Today’s topic is all about gel stain. I’ve been using General Finishes Gel Stain for a while now, and it is truly a wonderful product with so much versatility. If you’ve ever had a piece of wood that you’d like to re-stain, but was less than perfect, this stain is for you!!
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In this video I’m using General Finishes Java Gel, because let’s face it, it’s the best color, by far the most popular and pretty much magic in a can.
The best feature about gel stain is that you can use it over raw wood or an existing finish. Say what? Yep, no stripping required to keep the wood finish you like. It’s perfect for that antique piece that maybe has a few dings or scratches but you just can’t bring yourself to PAINT it. Also perfect if you want the wood look, but want to change the COLOR of the wood. You know, let’s update that 80’s oak – this is a great solution. Yes, it works on kitchen cabinets too!
Here’s a piece I built that started as raw wood, you can see the beautiful color of Java Gel.
And here’s the piece I refinish in the video, this had a finish already that I cover with the stain.
In this video tutorial I walk you start to finish through retaining a nightstand that has clearly seen better days.
Here is what you need to do this project:
-Wet Paper Towels
–Denatured Alcohol (50/50 mix with water) if piece is extra dirty, oily or you are refinishing kitchen cabinets
-Stir stick
-Cotton Rags (I use old t-shirts)
-Clear Finish (I use General Finishes High Performance Poly in Satin Finish)
I finished this desk top in Java Gel. It’s very dark which allows it to hide anything you don’t want to show through. Once the Java Gel is dry, this was top coated in General Finishes High Performance Top Coat in satin.
Here’s another table done in Java Gel – the top of this is actually ply-wood!! It’s an old workbench turned into a dining room table. The top was really not great wood, but when stained and top-coated, it’s gorgeous!!
As always if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
Happy Staining,
Jenni
Enjoyed your tutorials, pieces are very pretty. Good job!
I used java gel on a French Provincial bedroom set, I did an almost paint look on the tops. They came out wonderful. I didn’t however find it as easy to do as some tutorials made it out to be, at least for me. I had trouble with it looking even. 🤷🏻♀️ Well now I am going to try doing a coffeee table which is mostly a frame because the top is mostly glass (which can be removed). I was wondering if you have ever used wipe on poly by miniwax and if have would you recommend it.
Thank you,
Wanda
Hi Wanda – sometimes Java gel can look a little blotchy. Let me teach you a trick to try next time… If you get the blotchy look, let it dry and seal it with topcoat. Once the topcoat is dry, apply a new coat of java gel. For some reason this really helps level out the finish and look. I’ve used wipe on poly before – I have friends who rave about it, I never got into it, but for no reason that I can remember. My favorite topcoat is General Finishes High Performance Topcoat.
Hi, I’m going to do my kitchen cabinets white over oak. I don’t care for the honey look & have always wanted white cabinets. I have never used gel before & have no idea what the heck I’m doing but I really want to try this technique. I don’t want the grain to show through. Can you help or do you have a tutorial that will help?
Check out this tutorial, https://rootsandwingsfurniture.com/blog/kitchencabinetmakeover/ there is still some grain that shows through the paint. There are some products that will smooth out the grain, but I haven’t used it.