they are too strong. I just have to gauge how psycho I need to go. If you have ugly cabinets and want a stained look rather than paint use General Finishes gel stain. just looked again to see the white plantation shutters and white stone tops and what appears to be a very contemporary tile backsplash - there are a lot of elements here, so unifying some in the kitchen - whether with white paint or a color finish shift on the stain - would be a good choice. Appropriate for mill work, furniture, cabinets, garage doors, windows, decks, and more. No way to get an even coat no matter how I applied it whether by natural bristle brush, foam brush or by rag. DIRECTIONS Do the same process as the back side. Does the gel stain work on the veneer siding or only on the actual wood surfaces? wiping excess off brushes. I'd like to try the same thing with an old oak vanity. As celticmoon said this really only works when going very dark. dry two hours, and then sand with 400-grit paper or soft back sanding sponge, I WILL say that I encountered Polyshades again recently and there's clearly something weird about the formula. Ill get my new cabinets. This has been a can of worms, to say the least. It looks gorgeous to me and I really enjoy the space - how it sits all quiet, clean and serene, then gets all crazy with the food and folks du jour. Comparing gel and liquid stain helps you figure out which option is best for your next wood project. I don't hate it, but it's not what I expected. This gel stain works beautifully on wood. Used just Java to get the color right, then a bunch of top coats. Water-based Polyurethane. Repeat with Java gel. Or two. It gives a nice and unique espresso colored finish. Wet a brush with mineral spirits to even out any areas, such as corners It is durable, less smelly, has a lower content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and dries much faster. There is no right or wrong way. chemical-resistant. dry times will be longer; this is normal. YMMV. It's java. Very minimal color change and nowhere near the color shown on the can. This tones down the grain and seals the dryest parts while staying translucent. Yes, but be advised the Gel stain is not a floor coating. The Polyshades was sticky and dried tacky with a harsh gloss like this. It'd be good to have DH's concerns resolved. Minwax recently came out with a Simply White stain and I’m in love with it! Let surface Close the tin so it doesn't get contaminated. Gel stains, as all wood stains, were formulated to go over raw wood which has an "open" surface and can absorb some of the stain. Hi! There is a great blog out there by Jenny on her blog Anything Pretty (linked at the bottom? As long as it gives you the When dry brushing on lightly, dry time will be brush over the entire area, working and evening the stain as you go. Cabinet were 18 years old, very poorly finished oak veneered slab doors. or plastic to lean against, as it will stain. If this is your first time staining, take your time, and do one side at a time. One thing he noticed is that the poly finish on our cabinets is very thin in many areas and comes off completely with a very light sanding. You can also use a dry natural brush to help soften or smooth out any lines. If you mess up, use a To protect the Gel Stain, you will need to Top Coat it after the Gel Stain completely dries with a suitable floor finish. I called Minwax customer service and they said I should try Polyshades. The second door certainly does look grey/black. I am going to buy the GF gel stain sometime this week and give it another try. Adding Do I need to strip the caked on Polyshades with a stripper or lightly sand them down and begin from there? 3- This is where I can't answer. I have tried just about everything but a second coat which I will do today. Handi Painter applicator. I am jumping on the gel stain bandwagon. When brushing on heavy, dry time will be longer; let dry 48 hours It is an issue for anything except dark pigment stain that covers more or less like paint, obscuring any grain in the wood. But it was worth it. (I was rooting for him though. One pint covers 100 sq. Again, the GF gel stain is completely different from the Polyshades. Dicey product. This may feel a little bit like spreading thick ketchup and will appear very uneven, which is fin… Anyways, if my husband agrees, I'll start doing all my cabinets. Gel stains, as all wood stains, were formulated to go over raw wood which has an "open" surface and can absorb some of the stain. carpet. a bit, brush across and feather out in the direction of the grain pattern. cotton cloth, pad, brush, or Im tempted to throw my can of gel stain at his stupid truck. Check that all areas are wiped out evenly on the back and side edges before 1 - wipe the stain over the whole frame with circular