge the color.

Getting an even stain color

With Gel Stain’s highly pigmented formula, consistent application matters. Prepare the whole surface evenly, work manageable areas and wipe the excess uniformly with the grain, following the can’s application and wiping directions. On a large panel, plan the work so you can handle the excess while it’s still workable.

Glue residue interferes with stain absorption and can leave a pale patch in an otherwise even surface. Check joints closely and remove the residue before staining.

With Wiping Stain’s thick consistency, pay attention to cabinet-door corners and molding profiles. Excess left in a recess can create a dark patch. Check those pockets as you work.

Old Masters Water-Based Wood Stain provides a fast-drying, semi-transparent option for wood projects.

Matching the clear finish to the surface

Masters Armor is an interior water-based clear finish intended for floors. For an interior floor, start with that line. Give edges and corners the same preparation as the open floor, since remnants of an old finish can be easy to miss there.

Masters Armor Part B Hardener is for use with Masters Armor only.

Old Masters Tung Oil is a penetrating finish for bare interior wood with a hand-rubbed appearance.

Ascend Exterior is a water-based clear finish designed for exterior application.

Spar-Marine Varnish suits exterior wood doors, railings and lawn furniture; its excluded uses are decks, steps, wood siding, log homes and wood boats below the waterline.

Stain and finish specifications

Product line	Formula or finish characteristics
Gel Stain	Highly pigmented, oil-based stain
Wiping Stain	Thick, rich stain formula
Masters Armor	Interior water-based clear finish; intended for floors

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you apply Old Masters Gel Stain?

Test Old Masters Gel Stain on a scrap from your project using the same sanding and wiping method you’ll use on the finished piece. Work manageable areas and wipe excess evenly with the grain, following the can’s directions for timing. Those same preparation and testing habits matter when you’re applying Wiping Stain, too. Don’t judge the color while the stain is still wet.

What’s the difference between Old Masters Gel Stain and Wiping Stain?

Old Masters Gel Stain is highly pigmented and oil-based; Wiping Stain has a thick, rich formula. Thickness alone isn’t a reason to expect the same color from both. Compare finished samples on your project wood before settling on one.

What colors does Old Masters stain come in?

Old Masters stain has 22 standard colors, including Carbon Black, and custom colors can also be created. Use a color chart to narrow your choices, then test on your wood. A printed swatch can’t show how your wood’s own color will affect the result.

How do you apply Old Masters Tung Oil?

Apply Old Masters Tung Oil to clean, dry, bare interior wood with a lint-free cloth, then wipe off the excess after coating the entire area. Let the first coat dry and rub it with 0000 steel wool before applying a second coat. Don’t apply more coats than the wood can absorb. Used cloths, steel wool and sanding waste can spontaneously catch fire, so immediately place them in a sealed, water-filled metal container and dispose of them according to local fire regulations.

What is Old Masters Masters Armor used for?

Old Masters Masters Armor is an interior water-based clear finish promoted for floors. It provides the clear finish over the surface rather than the stain color. If you’re using Part B Hardener, it’s for this finish only.