I get questions on a regular basis about how to use all the different stains (oil based, water based and stain “look-a-likes”. I did a video on this and decided to write out all the important details for you all in a blog as well. All products used in these videos are Dixie Belle Products and can be purchased here, and I do receive a thank you credit for each purchase so I want to thank you in advance for your support: DIXIE BELLE Online Store:
******Full Video Showing Each Option with Demo: Click Here*********
There are a few options available to get a stained finish to your furniture or home decor projects. Dixie Belle carries Voodoo Gel Stain (which is water based), No Pain Gel Stain (which is oil based) or you can mix a wash using the chalk mineral paint color of your choice mixed with water for a stained look as well. There are things you need to consider when deciding which products you want to use.
VooDoo Gel Stain: This is an amazing option for stain because it’s water based (yes, water based). You can apply this over paint, raw wood, layer it (apply different colors of Voodoo over each other to get a driftwood look or to make a custom color), use it as a glaze substitute or water it down to make it more of a color wash. Since it is a thin liquid (and not a true gel) it absorbs into porous surfaces to give your surface a beautiful touch of color and be able to highlight the natural wood grains. The Voodoo Gel Stain can be sealed with any of the Dixie Belle clear coats, waxes, and hemp oil. So many options to choose from, makes this product hard to beat. Voodoo Gel Stain comes in 7 colors : from left to right : Temptress (Teal), Bayou Moss (Earthy Green), White Magic, Tobacco Road (brown), Denim (blue), Up in Smoke (gray), Black Magic
Here is a video on how to use the Voodoo Gel Stains for a driftwood look:
No Pain Gel Stain (Oil Based): No Pain Gel Stain gives a more pigment coverage and is an actual “gel consistency” where as its water based counter part (the Voodoo Gel Stain is a liquid consistency and less pigmented). With its thicker consistency, it settles more “ontop” of your surface and does not required to be absorbed into the surface. This option is a great when you need to deepening the look of a factory finish…..yes, it can be applied over a factory finish (usually requires 2 coats when covering a factory finish). There are some things to keep in mind when using an oil based gel stain: 1) it takes longer to dry so its recommended you do not apply a clear coat for 3-5 days after your last application 2) For best results, its recommended to seal with a clear coat such as Dixie Belle’s water based clear coats. The gel base of this stain is not absorbent or porous, so it’s not recommended to use sealers that require to be absorbed such as hemp oils or waxes. The No Pain Gel Stain can be applied over raw wood, chalk painted surfaces, previously stained wood, and factory finishes. It comes in 6 color options (that can be mixed or layered for custom finishes): Georgian Cherry, Picklin White, Weathered Gray, Colonal Black, Espresso, Walnut
Here is a video on how to use the No Pain Gel Stain over a factory finish:
Color Wash as an alternative to stain: Don’t have stain on hand or want to make your own custom color stained look? You can also use your chalk paint and water it down (50/50 mix of water to paint ratio). With this option, you have the ease of application, with the ability to customize the color or tone you want, and can seal with any of the sealers (hemp oil, clear coats, waxes). Just think of the options: Pink stained look over raw wood….. that would be amazing !! I personally like to use Dixie Belle’s Coffee Bean (darkest brown) mixed as a wash and applied over raw wood…gorgeous. You don’t want to do this over a factory finish though. This can be done over raw wood or chalk paint.
Here is a video on how I used a color wash as an alternative to stain:
Tops are I think the most difficult part. Thanks for this Amy
You’re welcome Lynn <3 I agree, tops are sometimes the most difficult part.
Amy
Love your video’s!
We did the white wash 3 Voo Doo stains to a table that has a veneer finish in a star pattern. Turned out really gray so thinking about going over it with Espresso. We stayed with the grain in the star pattern with the Voo Doo……so my question is “do we need to apply the Espresso gel stain with the grain?”
Thank you
Terri H.