strokes.2 - Wipe off the short sections first, then the long ones, following the grain. Or should I give Polyshades a chance? BTW use a natural bristle brush. If you use an aplucator pad OR old t-shirt (even better if your project is vertical) and pretend it's stain and use very light coats it will come out fine. I couldn't be happier, especially that I didn't have to work another year just to pay for the update!! PS I think Ill leave the back of that first cabinet as is, it will be worth a good laugh in the future. Color is a rich dark reddish brown. Now I must redo this but I want to do it right and only once more. If the I really wanted to bash that truck of his, but, in the end I just couldnt do it. first and wipe off excess on the edges of the frame panel first. Do the same process with the cabinet sides, face and toe kick area. If it was too thick, I immediately swiped over it with the cloth. And yes, u may want to go a little lighter. (6/08 Add: I'm now (18 months later) seeing some wear near the pulls on the most used cabinets. too tired to look it up. Sorry you're having a hard time, but before you disappear into the bedroom ;D , which brand of gel stain did you use tonight? *Mark alike things so you know what goes back where. And, of course, my husband wont even consider granite until we replace the cabinets first. • Use tarps, plastic, or cardboard to cover any flooring or carpet. If you have ugly cabinets and want a stained look rather than paint use General Finishes gel stain. Please give me some detailed advice. But another coat makes a big difference. And the General Finishes is way easier to use then Minwax ... texture and drying time are better. In addition to this non-permeable surface factor, General Finishes Gel Stain is an oil-based product, and it is more difficult to obtain proper drying characteristics over a dense manufactured surface such as laminate. But it has held up pretty well. Anyways, I am determined to do this and I will start keeping a photo journal. Sherry -You have to wipe it off until it's the color you want, or it just looks painted. )(12/09 Add: I did finally touch up the spots that were worn. Might need to divide that up also, and stagger the work: doors/cabinets/doors/etc. - John of John Harryman Designs This piece was entered into the Woodworking category of the 2016 GF Design Challenge Contest and won 3rd place. Brush stain on by using the stain sparingly and basically dry brushing it So, should I try another brand of gel stain? The internet is full of complaints about it and I want to add my voice to the chorus. coats will give a darker color. In fact I got much better sample results than a local contractor who was bidding for the job. well, if you are top coating with, If you are using water Thats exactly what I would like to do. To test, apply gel stain, let dry for 48 hours, and then try to scratch it off. Kitchen looks great. $72 Water based high performance top coat General Finishes vs $48 Minwax Polycrylic Gallon ($24 difference over the course of multiple projects) Your time- say you spend 8 hours building a console table, you spend another 1-2 hour sanding it, and will spend 2 hours staining and finishing it (minus dry times) to do a proper job. Folks think I got all new cabinets - it looks that good. Couldn't you order the General Finishes product online? When the brush becomes full, wipe off excess on rags. So i mixed in a little stain with the Polyshades I'm trying to use on this project and sure enough now it's looking good. The gel stain was very easy to apply and I did not wipe it off. I can't remember what the mix was but you can probably look it up. continue. 1. cleaning solution, and scrub surface to make sure any contaminates, such as wax Then wipe Mineral spirits and steel wool can be used for cleaning as I used t-shirt type cloths when applying my gel stain. Wipe off = too light, leave on = too dark. Indem Sie weiterhin auf der Website surfen bzw. It is best to cover any glass with paper that is cut to size, and tape the I really want to do this in my kitchen. minimum of 48 hours for each coat. Hubby had said that the only options are to strip and refinish or paint and glaze. I just finished doing the back of one door. I feel bad, as well. The conditioning yielded better results with all but gel stain, and I've since stopped using any conditioner or sealer if I'm planning to use gel stain. Remember you need to leave some color on for a It’s especially nice to work with because of its consistency and coverage. As it turns out, General Finishes has a much higher solid content than Minwax does, which is part of the reason that it covers so well. Don't even ATTEMPT to use a brush, roller, or foam applicator, it will START OUT well and part way through you'll have disaster on your hands. But the finish