Known for its wood stains and finishing products, Old Masters is a popular brand. These products are available for retail among independent hardware, paint and specialty woodworking places. Old Masters items are suitable for woodworking amateurs and professional carpenters.



Small Town Origins

The corporation is from Iowa. This family-owned company continues to provide quality products and services since 1926. Founded by a Dutch immigrant, the company’s beginnings began by creating paint preparations in a garage and next started selling to numerous industries. Outperforming client expectations with high-quality solutions is what the corporation is founded on. This culture is alive and well today.

Old Masters Brand

Old Masters utilizes a traditional artisan notion to develop its stains and finishes. The wood-finishing products are designed for celebrating the creativity and skill of a master craftsperson.Preserve your cherished woodcraft into eternal, lasting pieces. We are dedicated to this philosophy and belief with our company tagline, “Craftsman Quality Finishes.”

Rely on Old Masters Topcoat

Wood needs to be finished with a reputable topcoat to create a durable, protected product. Don’t permit water or alcohol damage, surface abrasions or chipping, or marring to ruin your woodworking. Employ a clear topcoat finish to keep items protected from every day wear and tear. There is additional UV protection available in the exterior finishes product line. Keep your wood items safe from exposure to Mother Nature, water and wind.

Proper topcoat choice is vital since each clear finish is designed uniquely to benefit precise applications. The Gel Polyurethane is preferred for finishing furniture and antiques but not a good choice for floor covering finishes. Read each label clearly to uncover which item will be perfect for your project. The Old Masters’ clear finish assortment guide can help you choose the right products for your particular job.



You can make your interior and exterior surfaces last much longer by protecting them effectively. Mother Nature is continually offering damage. The typical recommendation is to reapply outdoor exterior clear coats every second year; however, items such as fences or furniture which are continually in the sunshine might need to be recoated every year.

Protect With a Topcoat

The final step for most wood finishing and staining projects is employing a protective, clear topcoat.


Adequate ventilation is essential when you are utilizing any chemicals. Take any kind of dust away by washing the surface with a damp rag. Always stir the product carefully but never shake it before you apply. Bigger projects requiring additional stain containers really should be mixed beforehand to ensure the solutions are uniform before applying. Test the finish on a obscured location to see if adequate adhesion is occurring. Take care not to put on in sunny or windy locations. Don’t count on tack rags when you're applying water-based, clear finishes.

Take these steps into account when applying a clear finish to properly prepared wood:

1. Apply with 2-inch to a 2-and-a-half-inch China bristle paint brush.

2. Light-weight, even coats will help you avoid having bubbles in your finish. Follow the course of the grain with nominal brushing to avoid a sheer finish Thin coats are necessary as any dense coats of finish can cause dripping or wrinkling once dried.

3. Allow the finish completely dry before touching. View product labels for time frames since each product has its own drying times. Times will vary with regards to the clear finish.

4. Lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper in between coats. It will help the finish adhere better and produces a nicer result. Take extra drying time into account in the event your sandpaper gets gummed up. Remove any sanding debris with a clear rag to supply a clean finish.

5. Read the label to find out how much product to reapply and how long to wait between coats. A minimum of 2 coats is advisable for interior applications. Usually, 3 coats are endorsed for exterior project shielding. Each product has unique instructions and detailed label information.



6. Before using the freshly finished items, permit them to rest for at least 24 hours to give the product proper curing time. Be far more careful for the first week after application as this is how long some items take to cure fully. For anyone who is treating floors, avoid heavy traffic. Wait the absolute minimum of 72 hours following the last coat to replace furniture. Move the furniture with the aid of someone and lift it into place instead of pulling it. Allow the flooring surfaces to cure for at least one week before installing rugs or washing them.

Tips For the Best Application

Try using a firm-bristled artists’ brush to remove any lint prior to the finish drying.

Ensure your work place is free from dust prior to finishing to help keep the finish spot-free. There are numerous vapours in solvent-based finishes so only use in well-ventilated locations.