I used this method on our bookcase and IKEA chair. To apply the Gel Stain Top Coat you will need to use a new foam brush. You can apply as many coats as you like. If not, keep on reading through the how-to to see the gel stain in action! In this video, Chris Adams of General Finishes shows you how to apply General Finishes Oil Based Gel Stain and General Finishes Oil Based Gel Topcoat to a walnut table leaf. You can apply as many coats as you like. Hmm, not sure about the water rings. Didn’t strip them or anything and this product worked wonderfully going right over the paint. We did a lot of unnecessary flipping. How to Apply General Finishes Gel Stain. (Sometimes the hardware doesn’t match up the same on all the doors). To test, apply gel stain, let dry for 48 hours, and then try to scratch it off. You can treat it like a normal stain and brush some on and then wipe off the excess. Stir the poly. Give the surface a very light scuff with the sanding block. Painting Exterior Surfaces Gel stain has to be varnished when used on exterior surfaces. Find your answer in General finishes Java Gel Stain FAQs. If you will have anything set on top of your stain (eventually), keep in mind the cure time..approx 30 days. Make sure you open up some windows or turn on a fan. Fusion Mineral Paint called Ultra Grip. If you enjoyed these 20 java gel stain tips, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. From: Emily Fazio Photo by: Emily Fazio ©2016 Emily Fazio, 2016. Then seal it all with High Performance Top Coat. Less Expensive Shade Option for Large Window, First Time Furniture Painting and Lessons Learned. Hi Judy! The product is very thick and it works best if you use a very thin layer. And be sure to check out my general finishes gel stain tutorial to see my before and after photos of the gel stain kitchen cabinets! How to Apply Gel Stain. We will let this dry overnight. Generally speaking, it is MUCH easier to use gel stain to achieve a darker wood color on a previously finished piece of wood than it is to get a lighter color. PIN THIS TO PINTEREST . Hey friends! And even then you may have little hairs married to the stain so keep an eye out! I did my bathroom vanity and also put poly over it. Keep all the hardware in a zip bag. It’ll make your paint stick like glue! Gel stain works on most surfaces from wooden to metal, and even painted surfaces can be gel stained. For questions contact us at salvagesista@gmail.com. THIS ONE IS THE MOST General finishes Java Gel Stain FAQs *We use affiliate links and could earn from qualifying purchases. Start by taking the cabinets off the hinges and lightly sanding with 80 grit sandpaper.. Because gel stain has a long drying time (normally 12 hours, longer if it’s humid), you have to convince yourself to walk away. 2.5 years later we are finally getting to the kitchen cabinets. Note: This took about one and a half quarts of the java stain and not a full quart of the topcoat. Use a tack cloth to wipe away all the sanding dust from the surface. A little while back, we shared a cabinet that we turned, A nice paintbrush can also be used. Learn how to use a gel stain to easily update cabinets without any heavy sanding or stripping with this step-by-step tutorial and video. It can be applied over only lightly sanded pieces just as well. – How Much Paint Do I Need? Layering coats of gel stain (per manufacturer directions), will result in a more opaque finish that is darker and shows less of the woodgrain. If you prefer to paint your cabinets, you will want to check this out. BEFORE you clear coat, check, check and re-check. I applied a generous amount of gel stain with a foam brush. General finishes Java Gel Stain; General Finishes Gel Stain top coat in Satin; Package of foam brushes; Optional: Sandpaper; To get a beautiful stained finish over a painted surface you will need GF Java gel stain. However, there is no way I would attempt using gel stain on my kitchen cabinets as others have. Gel stain with natural bristle brush, let dry for 24 hours, gel stain with natural bristle brush, let stand for a few days, go over with top coat 4 times with 24 hours between. We used, Make sure the cabinets are clean and dust-free (, If you have lots of cabinets, number them so you know where they go. Like paint, gel stain coats the surface instead of penetrating it. Many ask if the gels can be used on laminate or plastic non-wood surfaces. A little while back, we shared a cabinet that we turned 1990 honeylicious dated bathroom vanity to a more modern look with Java Stain. You can apply it with a natural bristle brush, foam brush or cotton rag (this last one being my favorite way). Applying Java Gel Stain can sound tricky because it’s consistency is not as watery as a regular stain. You may need to vacuum the room and keep pets away. Required fields are marked *. I am doing a large kitchen table now with old masters rich mahogany gel stain using the wipe off method. And that can make it tricky to get the exact look you want. I have used it to refresh faded cabinets and the result is such a warm, fresh color! Once the stain is completely dry, apply a gel stain top coat to lock in the color and protect the finish. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. You DO NOT want to rush the process and apply thicker coats. You need to work in small areas. Java gel stain* HP Satin Topcoat* Synthetic brush* to apply poly (these are my favorite!) You can use their paint color called Prairie Sunset as a base color over the ultra Grip. The GF java gel stain saved us when we bought our mid-century home and wanted to update all the honey oak trim and doors. We have used this easy to apply stain for several projects and are sharing our top 20 Java Gel stain tips. The great thing about using a gel stain is it will sit on a vertical surface without dripping. Yep, no … Cabinet Painting Inside Drawer using Stain, DIY Paint Finishes – Copper Patina See What You Can Do With It, How I Repaired My Two Year Old Giani Countertop. Make sure ALL exposed areas such as: hardwood floors, carpet, in between spindles, etc…..are covered with something. General finishes gel stain tutorial using antique walnut gel stain to refinish kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities in our first flip! The details were intricate and the quotes we got tosand and finish was astronomical. First of all, yes, your gel stain furniture (whether it’s gel stain kitchen cabinets, table top, or bookshelf) needs to have a top coat. Not sure about how to use Java? How to Use Gel Stain. Your email address will not be published. Just dip the rag in the gel stain and wipe onto the stair treads. You might encounter two problems with using gel stains. So, I ventured over to my favorite local store, Saving Grace, and purchased a pint of General Finishes Java Gel Stain. Work in a well-ventilated area. I know it looks like gel stain doesn’t need a finish coat but it does! I LOVE this topcoat! The Mister preferred that. ;) I updated it to reflect that. Unlike traditional oil-and-water-based stains, gel stain is very easy to apply by wiping it on with a brush versus having to rub it in like most stains. The beauty of gel stain is the material doesn’t matter. It’s all about how to use gel stain today and bunches of past projects I’ve used it on! Then literally just work in into and onto the wood. My question is…why did you used that particular color (Glazed Pecan) for your base coat? Do be sure to wear gloves because the stain will get all over your hands. Stir the stain to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can. I just never realized you could also use it for outdoor/exterior applications. Supplies to Gel Stain Over a Painted Surface. So I sanded off the brown paint/stain. The images, tutorials and content on salvagesisterandmister.com are protected by copyright laws. It does stick to some and not to others. Foam Brushes for the Gel Stain and Top Coat Dip the tip of the applicator into the stain (a little goes a long way) and work with the grain of the wood in long strokes. It was such a bargain and a dramatic change, we have done several more projects and have now decided to use it on a full cabinet makeover. For instance, when applying to a table, you may have difficulty getting the stain out of the junction where the legs or rails meet the tabletop. Don’t be too critical. Slow and steady wins the race. You may hear it called “java gel” or other names, but gel stains are made by several brands (including General Finishes and Minwax), and Java is only one of many, many of beautiful colors. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. Good luck!! Our desire is to share practical ways to "make the most" no matter what we have - Good Stewards. I am making sure to let it dry 24 hours at least between coats. One last pull across. Then using a lint free rag I removed the excess. It’s a proven fact. It is made to go with the gel stain and it gives a wet look even after it has dried! **Update 11-5-19: Curious to see how my doors are doing after one full year? To start your gel stain project, use mineral spirits or 50/50 watered down denatured alcohol to clean the areas you plan to stain. Make sure ALL exposed areas such as: hardwood floors, carpet, in between spindles, etc…..are covered with something. It was so dang easy and all I was thinking about was the gel stain I used when I created that pin. When her kitchen was complete, I sat down with her to have her describe in detail the process of painting her cabinets with the Java gel. BUT not kidding when I say it was ridiculously simple. Start with your products. Or you can use java gel stain like paint and just paint it on. Gel stain is formulated more like paint than traditional stain. Creativity Art is Expression not Perfection, Stop Fingerprint Smudges On Dixie Belle Caviar Painted Furniture. First, be sure to stir the gel stain well. 1) Can Java Gel Stain be used on cabinets that have been painted? To finish it up I sealed all the gel stain with Minwax Water Based Polycrylic. When gel stain has completely dried (I waited overnight) you are ready to apply General Finishes Gel Stain Top Coat. Hope this helps! Using a shop cloth, rub the stain around to cover the whole small area, and wipe most of the stain away. Even if you think you are changing out the hardware, keep it. Gel stain works on most surfaces from