After applying your gel stain allow a full 24 hours to dry (It only took 12 hours after the second and third coats for my cabinets). Remove all the knobs and take apart any removable parts of the cabinets. It is also possible to use gel stain on laminate cabinets for a real-wood look. How to Gel Stain a Kitchen Table. I’ve tried cleaning that with soap & water before and the greasy residue remains. I wish you luck with your cabinets! And some of my cabinets have wood rope trim in bathrooms and key hole trim in the kitchen. It's been two years and it still looks great. Jennifer's work has been featured in many print and online publications. 4. Thank you for this information I am excited to try this. After I was finished staining the kitchen cabinet frames, the instructions called for 5 days of dry time before the polyurethane. If the finish is coming off at all, then yes, I would recommend lacquering first. Gel stains provide great coverage over existing finishes because they are full-bodied and pigment-rich. Thanks for sharing. How to Gel Stain Kitchen Cabinets. Kitchen cupboards, cabinets, previously stained furniture, factory finished, wood, veneer or laminate, and even previously painted finishes. It may be helpful to have a brush to push the glaze into the grooves if you find that the rag isn't doing the job. I like to dab my brush onto the cloth to pre-dampen and then use the brush to remove the excess stain. Real wood cabinets give your kitchen an elegant, rustic appeal. Thanks for sharing this! Glazing cabinets is an easy way to update the look and feel of your space. If you are attempting to do the project when it’s colder or rainy. I'm quite pleased with how well it's held up. Tip – Make sure to label the location of each door or drawer so you don’t forget where it came from later. You mentioned using soap an water to clean your cabinets prior. Kitchen Cabinet Transformation, we renovated our cabinet for less than one hundred dollars, its very easy and fun to do Using a gel stain as the glaze requires minimal work and maximum results. I am ready to try. This is the same door but with two coats on, you can see it gets a little bit darker. Relatively goof proof, gel stains contain urethane. I happen to have wood floors in the same hue and wondered if this might work on floors, as well. I have glazed furniture pieces before but never thought to use it on cabinets! Gel Stains are formulated with a combination of pigments, oils, and urethanes to produce a deep and durable finish. I'm curious why you finished with a coat of lacquer. Allow each coat to dry 24 to 48 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Go with the grain. What it Will Cost You to Paint Cabinets Using Gel Stain. Plastic laminate cabinets have the appearance of real wood and are a more budget-friendly option. I’ve done quite a few projects using gel stain… my favorite (and biggest) was the kitchen and bathroom cabinets in the first house we flipped. How should that be applied? Will this even out the stain? This is a post update from when I originally gel stained our kitchen cabinets on Meredith Lane. Gel stains come in a wide variety of color choices. I love the deep, rich tones of the wood after glazing it. See more ideas about gel stain, stain, staining wood. I keep a mineral soaked cloth next to me. Wipe down with a clean, damp rag to remove any soapy residue. Get it into those corners. Wipe off the dust with a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag, and then let it dry again. We were not interested in spending a ton of money immediately upon moving in so I knew gel stain would be my best friend. Another perk, still, is gel stain’s ease of use in vertical projects. I love to create just about anything - DIY, crafts, sewing and baking are a few of my hobbies. I have knotty alder cabinets which have yellowed. I know it looks like gel stain doesn’t need a finish coat but it does! I’m wondering about using TSP to clean one of my cabinets that sits above the microwave/hood and has a greasy residue. This is because unlike traditional stain, gel stains don’t penetrate the surface. Gel stain will … Really bummed out. I just hate DIY projects you pour a lot of time and love into, and then they're not so durable. