Old Masters is famous for its wood coatings and stain products. These materials are available in hardware stores, specialty woodworking shops and paint stores. Old Masters merchandise is suitable for woodworking amateurs and professional craftsmen.



Small Town Origins

Situated in the middle of rural America, Iowa houses Old Masters. The business has been creating high-quality products since 1926. Founded by a Dutch immigrant, the company’s origins began by designing paint formulations in a garage and next started selling to many industries. The company mandate is simple, to produce a quality solution that surpasses client expectations. This standard is behind the company’s success.

Old Masters Brand

The organization formulates its stains and finishes with traditional artisan craftsmanship. These wood-finishing solutions have been manufactured to celebrate the capabilities and talents generated by a professional.Create sentimental woodworking pieces by defending them with “Craftsman Quality Finishes.” The Old Masters tagline says everything.

Rely on Old Masters Topcoat

Wood has to be finished with a reliable topcoat to create a durable, protected product. Protect your project from surface abrasions, damage from alcohol or water, chipping and marring by employing a clear topcoat finish. UV protection is offered in our exterior finishes. These finishes help keep your items safe from water, Nature Herself, the wind and all of the weather.

With so many choices, choose the right topcoat to enjoy a clear finish well suited for specific applications. For household furniture items and antiques, Gel Polyurethane is a wise option, although, this would not be recommended for flooring. Before buying a topcoat, read the labels to pick a suitable product. There is a clear finish selection guide which can help you determine which top coat will best satisfy your needs.



You can make your exterior and interior surfaces last considerably longer by protecting them effectively. Damage is a common topic with Mother Nature. It is recommended to reapply outdoor exterior clear finishes every 2 years; although, items that are continuously in the sunshine may necessitate an annual coating for the maximum protection.

Applying Topcoat for Ultimate Protection

A protective, clear topcoat is important for keeping your wood staining and finishing items secure.


Ensure you are functioning in an area with excellent ventilation. Take any dust away by cleansing the surface with a damp rag. Thoroughly mix the product before and throughout the application process but Do Not Shake. Items that will need multiple containers need to be combined and mixed ahead of time to result in a uniform gloss. Testing the finish on a hidden surface can help you determine if adequate adhesion is occurring. Don’t apply the product in direct sun or even in windy places. Avoid applying clear, water-based finishes with tack rags as you'll get fuzz and debris in your finish.

Follow these steps when applying a regular clear finish to correctly prepared wood:

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

2. Light-weight, uniform coats will help you avoid having bubbles within your finish. Follow the direction of the grain with nominal brushing to prevent a sheer finish Thin coats are necessary as any thicker coats of finish can cause dripping or wrinkling once dried.

3. Let the surface dry. Check the packaging for drying time estimates. Times will vary with regards to the clear finish.

4. Delicately sand your item with 220 grit sandpaper between finish coats for correct adhesion. The gentle sanding allows the finish to experience better adhesion and a crisper result. Allow prolonged drying time in the event the sandpaper gums up. Remove any sanding debris with a clear rag to deliver a clean finish.

5. Reapply product and read label instructions with regards to recoating times. Most internal projects require a minimum of 2 coats. Outside projects often use three coats of finish for the ideal protection. There is detailed information particular to each product on the instruction label.



6. Before using your freshly finished items, permit them to rest for at least 24 hours to give the product proper curing time. Note that it can take a week after the initial application for the product to become fully cured. Avoid heavy traffic on floor applications. Wait a minimum of of 72 hours after the last coat to replace furniture. Don’t slide the furniture as this will leave scratches. Ask for help and gently lift it into the preferred location. Allow the flooring surfaces to cure for a minimum of one week before installing rugs or washing them.

Helpful, Handy Hints

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

Clean your workspace first to ensure it is dust-free before you start the finishing process to achieve a spot-free result. Only apply goods in well-ventilated areas due to the variety of vapors that is an element of solvent-based products.