- Conditions interior wood surfaces to prep for oil based stain
- Seals soft or porous wood for a smooth, even wood stain finish
- Easy to use, high solid formula covers up to 37.5 sq. ft. per can
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Product Details
About This Product
Varathane 8 oz. Wood Conditioner is a pre-staining step made for use on interior wood projects before finishing with an oil-based stain. Varathane Wood Conditioner helps prevent splotchy, uneven staining on soft and porous wood types, including birch, maple, alder, fir and pine. High-solids formula offers excellent penetration into the wood for beautiful staining results and projects. Made to prep and seal wood surfaces allowing for a rich, deep and even color.
Highlights
- Use prior to applying stain to porous woods to minimize blotchiness and ensure a consistent, even stain application
- Works on interior soft wood surfaces including pine, maple, alder, fir and birch
- Covers up to 37.5 sq. ft.
- Acts as a wood sealer and seals soft wood pores for a better, even color and stain control without splotches
- Applies easily to interior wood surfaces using a brush or cloth
- High-solids formula penetrates deeply into wood to close pores, allow 30 minutes after application before applying wood stain
- Cleans up with mineral spirits
- Will work on a variety of wood surfaces including interior wood furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, wood floors and paneling
- New project? Click here to find the right wood stain products
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- Return Policy
- California residentssee Prop 65 WARNINGS
Product Information
Specifications
Dimensions
Container Size | 8 Ounce |
|---|---|
Coverage Area (sq. ft.) | 37.5 sq ft |
Details
Application Method | Brush |
|---|---|
Base Material | Oil Based |
Dry to Touch (min.) | 30 min |
Interior Paint & Stains Product Type | Oil/Conditioner |
Number of coats recommended | 2 |
Number per Package | 1 |
Paint Tool Product Type | Interior Paint/Stain |
Paint/Stain Clean Up | Mineral Spirits |
Paint/Stain Features | No additional features |
Product Form | Liquid |
Transparency | Transparent |
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty | Satisfaction guaranteed for full refund of purchase price |
|---|
Questions & Answers
When using this product, will additional coats of the stain get a deeper / richer depth of color?
Stephen, happy to clear things up! Rust-Oleum Varathane Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is suitable for use on soft woods to help prevent the stain from resulting in a blotchy finish. If desiring a richer depth of color, we can recommend allowing the stain to dwell on the surface for a longer period but do not allow it to dry on the surface. Testing should be done to determine how long the dwell period should be to achieve the color you are wanting. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 10
Can I use water base stain with this oil base conditioner?
Happy to help! Rust-Oleum Varathane Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner can be used with oil-based stains only, we do not recommend using with water-based stains. -Rust-Oleum Product Support 14
can I use this product before applying a jell stain
Happy to help, Wayne! Rust-Oleum Varathane Oil-Based Wood Conditioner can be applied to softer woods prior to applying an oil-based gel stain. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
How many square feet will 1 quart cover
Happy to help, Jim! Each quart of Rust-Oleum Varathane Oil-Based Wood Conditioner has a recommended coverage of up to 150 square feet. The actual coverage rate will be dependent on the condition of the wood you are treating. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
I want to stain oak so that it colors the wood but the stain doesn't penetrate so deeply into the grain. Would it help achieve that if I use this pre-stain product before the oil-based stain?
We're happy to help. Rust-Oleum Varathane Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner will penetrate deeply into the pores of the wood and act as a base coat that helps provide the most even color. That being said, the biggest factor in how deep the stain will penetrate the wood is how long the stain dwells on the surface before wiping away the excess. This determines how much stain penetrates the wood and how deep it penetrates. -Rust-Oleum Product Support 14
Some rustoleum support answers say this can be used under water based stains and some say they can’t. Which is it? I would like to use a water based gel stain over this pre conditioner. Thanks.
Jonh, happy to clear things up! Rust-Oleum Varathane Wood Conditioner is suituble for use on softwoods before applying an oil-based stain to help prevent a blotchy or uneven finish. Instead we can recommend using Rust-Oleum Zinsser SealCoat Universal Sanding Sealer https://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-1-gal-Universal-Sanding-Sealers-2-Pack-851/202057181 - Rust-Oleum Product Support 10
Can I use this as a pretreatment when using Scorch paint and a heat gun
Christy, thanks so much for your interest! Rust-Oleum Varathane Wood Conditioner is designed for use on softwoods before applying an oil‑based stain to help prevent a blotchy or uneven finish. Because of this, we aren’t able to recommend using it for any other application. We do suggest reaching out directly to the manufacturer for more specific guidance; they’ll be able to provide the most accurate recommendations for your project. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 10
Is this food safe such that I could use it prior to food safe stain for butcher block countertops?
Lori, thank you for your interest! While Rust-Oleum Varathane Wood Conditioner can be used on bare wood as a pre-stain treatment, it is not a food-grade coating, and we do not recommend it for use on surfaces that will have direct contact with food or beverage. - Rust-Oleum Product Support 10
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