What is the Difference Between Gel Stain and Glaze

The key difference between gel stain and glaze is that gel stain is an oil-based product, whereas glaze is a water-based product.

Gel stains are products we can apply to wood surfaces to build them up, similar to a paint layer. Wood glazes are media we can apply over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect. These products are very important in improving the appearance of wood-based products such as furniture.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Gel Stain
3. What is Glaze
4. Gel Stain vs Glaze in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Gel Stain vs Glaze 

What is Gel Stain?

Gel stains are products we can apply to wood surfaces to build them up similar to paint. Traditional stains soak into the wood. It creates a new color. But gel stains remain on the surface of the wood and do not change the color. Moreover, unlike paints, gel stains still allow us to feel the underlying texture of the wood.

The formula of gel stain is similar to most pigment-based traditional stains. In its manufacturing process, manufacturers add a thickening agent to make the gel stain, which helps in easy application and concentration of color. The application of gel stain gives a finish that is a compromise between a transparent stain and an opaque paint. In other words, the outcome of a gel stain is in between that of staining and painting.

Gel stain is popular because of its ease of use. This product requires less preparation in advance than regular stains and paints. For instance, we don’t need to sand the wood to its raw state for better adhesion. A small degree of sanding will fulfill this requirement. Thereafter, we can start the application process using a lint-free cloth. Or else, we can use a natural bristle paintbrush for better texture.

What is Glaze?

Wood glazes are media that we can apply over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect. Wood glaze is a product having a thicker consistency compared to paint; it provides an extended working time to help us get the look we need. Usually, wood glazes are clear. But some wood glazes coming from Real Milk Paint Co. are warmly tinted hues, so we don’t need to mix them to get our desired shade. Essentially, wood glazes are used after paints and stains. Therefore, they offer incredible control when we need to float color between finish layers.

Typically, wood glazes have a much less intense tint or even no tint at all compared to wood stains. However, this product cannot work well with raw wood surfaces, but still, it can add a better appearance to the stained surface through accentuating reaccessed edges and moldings or delivering a shabby-chic antique effect.

When considering the formation of wood glaze, it typically has more pigmentation than wood stain and is much less binder. Sometimes, there are no binders at all. Moreover, it does not essentially require a topcoat but may be optional for some wood pieces.

The versatile nature of wood glaze makes it suitable for both old and new surfaces. These are water-based formulations that we can use over acrylic and chalk paint. Further, a wood glaze can give a matte finish and warm tints, which makes it a budget-friendly technique. We can use wood glaze on doors, windowsills, walls, walls, cabinets, furniture, accent pieces, etc.

What is the Difference Between Gel Stain and Glaze?

Gel stain and wood glaze are very important in obtaining a better appearance in wood-based products. The key difference between gel stain and glaze is that gel stain is an oil-based product, whereas glaze is a water-based product.

The below infographic presents the differences between gel stain and glaze in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Gel Stain vs Glaze

Gel stains are products we can apply to a wood surface to build it up similar to paint. Wood glazes are media that we can apply over painted or stained wood to create an antiqued effect. The key difference between gel stain and glaze is that gel stain is an oil-based product, whereas glaze is a water-based product.

Reference:

1. “Gel Stains – Pros, Cons, Uses, and How to Apply Gel Stains.” Pittsburgh Spray.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Brush Planks Wood Delete Wood Stain Wood Wax” (CC0) via Max Pixel
2. “Glaze-color-fan-structure” (CC0) via Pixabay

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