Recognized for its wood stains and finishing products, Old Masters is a popular brand. You can find this brand at independent hardware stores, paint supply stores and specialized woodworking shops. Old Masters merchandise is suitable for woodworking amateurs and professional carpenters.



Small Town Origins

The business is from Iowa. Since 1926, the organization has been producing high-quality items. A Dutch immigrant created the business. Their humble beginnings started off creating paint formulations in a garage. With time, they started selling products across several different industries. The company mission is to offer a quality product that exceeds the client’s expectations. This was the first company mission that stands today.

Old Masters Brand

Old Masters generates its finishes and stains in a traditional artisan approach. The wood-finishing merchandise is designed for celebrating the creativity and skill of a master craftsperson.The company tagline, “Craftsman Quality Finishes,” sums up this viewpoint nicely. Old Masters items are meant to help clients maintain all aspects of their cherished woodcraft.

Rely on Old Masters Topcoat

Wood has to be finished with a reputable topcoat to create a durable, protected product. Don’t allow water or alcohol damage, surface abrasions or chipping, or marring to wreak havoc on your wood project. Use a clear topcoat finish to keep items protected from daily wear and tear. Old Masters external finishes feature UV security. These finishes help keep your pieces safe from water, Nature Herself, the wind and all of the elements.

Make sure you choose the right topcoat as each clear finish is exclusively formulated. The Gel Polyurethane is a great option for vintage items and furniture finishes; however, this product would perform poorly as a flooring solution. Read each label clearly to discover which item will be perfect for your project. Check out Old Masters’ clear finish selection guide to allow you to decide on the perfect topcoat for your application.



You can make your interior and exterior surfaces last for much longer by protecting them adequately. Mother Nature will consistently 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 which are continually in the sunshine may need to be recoated every year.

Obtain Superior Protection With a Topcoat

The very last thing you need to do to provide your woodcraft total protection is to finish up with a final clear topcoat.


Ensure you are functioning in an area with exceptional ventilation. Clear away any dust or debris from the object by using a clean rag. Constantly stir the product thoroughly but never shake it before applying. Items that need multiple containers must be combined and mixed ahead of time to result in a uniform gloss. Test the finish on a obscured location to see if adequate adhesion is happening. Take care not to use in sunny or windy settings. Avoid employing clear, water-based finishes with tack rags since you'll get fuzz and debris in your finish.

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 brush.

2. Light, even coats can help you avoid having bubbles as part of your finish. Go with the direction of the grain and use as few brush strokes as you possibly can to create a nice finish. Thin applications are necessary as any thick coats of finish can cause dripping or wrinkling once dried.

3. Let the finish dry. Check the label for drying time approximations. Depending on which finish you use, the drying time will be different.

4. Evenly sand with 220 grit sandpaper in between coats. This helps the finish adhere better and fosters a nicer result. Allow extended drying time in the event the sandpaper gums up. Wipe away any sanding debris with a clear rag to deliver a clean finish.

5. Reapply product and read label instructions with regards to recoating times. A two-coat minimum is typically suggested for interior finishing. Three applications are best for exterior applications. Every product has unique details on the label so read them diligently.



6. Let the product rest for 24 hours minimum before subjecting surfaces to marginal use. Be far more careful for the first week after applying as this is how long some goods take to cure fully. Avoid major traffic on floor applications. Give it at least three days or 72 hours following the last coat to set furniture back in place. Never slide the furniture when transferring it. Allow the floor surfaces to cure for no less than one week before installing rugs or cleaning them.

Application Tips

If any lint catches into your finish, use a firm-bristle artists’ brush to take it off before the product completely dries.

Ensure your work place is free from dust before finishing to help keep the finish spot-free. Only apply items in well-ventilated areas due to the variety of vapors that is part of solvent-based products.