Gel stain vs. Polyshades
sherry74
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (50)
latimore
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Gel Stain Instructions
Comments (7)P.S. I see it says "please don't respond to thread", meaning that if you respond, it will go to Buehl, and she was just doing a favor reposting the instructions. She won't be able to answer any questions and celticmoon won't see it....See MoreUsing gel stain on my old tables
Comments (5)IÂve used the gel stain to build up a color gradually. On bare wood, regular stain is much easier. But sometimes IÂve bought a piece already finished and wanted it to match my existing furniture better. The gel stain works well for that. It will take much longer to dry over finished wood. Give yourself plenty of time and donÂt rush it. Make sure it is really dry before reapplying the next coat. Like the other poster, I thin it a bit and it spreads better. I use a good quality bristle brush, to get an even thickness of coat is too hard to do with a rag. When it is thinned there will be fewer brushstrokes visible too. IÂve even tinted it with artists oil colors when I wanted to adjust the shade a bit to match something better (though if you do that drying time is increased even more.). I donÂt like Polyshades; it puddles in the low parts....See Morestaining oak cabinets
Comments (5)I prefer the idea of gel staining oak rather than going with white paint. Oak is a beautiful wood that gets beaten down because of the golden 80s-90s look. Gel staining shows the wood to it's finest glory. There are a handful of GWebbers who have gone down this beautiful gel stain path. It is not easy! However, There are also companies that can do this too. I am in the process of tryng to decide if I want to hire someone to tackle a small bathroom project or DIY. I am in the very early stages of removing wallpaper so I will let you know in weeks how this project unfolds. Meanwhile here are some pictures that might inspire. ~boxer GW post Have you gel stained your oak cabinets? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0609355831889.html Gel Stain on Stock Kitchen Cabinets http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0111341112309.html%3F9 gel stain on oak? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wood/msg1114224818712.html?13 Gel stain vs. Polyshades http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0113571013162.html Here is a link that might be useful: scroll down to find link to Celtic Moon's beautiful space...See MoreHow do I get a rich, warm, chocolate brown stain on oak cabinets?
Comments (22)Although this is an older thread, I thought I'd share a solution I came up with for future DIYers who might be stumped. I spent many hours googling, looking for an answer, and I couldn't find one that worked. I am staining yellow pine stair treads that are a little beat up, oak rails and trim, and maple newel posts. I needed something super dark that didn't show much grain so all these woods would blend. After several coats of stain (Minwax Espresso) it just wasn't happening. I had recently painted our brick fireplace a very dark brown (Behr in Dark Cavern) so I decided to try a paint wash over top of the stain. It worked like a charm! Using a slightly damp (and I mean slightly) rag I dipped it into some paint. Then I just wiped it on. Simple! It was pretty easy to wipe on without leaving streaks. (You only need a little.) You can do a second coat if you'd like it even darker. Even if it looks slightly streaky when wet, it will be very hard to see when dry. Then, just poly over it all. Make sure it has plenty of time to cure first, though. Here is a photo showing the difference. The top two are oak. The left had been stained twice, the right only once. The bottom is the pine tread which was also stained twice. You can see the darker areas that I paint washed. I'll post a final photo when we're all done. :)...See Moresherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrickeyee
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoeks6426
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agotntwalter
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohamsundm
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohamsundm
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohamsundm
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohamsundm
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosombreuil_mongrel
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocelticmoon
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoallison0704
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agosherry74
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoallysonp
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agodiscoganya
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agonjcarol
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agonjcarol
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoprojectgirl84
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoEdnamaee
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoD Gillam
9 years agoAlison Empey
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agonosoccermom
9 years agoD Gillam
9 years agoAlison Empey
9 years agowlcollier1955
8 years agoJennette Hutchinson
7 years agorymea
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
Related Stories
DIY PROJECTSCool Tip: Mimic Stain With a DIY Color Wash
Get the look of an oil-based stain without all the bother, using this easy wash made with paint
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Grout — Stains and All
If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean and Care for Your Mattress
See what the experts recommend to protect your mattress from dust, moisture and stains
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESPro Finishing Secret: Aniline Dye for Wood
Deeper and richer than any stain, aniline dye gives wood stunningly deep color and a long-lasting finish
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Refinish a Wood Deck
Keep your deck looking its best — and save feet from splinters — by applying a new stain and sealant every year or so
Full StoryCommon Household Cleansers for Leather Upholstery
Clean and condition your leather sofa, chairs, handbags and more with ingredients already in your cabinets
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESObjects of Desire: Beautifully Individual Concrete Floors
Concrete comes in more colors and finishes than ever before. See if these 6 floors open your eyes to the possibilities
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Remove Water Rings From Wood Tables
You may be surprised by some of these ideas for removing cloudy white water marks from wood surfaces
Full StoryTRIMWhat Color Should You Paint Your Trim?
Learn the benefits of painting your trim white, black, neutral, a bold color and more
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN11 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without a Sledgehammer
Give your kitchen a new look by making small improvements that have big impact
Full Story
Ednamaee