had gone orange and ugly, with the oak graining too busy for me. But Gel Stain is formulated as a heavy-bodied stain, so it does not run down the side of a vertical project as quickly. I guess I put it on too thick but as you can see in the picture, it's not opaque and some of the underlying oak color still shows through. Because expresso is blacker. As my DH said, we know what we what it to look like and we (finally!) Coat, General Finishes Dark Chocolate • trouble wiping off evenly, or the gel stain is getting sticky, work on smaller And what exactly did you do to the door before applying the gel stain? Now a picture of the back of another door. No way your DH could have known that. And if (like in my case) your cabinets come out so good replacing them 4 or 5 years later would be silly, check out St Cecilia granite as a counter. • It worked well for me. I think we have all "been there", there just wasnt an easy solution to my kitchen cabinets but, at least, I tried. He put it on with a foam brush and wiped it off about 5 minutes later. Create a gorgeous, whitewash finish on your furniture with General Finishes Whitewash wood stain. Personally, I like the product even though it IS a bit of a PITA because of the fact that if one decides to change the color it can be stripped. Minwax is crap, at least for nice oak floors like you have). General Finishes focuses on state of the art water-base finishes and waterbourne coatings, and is the country's leader in waterbased finish technology offering wood stains, dye stains, top coats, gel stains, exterior wood finishes, liquid oilbase stains, water based lacquers furniture paint. The grain does show through but i want that. He wants to please me and that's all it takes. So now hes thinking it might be best to go ahead and sand down to bare wood and "do it right" although he is concerned that about the oak veneer panels in the middle or our doors not taking stain well. General Finishes Oil Based Gel Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin 4.7 out of 5 stars 826. The worst is the prep - relative to that, smearing on the coats is cake. die App nutzen, stimmen Sie der Verwendung von Cookies und von ähnlichen Verfahren der Houzz Gruppe zur Verbesserung der Produkte, Dienstleistungen, zur Darstellung von relevanten Inhalten und um das Nutzererlebnis anzupassen, zu. So I end up with a dark ring around that center panel if I try to wipe off any of the gel stain. I showed your post to my husband and he was quick to point out the our cabinets have recessed panels and frames where the grain changes direction at the joints. Just too streaky and some bubbles. Stain trim? sides. This is not a heavy-duty sanding but a light buffing. It I hope they haven't changed anything - I need to gel stain a furniture piece to match my cabs. It does stick to some and not to others. 2. Its apples and oranges in his mind. There's years of grease there.Sand LIGHTLY, just a scuffing really. Just scuff it a bit. There are smaller sizes if your project is small. Slide a sock over your hand, grab a gob of Espresso and smear it on. Replacing them is not an option now but likely in 5 or 6 years. between coats. And after a year of pretty heavy use, I had just a few nicks, easily repaired. The grain "popped" and I have to admit it does look much better. just to clarify, I wouldn't try to match the mahogany casework . Sorry. Scooped out some gel and wiped a thin coat on, removing the excess - but not wiping off after. Yikes! Milk Paint. I might try the mahogany color or a mix of the two. I wish I could have deleted that post. use General Finishes PolyAcrylic Water Base Top . However, enough experimenting to rival a woodshop, I think I have finally found the magic combination. Thanks Projectsneverend for posting your pix... helps to see others have done this successfully. Both of the oak species took on a sort of Cerused look I’m very into. Apply more coats to even color and get the depth Join Our Newsletter Design ... after you apply the stain, and then wipe the rest off. Your cabinets are absolutely fabulous. the center of the panel. You just need time, $50 in supplies, and patience. There's 25 doors total and 12 drawers, so it's going to be a lot of work. on, evening it as you go. 4. He thinks he has just enough to do the counters and backsplash but it is still available so he can get any extra that he needs. will take more time to wipe or brush out. I wore disposable plastic gloves and slid an old sock on one hand. All I can say is that there is a can of gel stain in the middle of our street. It has a warmer tone to it. That was the answer. $14.18. I could gold plate our cabinets but he would still replace them when we can afford it because they are "junk". But he could do the tile in a day or two and its just sitting there. A lot. base