Gel Stain Door HELP!
#1
03-31-18, 07:01 PM
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Gel Stain Door HELP!
Hello all! Well today I had my first DIY “fail”. I had a painted white fiberglass door that I wanted to gel stain to make look like wood. I got a wood grain tool and three different shades of gel stain. First I applied a thin layer on the darkest color of stain and used the wood grain tool (first pic below). After that dried I brushed on the final layer of stain (second pic). It started out ok but turned out way too dark for me in the end - so I took some laquer thinner to it in attempt to light up some of the darker spots (third pic).
Now I’m debating about what I can do to fix this. I wondered if I could get some regular wood stain in a lighter color to apply over everything? So it would fill in the white spots and go over the dark? Maybe paint mixed with water over it?
I wish I would have painted the door before staining to begin with - I think it went on too dark because I was trying to cover white spots.
If I have to I’ll strip the whole thing or paint white over it again ( if that’s possible). I’m just trying to salvage what I have if I can.
Here are good example of what I was going for (not the color):
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/528891549983346153/
http://https://www.pinterest....9699597984748/
Now I’m debating about what I can do to fix this. I wondered if I could get some regular wood stain in a lighter color to apply over everything? So it would fill in the white spots and go over the dark? Maybe paint mixed with water over it?
I wish I would have painted the door before staining to begin with - I think it went on too dark because I was trying to cover white spots.
If I have to I’ll strip the whole thing or paint white over it again ( if that’s possible). I’m just trying to salvage what I have if I can.
Here are good example of what I was going for (not the color):
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/528891549983346153/
http://https://www.pinterest....9699597984748/
Last edited by baileyjumper; 03-31-18 at 07:37 PM.
#3
03-31-18, 07:07 PM
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#4
03-31-18, 07:11 PM
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Yes, strip the door to get all the paint off first. You apply the gel stain to the bare, clean stripped fiberglass... not on top of paint.
#5
03-31-18, 07:27 PM
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Yes, strip the door to get all the paint off first. You apply the gel stain to the bare, clean stripped fiberglass... not on top of paint.
Every tutorial I read started with paint as a base - whether it was existing or new.
#6
03-31-18, 07:33 PM
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Finally got the images to work.... they are in order.... first is where I started, last is where I am with it thinned out.
#7
03-31-18, 08:15 PM
Group Moderator
Check out the video in this link for an example of how to finish a fiberglass door.
https://www.thermatru.com/customer-s...day-stain-kit/
https://www.thermatru.com/customer-s...day-stain-kit/
#8
03-31-18, 08:27 PM
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Thanks. My door does not have any wood grain but that is the order I stained in after applying the faux grain. The color just came out too dark for my liking. Now I’m just debating about if I should just remove all the stain entirely, put a lighter shade over it, or paint over it.
#9
04-01-18, 03:05 AM
It looks like you are trying to apply a faux wood finish. You normally start out with a darker color paint that will show thru the stain. I'd suggest sanding lightly and apply a base coat, then start over with your gel stains.
#10
04-01-18, 08:42 AM
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[QUOTE=marksr;2694950]It looks like you are trying to apply a faux wood finish. You normally start out with a darker color paint that will show thru the stain. I'd suggest sanding lightly and apply a base coat, then start over with your gel stains.[/QUOTE
Thanks, that sounds like a good idea! Darker paint, then lighter stain? Many of the tutorials I saw started with an orange/peach color as the base. I thought I could get away with skipping that step..... nope!
Woukd you still suggest doing two layers of stain? One with the grain tool and one brushed over? Or just one?
Thanks, that sounds like a good idea! Darker paint, then lighter stain? Many of the tutorials I saw started with an orange/peach color as the base. I thought I could get away with skipping that step..... nope!
Woukd you still suggest doing two layers of stain? One with the grain tool and one brushed over? Or just one?
#11
04-01-18, 12:19 PM
It's been decades since I've done any wood graining and there are different products available today that should make it easier. Normally the base coat will be lighter than the stain color. The stain/glaze is usually darker and allows the base coat to peak thru.
