HOw to apply Gel Stain(?)

[Hickory]

I'm in a fix here with trying to replace some wood pieces on a Tall Clock. seems the dogs chewed the molding off. I repaired the molding making new pieces and duplicating the contours, that is not my delima... Coloring the wood to match is the problem.

The piece is not a fine piece but is an important piece to the fellow who's dog ate their wedding present. It is a PIne wood piece color finished to look like distressed Walnut. (Dogs added additional distress :) )

I tried several stains on the lower section where I only repaired a small portion and tried to color the repair and several chips o the bottom. Boy did I have a time getting the color to match, using wipe on oil based stain as well as adding some homemade color pigment till I got a good match, Wiped on a coat of Poly and then assembled the top portion to the base, there is where the new molding comes to play, and I don't want the same problems and expect them to be far more difficult.

Today I bought some GEL Stain Walnut colored but I am not versed in using Gel Stain. I have heard some tidbits of info but not much. I figured I could layer the color till I accieved what I wanted but am Chicken to jump in without some advise or encourgement. This should be the place where knowledge and experience reign, help me out here, please.

Going out of town for a few days to take 3 charter bus loads of 4th graders to NASA Space Camp for the weekend, so I am posting this expecting to get a load of suggestions and answers to peruse when I return.

[Iain]

Never used it but remember reading an article about application, I think it was a rag and a rubber glove, wipe on wipe off, continue until the desired colour is achieved.

[TommyC]

I used it on some plan drawers I built 2 years ago. Colour was Wenge, and the timber was Vic Ash. I was tricky to use when trying to evenly coat a large flat surface. When applying i found that it was hard to maintain a wet edge, and once the edge starts to set (dry) it is really difficult to get an even coat. It comes as a thick gel that spreads fairly easily, so the key is to pick the right cloth to use to wipe it on. I think i might have even laid it of with a sponge roller... but to be honest, i cant remember. With perseverence, the end result was really smart.