wooden to metal, and even painted surfaces can be gel stained. Anne says. Two coats might cover it fully. How To Stain Banisters Dark With Java Gel STEP ONE: SET UP DROPCLOTHS AND PAINTERS TAPE. Using this staining brush I am going to just let it drag on the surface. Gel stain is a very popular option for reviving wood pieces. Accordingly I was able to paint it on top of my IKEA piece without removing all of the polyurethane top-coat. Take an old clean container to place some gel in and close the main jar up. --Applying Second Coat of Gel Topcoat: (8:20 - 11:40) Here is the table leaf with one coat of gel satin that has dried. Read on for the video transcript and a list of useful links. Gel Stain: I like Dixie Belle No Pain Gel Stain – here on Amazon; and/or General Finishes Java Gel Stain also on Amazon here Sanding pads : (optional) variable grits from 80 to 220. I have seen the best look comes when you apply a thin layer and then wipe of excess with a lint free rag. If it comes off easily, then it’s not sticking, so don’t use it. It's primarily used on wood, although it can be used on other surfaces, including fiberglass and metal. Using gel stain on my bathroom vanity in the past (you can read that tutorial here), I knew the product was very durable and super easy to work with. For light cleaning, you will only need a lint-free cloth or shop cloths. I used General Finishes Java Gel Stain. When wiping off the gel stain, it is very difficult to get the stain out of any nooks or crannies that might exist on your project. It matches the General Finishes Java Gel Stain and will cover in two coats. Wish I had done it sooner! I might even use it on furniture that I want to make a java color. (the color is off in these photos because I had the hall and stairway light on) You don’t even really have to worry about swirl marks, applications marks, etc, as you are applying it. See more ideas about Java gel, Gel stain, Java gel stains. So, here’s my honest review of gel stain. Do you have pets? However, the brush. It is made to go with the gel stain and it gives a wet look even after it has dried! To apply the Gel Stain Top Coat you will need to use a new foam brush. (I’ve linked them all at the bottom of this post in case you missed any of the series) Learn how your comment data is processed. Seeing your tables, I think that applying Zinsers, with a base coat of paint b4 using the Java Gel may be my solution. Just see how it transformed these picture frames for a gallery wall. For heavy cleaning on grungy or wood-grain textured banisters, you will need a scouring sponge, and it might take several tries to get it clean. The best feature about gel stain is that you can use it over raw wood or an existing finish. The thick, pudding-like product sits atop the surface and won’t drip. You will need to lightly sand!!! You can see the before and after of applying the java gel stain easily with this picture. Project Time . Watch the video or read the original post for more detailed information. Don’t worry about covering every spot. Thought id give it a try before doing extra steps! You can read more of our disclosure policy for additional information. Hopefully you can narrow down your options now for what gel stain topcoat to use on your general finishes gel stain projects! Java is darker and the results can be seen quicker, so it’s a bit more straightforward. How to use General Finishes Gel Stain over an existing finish, no stripper, no sanding to raw wood, just a nice new wood finish. … All pet hair is attracted to gel stain. After I let the stain dry for several hours, I VERY lightly sanded the top again with a 400 grit paper and then applied an additional coat of stain. Since so many layers are required it became complicated to figure out which ones were in what stage. It turned out great!! The condition of the wood does not play as big of a role in the finished result of the gel stain – the knots in your knotty pines will look less pronounced when the job is done. So when I used General Finishes Java Gel Stain to refinish all the Oak portions of my staircase, I ended up with wayyy too much dark brown, and I hated it! With the right prep and sanding, you can create a professional, mirror-like finish on your kitchen table with this easy to use java gel stain! 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. I’m continuing on the “back to basics” series that I’ve been working on and today it’s “How To Use Gel Stain“. Stir your gel stain well. Actually, I pretty much hated it! Line a large bucket or trash can with plastic and keep it nearby. Note: This took about one and a half quarts of the, « 7 Indicators Your Blog Will Grow Quickly. Then using another foam chip brush I painted the stain on the legs the same way I stained the drawers. Work in small sections as the stain gets tacky fairly quickly causing it to pull as you work. To keep it simple for a simple scuff prep sanding without totally removing the original finish use … Once dry, lightly sand and then you can apply your Java gel Stain! In this process I’ll show you not only how to apply gel stain to finished wood, but more importantly how to give a faux wood finish to any surface.