Stenciling is a fun and creative way to add personality to any project, and when combined with Dixie Belle’s No Pain Gel Stain, it can elevate your furniture and decor in an instant. In today’s guest blog, Denise from Salvaged Inspirations will walk you through the steps of using No Pain Gel Stain to create beautiful stenciled designs. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, Denise’s tips and techniques will ensure your project turns out beautifully every time. Let’s dive in!
(The following is an excerpt from Salvaged Inspirations. Read the full article here.)
Hey, sweet friends! Have you ever wanted to add a gorgeous, rich design to your furniture without using paint? Well, today, I’m sharing a fun and easy way to stencil using gel stain! This technique adds so much depth and character, whether you’re working on raw wood, a painted piece, or even a previously stained surface. Let’s jump right in!
Here’s the thrift store wrought iron and wood table I found; a perfect blank canvas to test stenciling with gel stains.
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED
Thrifted Coffee Table – SALVAGED
Gloves (optional but helpful)
Painters Tape
Shop Towels
White Lightning Cleaner
Heat Gun
Bosch Sander
Espresso Gel Stain
Smooth Foam Roller
Harlequin Stencil
Gator Hide Topcoat
THRIFT TABLE MAKEOVER
Here’s how I created a unique design with No Pain Gel Stain and stencils…
CLEAN
I removed the price tag started cleaning with a White Lightning cleaner and cleaned it from top to bottom, making sure to give the top grooves extra attention using a scrubby brush.
SANDING
When I gel stain over an existing finish, scuff sanding is all that’s required. This is because gel stains work like a paint – they sit on top of a surface rather than absorb into a wood surface like traditional stains do. For this table, I wanted my stencil design on top of raw natural wood so I took my heavy-duty Bosch Sander and sanded off the existing finish. I went ahead and removed all the dust using a tack cloth and then brought it back into my paint room for stain and design.
GEL STAINING
As I mentioned above, No Pain Gel Stain CAN be applied over an existing finish. This is exactly what I did with the lip and handles on this thrift table. I choose a gorgeous Espresso No Pain Gel Stain. I poured a small amount onto a paper plate (you’ll see why below!) and then using a soft rag, applied a small amount of gel stain to the lip and handles of this table. Once I covered the lip in gel stain, I went back and wiped off any excess.
STENCILING WITH GEL STAIN
Now for the fun part! I used this Harlequin Stencil to create a dramatic geometric design on the top of this table. Because it’s a large stencil and a large area to cover, I decided to use a foam roller to stain the design quickly. This is why I put the stain onto a paper plate – easy rolling! I could have used a stencil brush, rag, or shop towel. Just keep in mind whatever you use, the key is to offload the excess stain. Otherwise, the gel stain will seep under the stencil and look messy. Painter’s tape works well to keep the stencil in position while rolling.
I originally was going to stencil the entire table top but, after doing the center slats, I changed my mind and opted for the center focal point. I removed the stencil while the gel stain was still wet and carefully lined up the design to finish the length of the table. Look at the gorgeous grain peeking through these stained checks!!
TOP COAT
To protect this table (which may be high traffic from spills, dirt, hot plates etc), I used Gator Hide. I sprayed three coats lightly sanding between coats one and two. The third coat does not need sanding. As you can see, once this water-based topcoat went on, it darkened and warmed up the natural wood and gel-stained design.
HOW TO STENCIL WITH GEL STAIN
STEP 1: PREP YOUR SURFACE
A little prep goes a long way. If your piece already has a finish, a quick clean with TSP or a mild cleaner will do the trick. Make sure your surface is clean, dry, and smooth. If you’re working with raw wood, give it a light sanding (or sand down to bare wood) and wipe away the dust.
STEP 2: POSITION & SECURE YOUR STENCIL
Place your stencil exactly where you want your design. If you’re working on a curved or tricky surface, a stencil adhesive spray will help keep everything in place. Otherwise, good ol’ painter’s tape will work just fine!
STEP 3: APPLY YOUR GEL STAIN
Here’s where the magic happens! Using a stencil brush, sponge, foam roller, or rag, apply a tiny amount of gel stain over your stencil. Less is more—so offload any excess onto a paper towel before dabbing it onto your piece. I like to make sure my applicator is fairly ‘dry’ to avoid pushing the stain underneath the stencil.
STEP 4: REMOVE YOUR STENCIL
Carefully peel back your stencil while the stain is still wet. Don’t wait too long, or the stain may dry and stick to the stencil edges! If you need to reuse the stencil, wipe it clean with mineral spirits or stain remover before it dries.
STEP 5: LET IT DRY
Patience is key! No Pain Gel Stain takes longer to dry than paint, so let it sit for at least 24 hours before sealing or touching up any details. If you’re working in a humid area, it might take a little longer.
STEP 6: SEAL & PROTECT (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED!)
To keep your gorgeous new design intact, apply a clear topcoat. Depending on the finish you want, you can use polyurethane for durability, wax for a soft sheen, or a matte topcoat for a modern feel.
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look…
Such a fun look and design, AND it’s original and one-of-a-kind!
This will look so cute in the right space!
The difference between stenciling with paint and stenciling with stain is you can still see the wood grain through the design. It adds a lot of warmth and dimension.
And here’s the lip and handles that had the existing finish on them. A tiny bit of gel stain really brought these back to life as well!
Here’s another look at this Stenciled Table before and after. I hope it inspires you and gives you some stenciling ideas for your upcoming furniture projects.
We hope you’re feeling inspired to try stenciling with No Pain Gel Stain after reading Denise’s tips! It’s such a great way to add intricate details to your furniture and home decor with minimal effort. Remember, the possibilities are endless, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different stencils, colors, and finishes. If you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check out more from Denise at Salvaged Inspirations for more creative ideas. Happy stenciling!
For more tips on how to get the best results with No Pain Gel Stain, check out our blog, How to Refresh Furniture with No Pain Gel Stain.