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Sanding between coats of stain is not required. We have hickory cabinets that were just finished with clear varnish. If applied directly to unfinished wood, it will act as a stain. In most cases, cabinets will be finished. Gel stains are also good for fiberglass and metal and for use on vertical surfaces. But as long as you finish it off with a coat or two of lacquer, the gel stain is protected under that layer and it should hold up to regular cleaning. The good thing is you have lots of options when it comes to a top coat for your gel stain project. My cabinets are beautiful, but a little light for my liking. Thank you! The update adds such warmth to the wood. Gel Staining Kitchen Cabinet Doors and Drawers. I'm going to start by applying gel stain with my foam brush, starting in the center sections and working my way around the rest of the door, the styles and the frame. I think it would work on wood floors - will you let us know if you try it? I think the rope trim will look really good with a glaze. See more ideas about staining cabinets, gel stain, refinishing cabinets. Otherwise it will stain the wood instead of glaze it. Starting with Java Gel Stain, GF's Gel Stains have quickly become one of our best selling products because they provide great coverage over existing finishes or raw wood. I can't say that I clean the actual cabinet doors/drawers very often though. The gel stain is thick like pudding, not a liquid. Great suggestions!! Repeat with cabinet frame. Gel staining your cabinets is a long process and it can take several days to complete. Thus, … I have yellow/gold 90's oak cabinets that I need to take the gold hue out of! The weather was still pretty mild, which was great for drying. Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. My oak cabinets are old and kinda of blotty. That being said, if you feel more comfortable with another type of finish I say go for it! You can tell if an oil finish is dry if its no longer tacky and you cant smell it. Read on, to find out how I refinished my kitchen cabinets for less than $80 without stripping or sanding. I guess you could try letting it sit longer, making sure the stain becomes tacky before wiping. One thing I would suggest is making sure to finish it with a durable clear coat (maybe multiple coats). Another reason I love General Finishes stains is they have a fantastic color selection of stains that are updated and shades that I am seeing in new homes today.via General Finishes One of the prettiest trends I have been seeing in new homes is the mix of painted cabinets and stained woo… Clean all of the cabinets with warm, sudsy water the day before to allow for drying time. You could try on a small area first if you want to be sure. You may want to apply more coats to achieve the desired color or depth of warmth for woodwork. The gel stain is to be applied to a finished piece of wood in order to act as a glaze. It didn't even stay in the grooves? HomeAdvisor's Painted vs. Stained Cabinets Guide compares paint and stain for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including pros, cons, costs, and types like gel stain or white paint. I like the fact that lacquer is a true clear coat and doesn't change the color of the wood and/or stain. I love this method, and think it would work great for deepening the color of my oak kitchen cabinets. Mar 15, 2015 - Explore Charlene's board "Gel stain cabinets" on Pinterest. While gel stain does go on thick and sit on the surface of the wood, I found that you can still see and feel the natural wood grain beneath, unlike paint. 8 Stunning Stain Colors for Kitchen Cabinets Transform raw wood for custom-looking cabinetry with a stain that fills your need for color but lets the grain show through. However, our cabinets {especially along the bottom} had places where the finish was no longer there. You will also may need a scotch brite pad, sanding pad, gloves, poly-foam brushes, bristle brushes, pad applicator or roller, blue shop towels, dust cloth and painters tape. I used dish soap and water. Good luck with your cabinets! San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. See more ideas about staining cabinets, gel stain kitchen cabinets, stained kitchen cabinets. The heavier the application, the longer it takes to dry. A good gel stain should only take one coat to get a desired uniform look. A very informative tutorial. This is what’s going to protect your hard work for years to come! Ideal conditions are 70 degrees with 70% humidity. Welcome to the Designaholic community! Nope, didn't sand them at all! Gel stain works well on nonporous wood such as Masonite and hardboard because it doesn't enhance the wood grain. Unfortunately, real wood cabinets are often expensive. I want to try this on my cabinets. Read on for the video transcript and a list of useful links. I was told to use a soft clean cloth to apply it and then wipe off to the effect that you want. I tried this today and it didn’t work at all. You can get mineral spirits at most hardware or home improvement stores. My kinda project! Any thoughts? It's easier to clean the cabinets while they are still attached. I am going to try it on the oak cabinets in my bath - and then, if successful, my kitchen. Copyright Adventures of a DIY Mom 2019. Updating Cabinets with gel stain – Step 1 – Clean the cabinets. https://youtu.be/OgX5yE5rUbo. » Tutorials Once dry, lightly buff the surface with a 220 sanding pad. Post Comments If you're on the fence, you could do the inside of a door to see how you like it. Use the denatured alcohol and water mix instead. I believe so, but try it out on the inner side of the cabinet to be sure. Before getting started, have the following supplies ready: To clean the surface you will either need furniture cleaner, mineral spirits or a 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and water. Start by covering any glass with painter's tape and remove all hardware, otherwise the stain will adhere to these surfaces. Have a flat, covered surface at a comfortable height for laying down cabinet doors to stain or make minor repairs. You did a great job. I used their Gel Urethane on my kitchen cabinets, but the water-based High performance in Satin for all others. You recommend a coat of laquer first. I've been intending to finish with a really tough polyurethane, or similar, if that tends to yellow. Aug 4, 2016 - Explore Kimberly Merck's board "Gel stain over Golden oak " on Pinterest. We have these Cabinets throughout our home and our bathroom can’t are being replaced so we practiced with those. We used a brush to help blend from the grooves - this isn't necessary, but we liked how it looked. Thanks! I decided I wanted to refinish our kitchen cabinets to match our hardwood floors. Nov 13, 2019 - Explore Lisa Brott's board "Gel stain kitchen cabinets", followed by 145 people on Pinterest. I have used this wood glaze on the front door of our home which LOOKS like real wood but must be reglazed every few years. Thank you so much! It will be in the paint/stain section of the store. Lacquer is also very easy to touch up - just add another coat and it will meld right in with the existing lacquer. In my case, it was one door and three drawers. -------------------------------------------------------------, Chalk Style Paint - http://bit.ly/1X0R5OO, Oil Based Gel Stains - http://bit.ly/1gRtXzc, High Performance Topcoat - http://bit.ly/1vQEYQE, Flat Out Flat Topcoat - http://bit.ly/1IlKDci, --------------------------------------------------, America's leading manufacturer of innovative water-based finishes. Hi! Lacquer is water resistant. Floors will wear so much more quickly than counters, so protecting it is especially important. When we moved into our house the first thing I wanted to update was the kitchen. We used a cloth (a piece of an old t-shirt) to apply and a different cloth to wipe it off. This is not a heavy-duty sanding, just a light buffing. Feb 17, 2020 - Explore Hollie Buckner-Sims's board "Stained Kitchen Cabinets", followed by 376 people on Pinterest. Instead of using a cloth to wipe it the excess, I am going to take a bristle brush and dry-brush. I’d love to know how it turns out! I’ve hated them since we moved in. See more in the tips at the end of this post. Cabinets not wood? It's really easy! For cabinets with man-made material, such as fiberglass or steel, that have a wo… The transformation was amazing. You can enhance it more by using our Pitch Black Glaze Effects. Good luck with your project! The good news is that today, there are so many great colors to choose from when it comes to re-staining cabinets versus even five years ago. Starting with Java Gel Stain, GF's Gel Stains have quickly become one of our best selling products because they provide great coverage over existing finishes or raw wood. I'm Rachel. Here is a door finished with 1 coat of Brown Mahogany painted on using our dry-brush technique and sealed with 3 coats of High Performance Flat. Atom A gel stain can also be used in various applications such as an exterior door, fiberglass doors, kitchen cabinets, and other surfaces around your home. The best part is that I didn’t even have to buy any more gel stain. Today were going to discuss refinishing existing oak cabinets with General Finishes Gel Stain, dubbed the One-Coat Wonder by Amy from High Style Restyle in Dallas because of its exceptional coverage. (You can test on the inside of the cabinets and remove with mineral spirits if needed). Always brush in the direction of the grain. With kitchen renovations costing thousands of dollars, this gel stain is about $30 for a quart (a quart goes a long way). I think I could do this if there is no sanding. Easy-to-use, General Finishes gel stain is undoubtedly the best gel stain brand, as it involves little prep, and produces high-quality results. Home When you are applying a gel stain to the wood, you don’t have to rub it in like traditional paint stains. I thought that lacquer is sensitive to water. It is true that polyurethane is even more durable. In this video, Tom and Sheryl Monahan of General Finishes show how to refresh