Recognised for its wood stains and finishing products, Old Masters is a popular brand. These items are located in hardware stores, specialty woodworking shops and paint stores. The business supports both DIY’ers and qualified woodworkers.



Small Town Origins

The company is from Iowa. This family-owned enterprise has been providing quality solutions since 1926. Founded by a Dutch immigrant, the company’s beginnings began by creating paint preparations in a garage and next started selling to many industries. The company vision is simple, to deliver a quality solution that is much greater than client expectations. This was the very first company mission that stands today.

Old Masters Brand

Old Masters creates its finishes and stains in a standard artisan method. The wood-finishing items are designed for celebrating the expertise and skill of a master craftsperson.Create sentimental woodworking pieces by protecting them with “Craftsman Quality Finishes.” The Old Masters tagline says it all.

Rely on Old Masters Topcoat

Applying a particular topcoat is the best way to produce long-lasting, durable protection for your valued woodwork. Using a clear topcoat finish can certainly help keep your work safe from marring, chipping, surface abrasions and wear and tear from water spots. Old Masters exterior finishes feature UV security. Ensure that your wood items safe from exposure to Mother Nature, water and wind.

Make sure you choose the right topcoat as each clear finish is exclusively formulated. The Gel Polyurethane is a fantastic option for collectibles and furniture finishes; however, this product would perform poorly as a flooring product. Explore and read the product labels to make sure you pick the proper finish. Check out Old Masters’ clear finish selection guide to help decide on the ideal topcoat for your application.



You can make your interior and exterior surfaces last for much longer by protecting them thoroughly. Mother Nature will continuously challenge your exterior surface finishes. The usual recommendation is to reapply outdoor exterior clear coats every second year; however, products such as fences or furniture that are continually in the sunshine may need to be recoated every year.

Protect With a Topcoat

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


Adequate ventilation is essential when you are using any chemicals. Clear away any dust or debris from the object using a clean rag. Smoothly stir the product with care before using but don’t shake it or else you will produce air bubbles. Projects that demand more than one container are suggested to combine containers and mix to produce a uniform gloss before application. Try the finish on a hidden surface location beforehand to check for adequate adhesion. Do not implement in windy locations or sunlight. Avoid using tack cloths whenever using clear, water-based finishes.

We recommend taking the following steps when applying a clear finish to prepared wood:

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

2. Avoid creating bubbles by applying in even, lightweight coats. Follow the direction of the grain with nominal brushing to protect yourself from a sheer finish Thin layers are necessary as any thick coats of finish can cause dripping or wrinkling once dried.

3. Permit the finish to dry thoroughly. Every single product is different so check the label for drying times. Depending on which finish you use, the drying time will be different.

4. Evenly sand with 220 grit sandpaper between coats. This produces better adhesion and a better finish. Allow extensive drying time in the event the sandpaper gums up. Take sanding dust away for a clean finish.

5. Reapply product and read label instructions regarding recoating times. A two-coat minimum is typically suggested for interior finishing. Outdoor projects often use three coats of finish for the ideal protection. Every product has particular details on the label so read them carefully.



6. Before using the freshly finished items, enable them to rest for at least 24 hours to give the product proper curing time. Remember that it can take a week following the initial application for the object to become totally cured. Avoid major traffic on floor applications. Wait a minimum of of 72 hours after the last coat to replenish furniture. Don’t slide the pieces of furniture as this will leave markings. Ask for help and carefully lift it into the desired location. Wait at least one week before cleaning the floors or adding rugs.

Application Tips

Before the finish dries, use a firm-bristle artist paint brush to take away any lint that may have affixed itself.

Make sure you are working in a dust-free environment to keep your finished product free from spots. Only apply goods in well-ventilated areas due to the abundance of vapors that is a component of solvent-based products.