With the No Pain Gel Stain in the color Espresso, your first coat will show some of the grain through it so you would want to stay with the grain. If you are wanting to hide the star pattern, you can apply additional coats (wait for each coat to dry completely before apply the next coat) to get a solid color coverage hiding the star and that way you can just apply the gel stain in long strokes the length of the table. Gel Stains set more on top of your surface, where as other types of thinner/watery consistency stains absorb into your surface (which shows the grains). I hope this makes sense.
I have a question – I want to “antique” a piece I’ve painted with sawmill gravy. I’ve noticed a lot of people online using the voodoo stain over the top and wiping off. What’s advantage of doing that vs. a brown wax?
The advantage of using the Voodoo gel stain is that it dries quicker, other than that I don’t see one being more beneficial than the other. Voodoo is great for an “all over” antique look where you want larger areas to be done and the dark wax is better for antiquing corners and edges. It all a matter of personal opinion and choice of application. They both give a beautiful antique look .
help. if i painted slick stick on top already. Can i still put on NO PAIN GEL STAIN ESPRESSO
Put a coat of Dixie Belle paint over the Slick Stick and then use the No Pain Gel Stain for best results. I’ve used Dixie Belle Chocolate under the Espresso and it looks beautiful 🙂
Amy, I have a dresser top that had particle board that had swelled…. make a long story short I used sea spray, then sanded it down as smooth as I could because I didn’t want a chippy look. Then I saw I could add Dixie mud to the dips so I put that over the whole top. THEN I sealed with top coat because I saw you need to do that with the mud. NOW can I use No Pain Gel Stain over that? I have 2 coats of Clearcoat.
You will see the color difference between you furniture piece’s natural color top and the mud, so I would suggest putting a coat of paint over the sealer that you applied and then the gel stain to give an even color tone across the entire top. If not, you will see some color difference where the mud is (just like you see grains through stain…but you’ll see the mud areas). You can send pictures to my facebook page and I can better advice you is I can see exactly what you are working with.
Hi, I am working indoors; does No Pain Gel Stain have an odor? I like the coverage of No Pain Gel Stain more, but I don’t want to use anything toxic inside the house. Thank you!
Hi Maja,
The No Pain Gel Stain has a similar odor to other gel stains but I don’t feel its as strong as the order that you get from regular penetrating stains like Minwax. I use my No Pain Gel Stain in my garage with no issues. With any oil based products, it’s recommended to work in a well ventilated area or to wear a mask.
I have a couple of end tables in a reddish oak and wanted to stain them darker. I have a computer armoire that is a really dark brown that I was hoping to get them to look more like. Which stain Voodoo or No Pain should I use? Would I need to sand it to open up the grain?
Hi Helen,
You can use the No Pain Gel Stain over a factory finish without sanding down your finish to raw wood. You can message me on my facebook page and I can send you several videos showing you how its done. The No Pain Gel Stain in Espresso or Walnut both would give a richer color.
Is it recommended to use a wood conditioner on raw wood before applying no pain gel stain?
I never use wood conditioner anymore. You can if you wish, but when using gel stain I don’t find it necessary. 🙂
Hi. I have an antique dressing table that has a lot of damage to the top and I had to used a lot of dixie mud to repair it. I put on 2 coats of no pain gel stain in expresso but the mud areas look very “smudgy”. I just saw where you recommended painting first and the putting on no pain gel stain. Can I paint directly over the no pain gel stain or do I need to sand it really good or put on slick stick? Thank you.
You can paint over the No Pain Gel Stain as long as its fully dry or cured.
I have a chest of drawers that is made of laminate so I used Slick Stick then Silk. The drawers have a plastic resin-like wicker-look on the front. I just want those to be a walnut color instead of the light pine color. Can the gel stain go over it without first putting Slick Stick and changing the color?
You can apply No Pain Gel Stain over your paint (Silk and Chalk Mineral Paint).
Can you apply transfers over no pain gel stain?
Yes you can, just make sure the No Pain Gel Stain is completely dry (I usually wait about 7 days) and then apply the transfer.