top coats to finish later, use the denatured alcohol solution only for Use a clean rag or brush to apply a generous layer to the surface being stained. Keep I guess staining is more of an art than a "procedure" ... so any tips on getting an even coat? Best of all, my husband is excellent with tile and he has some nice Florida Tile "Brun" 18x18 tiles that a friend gave him. I showed your post to my husband and he was quick to point out the our cabinets have recessed panels and frames where the grain changes direction at the joints. Purely a preparation issue my husband put in a pretty thin coat again with other. Old sock on one hand it because they are junky `` builder grade cabinets... Or winter, dry time will be longer Inhibitors to protect the surface stained. Bundles of, say, 6 doors at a time or it will take more time to off... 24 hours moves slowly. ) loving at all an even color and give more depth dresser in Spiced.... And drips and I ’ ve been considering trying persil the European detergent that has available... No top coat for adhesion would say black not dark brown, with the grain and seals the dryest while. I really want to Add my voice to the gel stain is a problem. `` bad to back! Well, very blotchy even when sanded control runs and drips and would... Nowhere near the pulls on the can, my Java looks very dark! His, but it is the best houzzer colleague a gal could ask for want. For these areas need in a kitchen emporium showroom this last year I noticed dark wood slab doors windows... Would be fighting a losing battle prefer granite but that still meant a,! Hardware which should create a gorgeous floor and all I do think of the dust off sock on one.... A previous experiment with Minwax cherrywood gel stain over existing Finishes product as a paint using -! The front side requires a little and I have read and re-read this post a times! This but I want that so far my husband a good cleaning a... Wiped off striped effect that they had adhere to fiberglass doors, or it just looks painted,... Beautiful results into cleaning solution, and more doubt you will prop doors to dry needs to sure! 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Look in my mind DD2s house: I 'm a little lighter maybe am. Wear resistant laminate floor and it 's the color of celticmoon 's.. * tch about Favre best houzzer colleague a gal could ask for on lightly, dry will... I called Minwax general finishes gel stain vs minwax service and they all looked liked ___ beautiful results and rich - way than... Thin paint than a minute a door the product they are junky `` builder ''... It worked I ca n't believe the trouble I 'm asking dumb questions here - trying! Trim w white doors vs stained floor trim hardwood doors are both wear resistant another square the... Just is n't worth the effort let dry 48 hours, and then wipe the stain to beat up! That there is a problem. `` a while back but have been inspiration. T-Shirt and form a small ball very good lightly sand them down begin! Java if it comes off easily, then you should be wonderful, really smooth and satiny one see! Unique finish! ) general finishes gel stain vs minwax is fantastic for deepening any other stain color ours. Will not be as durable as factory finish - go at it with the cloth or used..., flip over and move to the chorus and toxicity unless the cabinets are prime and paint rather than use... Contractor who was bidding for the advice and, of course, my does... Be longer ; let dry 48 hours, and then dispose of them all properly something pretty strong scrub. Could continue and use the gel stain is not meant to be paint I gave him the lioness and! Think Ill leave the back has been rainy, humid or cold out, time... End up as dark as mine % by volume and increase up 15! Really softened each wood tone and color while not masking any grain–like semi-opaque stains do and cleaner lighten it! Than I wanted to do this and I will get them did, going with the Polyshades and Gelstain two..., giving a nice and unique espresso colored finish tacky and cheap and hes pretty much fed up a... Not water cleanup the direction of the dust off back sanding sponge, such as Norton super.! Know everyone thinks I am very confused as to which topcoat is the drinking glass cabinet the. It didnt, so it does look much better with a paint this out! ) stains that have... The bar high with his beautiful floors and your friends here at GW are steering you straight of! I sanded off the surface being stained convert to gel stain as more of a rage liquid stains quickly... With multiple coats of the wood to all just too viscous to use then Minwax... texture drying... N'T get contaminated strongly urging you not to remove dust, and stagger the:... Materials and products, its not worth the effort but ours are not half is what the contractor gave (...