The outlook of an unwiped stain on wood looks nice to many. But the problem is, many times the stain dries off and does not look tacky which is great. So many think that it’s now okay to leave it on as it looks fine.
So, can you leave a stain on without wiping?
It is a basic rule of thumb to wipe off the excess stain. Sometimes, it may not look as tacky. But, it can directly impact your wood by leaving scratches. Over time, as it dries off, it may eventually flake off. It causes the finishing coat to not adhere properly. Hence, it results in uneven color distribution.
If you really want that unwiped stain outlook, there’s a way though. Read along to know!
SKIP AHEAD
3 Reasons Leaving the Stain Unwiped Is a Big No-No!
The importance of wiping off the excess stain is well known. But many of you don’t know the reasons why.
Reason 1: Makes the Woodwork Have a Tacky Finish
This reason is the most basic one. Stains are meant to be absorbed into the wood. Not to be left on as paint.
Stains are naturally made in such a way that it adheres any finishing coat or paint over it. This applies to all types of wood finishes that you use over the stain.
So, if we leave the stain on without wiping, it takes forever to dry. So, the finishing gets all patchy here and there.
Another problem arises if you don’t wipe off the excess and apply another finishing coat over it. As you apply another coat over the undried and unwiped stain, the finishing coat does not dry off either.
So, it causes adherence issues. The finishing coat may just flake off after a year or so.
However, a good quality coat might last longer than that. That’s where we want to help by presenting you our top choices-
Reason 2: Uneven Color Distribution On the Wood
You can even paint over wood if you did not know. But, to do it properly, the stain has to dry off completely. So for that reason, you need to get it wiped off.
Why is the drying off stain related to how the paint would look over the wood? This is also due to the same reason as that of the ones for finishing coats. There are even paints that look like wood.
When you apply the paint, it may spread out evenly throughout the wood surface. But, it doesn’t adhere to the wood. It only sits superficially on the surface.
So, after a week or two, the paint would start getting uneven throughout the surface. Patches may also develop here and there.
Reason 3: Makes the Wood More Vulnerable to Damage
Sometimes, you may get lucky as the stain would dry off. The color of it may look good. And you would want to leave it that way. But, it’s totally a bad idea.
Not wiping the stain does not only impact how the wood looks. It also impacts the health of the wood.
Stain does not really have many protective properties for wood. And so, what happens in the long run?
Scratches develop on the wood even if you place a mug over the surface. Over time, the moisture from the air is absorbed by the wood. So, the expansion of wood during humid weather becomes so common that it gets annoying.
Also, the stain may look like it has dried. But underneath, it actually has not. This in turn causes adherence issues in the long run. Bubbles and blisters may develop in the topcoats after some time.
It would not be seen right away after the application. Rather, it might be visible after 3 to 4 months.
So it’s better if you just wipe off the excess stain using lacquer thinners. Here are some good quality lacquer thinners that you can choose from-
These are some of the best lacquer thinners in the market. So, you can try them out yourselves. They won’t disappoint you.
Alternative Way to Achieve the Unwiped Stain Look
Are you one of those who love the look of an unwiped stain on wood? Then we have a better alternative solution for you!
Regular stains and oil stains cause disaster when you leave them unwiped. But, gel stains are different. So, you should go for gel stains if you want that outlook.
And the best part is, you can use gel stains on any possible wood finishes.
The gel stain has to be applied in a generous amount with a brush. Wait for 3 minutes. Then wipe off the excess. Leave it to dry for 8-10 hours. The application process for gel stains is no different than the normal ones.
Wondering where to look for gel stain polish? Don’t worry, we got you. We’ve gathered a list of products for your convenience-
Finally, you’ll have that stained look that you wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How long can stains sit before wiping off?
Answer: If you want a light tone on your wood, you can wipe off the excess stain immediately. And, if you want a deeper tone, then you can let the stain sit on the wood for about 10 minutes. Then you can wipe off the excess gently.
Question: Will the stain eventually dry?
Answer: If the stain does not dry 12 hours after wiping it off, then it would not. It would remain just as tacky. This might have happened if you did not apply the stain systematically. So, to solve the problem, you have to sand the surface and reapply the stain properly.
Question: What happens if you put polyurethane over tacky stains?
Answer: The polyurethane would adhere to the stain than on the wood. So, after a few weeks, the whole thing would just peel off.
Wrapping Up
It is essential to go by the thumb rules so that your efforts pay off. Wiping off the stain is not much work. Its benefits go a long way.
So what do you think? Can you leave a stain on without wiping?
We would love to know your opinions and experiences.
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