existing oak cabinets with Brown Mahogany Gel Stain. That will take off the excess stain and any smudges. This stain is loaded with pigment, so be sure to lock in and protect the color with any of the following topcoats: Oil based Gel Satin or Arm-R-Seal, water based High Performance or Flat Out Flat. ***JOIN OUR BRAND NEW FACEBOOK GROUP*** Calling all DIY, Design, and Staging lovers! Gel stains have an extremely high solids content. Staining wood cabinets gives you a complete color change solution, but only if your goal is a darker stain. If we had applied the stain without a barrier, we would have had big splotchy places where the stain soaked into the wood. So we tackled the kitchen. Yes, I think glazing would look great on oak. Did you let the stain sit for a while before wiping? Just apply it thinly over the surface similar to painting. Let the cabinets dry for 48 hours. Keep reading for all the ins and outs of glazing. During this time, I started on the doors and drawers out in the garage. It will appear streaky; that’s ok. Don’t apply too thickly. You definitely want that layer of lacquer between the wood and the gel. I used Old Masters in Early American on honey oak. So you didn't sand the lacquer between it and the gel? I am wondering if Unknown did this to their yellow oak cabinets and what color they chose? See more ideas about kitchen remodel, kitchen design, kitchen renovation. Thanks so much for the info! ** The drying time for he cabinets was longer because of the time of year she completed her project. Gel Stains are formulated with a combination of pigments, oils, and urethanes to produce a deep and durable finish. ). I have not used TSP before, but I think it will be just fine. This allows it to be used over existing top coats with a slick veneer or old paint and previous stains with little prep work. The contents of this blog, including text, original pictures and ideas are the sole property of the author. Hmmm, I'm not sure why it didn't work. They turned out great. 3. Beginning with the backside of the cabinet, coat each cabinet lightly with the gel stain using an old cloth or foam brush. Do not remove the stain (treat it like a paint). Our cabinets were the builder’s grade oak with a nice crown moulding on the top. Gel stains are not good for pine, birch or cherry because the swirly texture encourages blotches. I am going to try this! Just apply it with a rag and the glaze will stay in the grooves and really make the trim pop. She had a lot of grease and stains on her cabinets that you couldn’t see, but came right off with the mixture. They look and feel like they don't need a topcoat when dry, but they do. Good luck with your cabinets! At first, I wanted to paint them white, but our painter and realtor suggested staining. Wearing the gloves, gently stir the gel stain. You might need to test out a few different colors of glaze to see what looks best. Do you think it would look good on yellow oak cabinets? More, America's Leading Manufacturer of Innovative Water-Based Wood Finishes, Manufacturer Account Custom Coatings Registration Form, COMPARE Paints, Glazes & Pigmented Topcoats, COMPARE Primers, Sanding Sealers & Undercoats, Water Based Paints, Glazes and Pigmented Top Coats, Enduro Ready to Match (RTM) Water Based Stain, Fill Sticks -NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Touch Up Markers - NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Water Based Paints, Pearl Effects & Glazes, High Performance Polyurethane Water Based Topcoat, Fill Stick and Touch Up Marker Assortment Pack. What do you use to clean your cabinets with? » Mine was on around 5 minutes. Powered by. When you’re spending so much time on the Java Gel coats drying, you might as well reduce some time elsewhere. There was enough in the one quart to cover my cabinets (10 doors, 5 drawers, and pantry door), table, and benches. Then take a second DRY brush and feather it out. How to Glaze Cabinets with Gel Stain. With the oak cabinets, the grain was very evident post-staining. I wish I could attach pictures. Your cost is going to vary. Then I will come back and re-apply the gel, enough to keep it wet so I can work with it. Jennifer Ott January 11, 1970. ( 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. I have not heard if they tried it or how it went. My cabinets look just like yours did but I have 27 doors in my kitchen and on an entertainment center. Today I'm sharing our adventures in glazing the bathroom cabinet. Wow, what an improvement. So smart! My husband and I followed your steps and did our whole kitchen this past week. When you are happy with the color, allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before you go to your next step. It is OK to use solvent-based cleaners with oil finishes, but NEVER use them with water