Minwax Gel Stain for Interior Wood Surfaces, Quart, Aged Oak

We are total novices. This was our first project in our new home and we absolutely LOVE how the stain came out. It seems to dry quickly—it became quite tacky after first applying, so it took a little more elbow grease to wipe off the excess than we initially anticipated, but even noobs like us were able to figure it out! We're thrilled with the final look!

After a good amount of research, I purchased this product in Aged Oak color to makeover my basic white garage doors and give them a faux wood-look. If you’ve never used or purchased gel stain before, don’t be alarmed when you first open it and see that it is very thick, basically a pudding consistency - it’s supposed to be like this. Also, don’t shake it! Gently mix it with a paint stirrer avoiding making any bubbles. Of course stain looks a lot darker in the can than it goes on, as well. I did not prime the garage doors, but instead just cleaned them really well by power washing them and then scrubbing them with TSP Cleaner. I let the doors sit overnight to ensure they were completely dry. The stain does dry to the touch relatively quickly once applied so I don’t recommend using it outside on a windy day or in direct sunlight. I was able to do both garage doors as pictured with about 2/3 of one can, which leaves extra for touch ups. If you’re looking for a darker or more even color look, you may want to either prime first or paint the doors with a light brown or yellow paint, depending on the color you’re going for. This would help give it a more even color consistency when painting on the stain. You could also just do a quick coat with a cloth instead of a brush for a lighter color and then do a quick second coat with a chip brush. I used a Wooster stain paint brush for the application, but for this project, if I were to do it again, I’d probably use a cheap chip brush to get more brush strokes over the pattern in the door, but I just used whatever I had on hand. In hindsight, I should’ve just taken the half hour to run out and get the brush I wanted to use. All in all, I’d definitely recommend. Based on how this worked for my garage doors, I have no doubt this would work for just about anything across the board.

I was a little skeptical when I first opened the can and it looked like jello, but, after stirring it, it became creamier. Don't let the color of the stain fool you as the Aged Oak I purchased looked totally black when I opened the can. On application, though, it was exactly like shown on the can. This product was easy to use and went on evenly. I ended up using a rag to apply the stain, as using a brush seemed to cause it to be too heavy and dark. It took 2 coats of this stain with a rag to get the even finish I liked. I would definitely use this product again. I find it much more consistent than using a liquid stain.

When I moved into my house, we had these faux wood pattern on these labeled doors. I want a fan and one door we always look at because it is at our entrance and also visible from our playroom. I bought this gel stain to use on the door since it had the wood pattern engrained in it. It was easy to use. It dried very quickly in the door. I didn’t realize how quickly it would dry and then not be able to be manipulated for a more even finish. The color is pretty and for the most part I like how it came out but it takes a few days to cure at which the color faded, and like I said the stain ended up uneven. Overall it still did the job for me and it’s better than having the ugly white door previously there. I added a greenery wreath and it made a big difference in the look. I did use finishing wax when I thought the stain was dry and it took the stain right off! Be careful of the true dry time

Purchased this get stain to use on a bench. I saw online that you can use this over paint. I didn’t feel like sanding down my bench, so I just applied it right over a tan coat of paint. It works great. I used a brush to apply it then I used another brush to wipe it off after about 30-60 seconds. it was the perfect color. It will feel sticky for a few days. Don’t be alarmed. That will eventually go away, especially if it’s on something outside.

A little goes a long way! ... Purchased a Quart, for one Entry door, both sides .... Could have gotten the half pint and still had some left .... Outside is under a porch, and directions indicate exterior can be done, long as not in direct weather elements all day .... Inside was done as well, two coats Fiberglass doors don't take stain like wood doors do .... This is a GEL Stain .... Door has those wood grains, I wanted to keep showing .... You can still see them .... Very happy with this MinWax Gel Stain .

We stained our front door with this 10 years ago. It held up well for 8 of it. We are re-staining it now due to the dogs scratching and scarring the door. This gel is super easy to use. I did it myself and used a sponge tip brush thingy. The color is dark and looks just like the description. I would like to say that our door is not wood but a fiberglass that looks like wood. This gel stain is perfect for that type of material.

I read great reviews on this gel stain. But it’s not for me. Didn’t like how the color turned out. Might have been user error.

I redid the top of a dining table and a wooden block that I am going to use as a plinth for a bronze figure. They both look fantastic and it was easy to use. I would definitely use again.

Expensive for the size of tin and delivery isn't quick but is the best.

Brilliant service and product!

Excellent service excellent product. Does what it says on the tin.