[SeaChips]

I recently purchased some blanks from a very reputable woodcarving store. Bottom line is - the wood is so dry! The carving is absolutely great (not bragging), but it took the stain like a spotted leopard even with sealer. Normally, I have been using some minwax gel stain and thin it down a bit, but this time, I used another brand "V", and that wood soaked up that stain like a "thirsty witch sucking on a straw"! This is a piece that I had carved as a Christmas present for the Chpster90bu, now I am ready to throw it away. What a disheartening experience. Can I paint over stain? Or should I try to strip this stain (which I think is impossible since it soaked it up so bad). I waited a couple of hours and then applied some gel stain and did NOT wipe it off just to cover the mess of stain beneath it. I think I have a mess. Can someone help me before I throw this piece away?
Gwen

[Eddy Smiles]

Gwen... I doubt very seriously that you can strip the stain without radically harming the integrity of the carving. I would have recommended that you reseal the wood, apply a primer, and then paint but with the gel stain I just don't know. If I was in your boots I'd probably try to give it a mineral spirits wash, then after that dried give it a detergent wash, then after that dried, seal and paint it. Throwing it away would be my last resort because if nothing else I'd use this as a learning experience in the event I duplicated the situation in the future.

[SeaChips]

Eddy, as I mentioned earlier that I put that gel stain on and didn't wipe it off, so I'm wondering if this dries as it is right now, I might can get away with the looks of it. This gel stain covered the leopard spots on it. I thought if this ever dried, then I would go ahead and put the finish on it. Do you think that gel stain will stay stable enough to accept the finish without actually running?

[Eddy Smiles]

Gwen... You're way above my pay grade. I have absolutely no idea how the gel stain will perform. If no one on this forum comes up with an answer you might try emailing the manufacturer of the gel-stain. It will probably take a couple of days but eventually they usually respond.

[Ashbys]

Hi Gwen ,

Can you gives us a bit more information.
What type of wood?
What is the stain base of the first stain?
What color stain did you use?

I am sure you can paint over the stain, just make sure if you do that you use the same base.

Water/ water paint
Oil /Oil paint

Some stains when applied can have other stains or clear naturals which can blend the color to a milder tint. The wood type is a big part of answer.

Ash

[Ron Davidson]

Before I ever stain anything I use a stain preconditioner. That will stop the spots or bloching. It sounds like what a pine usually does.
Ron

[Tom H]

If I'm not mistaken, Gel Stain is used on metal doors, and grained to look like wood. I have used it to rescue stain that blotched on pine. It will take longer to dry, but it might be worth your wait....Tom H

[Scott Hagerty]

If worse comes to worse you might try deck cleaner with oxacylic acid in it. I haven't had to try it but it might work.

Let us know how your solution came out, with pics!!!

Scott