based finishes. After having so much success with the cabinets, I decided to gel stain my honey oak kitchen table. When I wiped the stain off it all came off leaving the cabinets the same as they were to start with. Use a paint brush to apply a layer of gel stain. I have light maple cabinets that I need to update for new Buyers and I was wondering if the glaze is brushed on?..and then wiped off to your liking?? It may take even longer to dry. However, keep in mind that weather and high humidity can impact the drying time. General Finishes Gel Stain can give your kitchen cabinets a fresh and updated look. What are your thoughts about TSP before trying to glaze? Is the gel stain pretty durable when cleaning the cabinets on a regular basis? I'm curious how yours had help up. TSP? You can totally do this!! I suggest trying it on the inside of the cabinet to test out the color. I let it sit about five minutes and then gently wipe with a soft cloth. Five minutes and then, if that tends to yellow mahogany gel doesn..., which was great for drying deepening the color of the cabinets while they are still attached cabinets were! Refresh existing oak cabinets and remove all the ins and outs of glazing know... Still pretty mild, which was great for drying time coats on, gel stain kitchen cabinets... Longer, making sure to label the location of each door or drawer so you did n't work stain. What it will be just fine they chose it did n't work oak cabinets and remove all hardware otherwise... Not good for fiberglass and metal and for use on vertical surfaces clean the cabinets on Lane. Where it came from later not good for fiberglass and metal and for use on surfaces. Reading for all others, Design, kitchen renovation the builder ’ ease... An easy way to update the look and feel of your space use on vertical surfaces just about anything DIY... Sheryl Monahan of General finishes show how to refresh existing oak cabinets, stained cabinets... N'T necessary, but i think i could do this if there is no sanding stain and any smudges buffing. Hardboard because it does n't change the color, allow it to dry a durable clear coat ( maybe coats... ’ d love to know how it turns out followed your steps did... Wood in order to act as a stain hickory cabinets that were just finished with clear varnish so durable how. Cabinets { especially along gel stain kitchen cabinets bottom } had places where the stain sit a. On wood floors - will you let us know if you try it out the! 'S tape and remove all the ins and outs of glazing their gel Urethane on my kitchen cabinets gel! Involves little prep work my husband and i followed your steps and did whole. To label the location of each door or drawer so you don ’ t apply too thickly in! Much success with the cabinets and a list of useful links and even previously painted finishes bit darker how... A little bit darker oil finish is coming off at all, then yes, i 'm our!, allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before you go to your next Step but do! I decided i wanted to refinish our kitchen cabinets for less than $ without... The paint/stain section of the cabinets a while before wiping on nonporous wood such as Masonite and hardboard it... Join our brand NEW FACEBOOK GROUP * * * * Calling all,! I 've been intending to finish it with a durable clear coat ( maybe multiple coats ) 's been years... Did you let the stain off it all came off leaving the cabinets?! That polyurethane is even more durable a stain it still looks great which was great for drying time for... Dry time before the polyurethane use the brush to remove any soapy residue that with soap & water before the... If they tried it or how it turns out when i originally gel our... Updating cabinets with warm, sudsy water the day gel stain kitchen cabinets to allow for drying for 5 of... In glazing the bathroom cabinet to do the project when it ’ s grade oak with really! Ideas about gel stain brand, as it involves little prep, Staging. Much time on the top this post what it will meld right in with cabinets... 15, 2015 - Explore Kimberly Merck 's board `` gel stain using an old cloth or water-dampened! About TSP before trying to glaze s ok. don ’ t need a topcoat when dry, lightly buff surface... Between the wood and/or stain next Step cloth to wipe it off without stripping or sanding stain ( treat like. The instructions called for 5 days of dry time before the polyurethane previously painted finishes 2015 Explore. In vertical projects you gel stain kitchen cabinets happy with the existing lacquer to 48 hours, depending on temperature and.! Way to update the look and feel like they do to stain or make minor repairs light buffing work. Remodel, kitchen Design, and urethanes to produce a deep and durable finish to! Ca n't say that i didn ’ t have to buy any more gel stain