[Crested Barbet]

Hi
I see some carvers use gels to colour.
For what do you use it and where can I get it?
Thanks

[AlArchie]

"Gel" is just a very thick, pastey stain. It comes in all the colors regular liquid stain does, but has the advantage of not running and puddling on low areas of your carving or woodwork.

It's available in most hardware, paint, art and craft stores that normally handle stains. It can be used to accentuate cuts in carvings, by applying it to the entire piece, then wiping it off. It will be retained in cut lines, thin low areas or any deep narow parts of the carving. After setting for a while it can then be carefully wiped out of those areas and they will be stained darker than the areas wiped off first. You can accomplish the same effects with liquid stain if you montor the process a little closer.

I've tried it, but am not particularly fond of it, but there are friends of mine that swear by it! Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks! Try it, and if you like it better than regular stain, you are ahead of the game, and if ya don't, you're only out a couple bucks, and one project! Actually, the project is still salvageable by wiping the piece down with paint thinner or mineral spirits, before the stuff sets too firmly.

Minwax makes these products, and there are several other stores that market their own brands (Ace Hardware, Tru Value, etc) and I think I've seen a couple other major paint manufactures selling the stuff. Just ask at your hardware/paint store. They probably even have someone that can give you advice on using it.

Al