What is the Difference Between Gel Stain and Glaze?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between gel stain and glaze lies in their composition and application:
- Gel Stain:
- Gel stains are oil-based products.
- They are applied to wood surfaces to build them up, similar to a paint layer.
- Gel stains contain a binder, usually a thin oil-based varnish, to lock in the color and allow multiple coats without lifting previous coats of stain.
- They provide a deep, rich hue due to a large amount of colorants.
- Glaze:
- Glazes are water-based products.
- They are applied over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect.
- Glazes contain a lot more pigment with a lot less binder or no binder at all, and they are usually layered between coats of finish.
- A glaze is essentially a second coat of stain, providing an extra layer of color.
Both gel stain and glaze are used to improve the appearance of wood-based products. However, gel stains are more suitable for new wood surfaces and can be used as a base for other finishes or colors, while glazes are typically applied over stained or painted wood surfaces to create a more antiqued or distressed look.
Comparative Table: Gel Stain vs Glaze
Here is a table comparing the differences between gel stain and glaze:
| Property | Gel Stain | Glaze |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Oil-based | Water-based |
| Application | Applied to wood surfaces to build them up, similar to a paint layer | Applied over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect |
| Color Change | Surface remains the same color, does not penetrate the wood | Creates an antiqued effect on the wood |
| Texture | Allows the underlying texture of the wood to be felt | Can be smooth or textured depending on the technique used |
| Usage | Alternative to traditional stains or paints | Enhances the appearance of wood-based products |
| Topcoat | Requires a topcoat to seal the stain and prevent "color pull" when applying glaze | Topcoat needed if applying water-based finishes over oil-based finishes |
| Application Order | Apply topcoat between gel stain and glaze for better results | Apply water-based finishes 72 hours after oil-based finishes |
In summary, gel stain is an oil-based product applied to wood surfaces to build them up, similar to paint, while glaze is a water-based product applied over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect. Gel stain does not change the color of the surface, whereas glaze enhances the appearance of wood-based products with an antiqued look.
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