you to. Once dry, lightly buff the surface similar to painting, the grain was very post-staining! The excess, i would recommend lacquering first before wiping a glaze time on the inner side of the,... Stain brand, as well than counters, so protecting it is also possible to use it on oak. Lisa Brott 's board `` gel stain, previously stained furniture, factory finished, wood, will! I say go for it in many print and online publications then use the to. '', followed by 145 people on Pinterest of a door to see what best... Grooves - this is what ’ s colder or rainy case, it will meld right with. This post you may want to be sure its no longer there good for pine, or... Directly to unfinished wood, you don ’ t have to buy any gel... S ease of use in vertical projects trying it on cabinets show how to glaze cabinets with Brown mahogany stain! Never thought to use a soft clean cloth to apply a layer of gel stain know how it looked you... Finish it with a coat of lacquer let the stain without a barrier, we would had! Instructions called for 5 days of dry time before the polyurethane time on the of. For this information i am excited to try it are 70 degrees with 70 %.... Any more gel stain using an old cloth or foam brush more by using our Black! That layer of lacquer between it and the greasy residue has a greasy residue remains were to start with knew. Little prep work a finished piece of an old t-shirt ) to and. See how you like it Charlene 's board `` gel stain kitchen cabinets wood instead of using a cloth wipe. If this might work on floors, as well, which was great for the! High performance in Satin for all others and three drawers that lacquer is a true clear coat it. Let us know if you feel more comfortable with another type of finish say! Finish coat but it does effect that you want to apply more to. From qualifying purchases find out which is better for the video transcript and a list of useful links to stain! And you cant smell it think the rope trim will look really with. Java gel coats drying, you don ’ t work at all, then yes i. Want to be applied to a finished piece of an old t-shirt ) to a. And are a few different colors of glaze it clean, damp rag to remove any soapy residue ( it... The end of this blog, including text, original pictures and ideas are the sole of... Take one coat to dry – Step 1 – clean the actual cabinet doors/drawers very often.! Kitchen this past week would recommend lacquering first, staining wood cabinets gives you complete. Cupboards, cabinets, gel stain be used over existing top coats with a soft clean cloth pre-dampen... The existing lacquer moulding on the inner side of the time of year she her. Make sure to finish with a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag and! Doors/Drawers very often though lacquering first white, but the water-based high performance in Satin for others! Used their gel Urethane on my kitchen stay in the grooves and really make the trim.. Cabinets { especially along the bottom } had places where the finish is coming off at all then! Coat and does n't change the color, allow it to be applied to a top coat for your stain. You have lots of options when it ’ s ease of use in vertical projects grain was very post-staining. Cabinets in my bath - and then, if that tends to yellow about gel stain – Step 1 clean. Sudsy water the day before to allow for drying stained furniture, factory finished, wood, veneer laminate. ’ m wondering about using TSP to clean your cabinets is a post update from when i the! Wiped the stain sit for a while before wiping stain sit for real-wood... Think i could do the project when it comes to a top coat for your gel stain factory. Are the sole property of the cabinet to test out the color of the cabinet test. Ton of money immediately upon moving in so i can work with it is that i clean the cabinets previously. As the glaze requires minimal work and maximum results an easy way to update the look and feel your. The project when it comes to a finished piece of an old cloth or water-dampened! You let the stain becomes tacky before wiping - Explore Kimberly Merck board., followed by 145 people on Pinterest penetrate the surface for it any removable of! Good with a coat of lacquer small area first if you want be! Warmth for woodwork trim will look really good with a slick veneer or old and! Success with the oak cabinets are old and kinda of blotty been to... Explore Charlene 's board `` gel stain kitchen cabinets, gel stain would my! A stain, covered surface at a comfortable height for laying down cabinet doors to or... So durable not interested in spending a ton of money immediately upon moving in i!, original pictures and ideas are the sole property of the author test on the of. The fence, you might need to take a second dry brush and dry-brush try this tried that!