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
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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
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Customer Reviews
4.3
out of 74 reviews
79%recommend this product
544
417
34
23
16
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Showing 1-10 of 74 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
Verified Purchase
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
Verified Purchase
Recommended
Feb 4, 2020
Was easy to use very satisfied with the outcome..
Was easy to use very satisfied with the outcome..
by
Verified Purchase
Recommended
Dec 17, 2019
Life changer! Really makes a difference when staining a piece
Life changer! Really makes a difference when staining a piece
by
Verified Purchase
Recommended
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
Recommended
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.
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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
6 found this review helpful
Jun 22, 2022
by
Verified Purchase
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
Verified Purchase
May 19, 2022
by
Verified Purchase
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.
Varathane 1 qt. Wood Conditioner (2-Pack)Varathane 1 qt. Wood Conditioner (2-Pack) 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.View Full Product Description