$3046
- Conditions interior wood surfaces to prep for water based stain
- Seals soft or porous wood for a smooth, even wood stain finish
- Easy to use, high solid formula covers up to 125 sq. ft./quart
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How to Get It
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Price:
$3046
Product Overview
Fast Drying Water Based Wood Stain
Water-based stains dry quickly for easy application with soap and water clean up. Great choice for classic color on smaller projects.
Creating flawless finishes for over 60 years
Expert wood finishing quality since 1958 for the professional, DIY fixer upper, furniture maker or home restoration project.
Low Odor, Low VOC Wiping Stains
Varathane Classic wood wiping stain offers low odor application with a low VOC formula.
Start by Sanding
Sand in the direction of wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper, and progress through 150, 180 and 220 grits.
Apply Water-Based Wood Conditioner
Ensure beautiful, even color and prevent blotching on soft woods like pine with pre-stain wood conditioner.
Shake Stain Can Before Opening
Apply stain in a circular motion with lint-free cloth until wood is evenly saturated. Wipe off excess in direction of wood grain after 2-5 minutes.
Protect with a Poly Top Coat
Use Varathane Polyurethane to add a protective top coat over stained wood surfaces. Polys increase protection, durability and color retention.
Stain Furniture
Use as a wood furniture stain
Kitchen Cabinet Stain
Add rich color to cabinets
Craft Stain
Create unique décor and gifts
Table Stain
Use to stain tables and chairs
Door Stain
Update your curb appeal
Low VOC Stain
Great for people sensitive to odors and fumes
Varathane 1 qt. Classic Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is a pre-staining step made for use on interior wood projects before finishing with a water-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.
- Use prior to applying water-based stain on 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 125 sq. ft. per quart
- 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 soap and water
- Will work on a variety of wood surfaces including interior wood furniture, cabinets, doors, trim, wood floors and paneling
- Browse Available Floor Refinishing Tool Rental Options
- Online price includes PaintCare fee in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DC, ME, MN, OR, RI, VT, WA
- California residents
Specifications
Dimensions
| Container Size | 1 Quart | Coverage Area (sq. ft.) | 125 ft² |
|---|
Details
| Application Method | Brush | Base Material | Water Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry to touch (min.) | 30 min | Interior Paint & Stains Product Type | Oil/Conditioner |
| Interior/Exterior | Interior | Number of coats recommended | 2 |
| Number per Package | 2 | Paint Tool Product Type | Interior Paint/Stain |
| Paint/Stain Clean Up | Soap & Water | Paint/Stain Features | No additional features,No additional features,No additional features,No additional features,No additional features |
| Product Form | Liquid | Returnable | 90-Day |
| Substrate Condition | Bare Wood,Finished Wood,Stained Wood,Unfinished Wood | Transparency | Transparent |
| Vertical/Horizontal | Vertical / Horizontal |
Warranty / Certifications
| Manufacturer Warranty | Satisfaction guaranteed for full refund of purchase price |
|---|
Questions & Answers
Typical questions asked about products:
- Is the product durable?
- Is the product easy to use?
- What are the dimensions of the product?
Customer Reviews
Mar 22, 2022
Disappointed. I used this product because I wanted to use...
Disappointed. I used this product because I wanted to use water based Matt poly. On my test piece minwax oil based product performed much better compared varathane. It could have been my butcher block but I was not happy
by
Response from Rust-OleumSupportMar 23, 2022
Let's see what we can figure out. Varathane Classic Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is for use prior to applying water-based stain on porous woods to minimize blotchiness and ensure a consistent, even stain application. Varathane Wood Conditioner is not suitable for use on butcher blocks since it is not FDA approved for food contact. Watco Butcher Block Oil is the correct FDA approved product for use on butcher blocks.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Watco-1-Pint-Clear-Butcher-Block-Oil-241758/316130833
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 6
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Watco-1-Pint-Clear-Butcher-Block-Oil-241758/316130833
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 6
Mar 4, 2020
Product is easy to apply. There's definitely a noticable difference in stain blotting in pieces...
Product is easy to apply. There's definitely a noticable difference in stain blotting in pieces that have been conditioned vs not. Stained pieces that i used the conditioner on are more subtle and uniform in coloring. Water clean up is very convenient.
by
Feb 4, 2020
Was easy to use very satisfied with the outcome..
Was easy to use very satisfied with the outcome..
by
Dec 17, 2019
Life changer! Really makes a difference when staining a piece
Life changer! Really makes a difference when staining a piece
by
Jul 28, 2019
varathane water based stain
Applied to bare wood (after sanding to remove previous finish completely ) . Here is the result: NEVER AGAIN!
by
Response from Rust-OleumSupportJul 30, 2019
Something is amiss here! Our Varathane Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is only compatible with water-based wood stains. We need to know more about the application of the wood conditioner, as well as the wood stain to get to the bottom of this. Please give us a call at 800-901-0411, we want to try to make things right! - Rust-Oleum Product Support 2
Aug 23, 2018
This is a HORRIBLE product. First of all (and a minor point), the directions on the back of the c...
This is a HORRIBLE product. First of all (and a minor point), the directions on the back of the can are unclear, as they go back and forth between calling the product a conditioner and a stain. So, it's a bit confusing.
The worst parts, though, are performance. First of all, it is designed to be used with water-based stains. It would be great if it said this right on the front of the can, but it is buried on the back.
Secondly, the stains do not penetrate nor adhere the way they should. Simply handling the board, EVEN AFTER THE STAIN HAS DRIED, will create places where the stain will come off as polyurethane is being applied, leaving handprints and fingerprints that appear as if by magic. And of course, after the polyurethane is applied, even if you wipe quickly, it really is not possible to re-stain the area and cover the light-colored handprints. (And I always wear vinyl gloves while handling the wood, so it was not skin oil.) I have attached a picture of what one of these handprints looks like on a board. Now that board is absolutely unusable for it's intended purpose. I have tried sanding and re-staining, with no luck.
By the way, I also bought their petroleum-based wood conditioner/pre-stain. The VOCs in it are so vile and intense, that I can't even use it inside my shop without the garage doors open. And they linger for a couple of DAYS, not hours.
I have no idea why Home Depot made the idiotic decision to change from Minwax pre-stain conditioner, which works like a charm and has none of the issues, but they did. I will now have to drive 20 miles farther to purchase the GOOD wood conditioner at their leading chain competitor, and since I'm having to drive so far, it would be silly to go to Home Depot for anything. This is sad, since we have purchased well over $125,000 in services, supplies and tools there in the last five years or so, since we have been building our house.
by
Response from Rust-OleumSupportAug 24, 2018
We hope you will give us a chance, Tony! We want to hear more about your experience with Rust-Oleum Varathane Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and try to make things right with you. We need more information about which stain was applied and how long it was allowed to dry prior to applying the polyurethane. Please give us a call at 800-901-0411 to talk with us.
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
- Rust-Oleum Product Support 3
Jun 22, 2022
by
May 25, 2022
Very easy to use. Information were excellent for do it...
Very easy to use. Information were excellent for do it your self.Highly recommended.
by
May 19, 2022
by
May 4, 2022
Product worked as described in the directions and helped to...
Product worked as described in the directions and helped to give a nice even coverage when applying the stain finish. I felt the pre-stain was a bit over priced for my small project but I do have a large quantity left over for future projects. The pre-stain was very easy to apply to the wood surface.
by
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