Java Gel Stain Woes

monica20039

12 years ago

Hi everyone! Like many others, I have read celticmoon's directions on using the GF java gel stain. Yesterday i did the prep work and applied the gel stain using a sock and then wiping it right off. It got slightly darker.

I came here and read others experiences and changed my process for the 2nd coat. I used a foam brush, applied the stain and didn't wipe it off. Darker, but not as dark as I'd like and the brush made the finish look a bit streaky.

Tomorrow I will try coat 3, but I am afraid I am doing this all wrong since I am not too thrilled with the results thus far. Will the 3rd coat even out the coverage? Should I be wiping it off? Help please! Thanks so much. :)

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Comments (4)

User
12 years ago
Gel stain is basically a thin paint. Apply multiple coats with THOROUGH drying between coats. No wiping. 2-3 coats usually do the job, but since you wiped coat #1, you may need that third or even fourth coat.
monica20039
Original Author
12 years ago
Great point! I just really want this to work for my cabinets in the kitchen. I am letting the coats dry about 24 hours or so. I hope that's long enough. When I apply the gel with the foam brush, should I be applying a generous amount or thin/light coats? I just don't want brush strokes/streaky finish so I can't decide if I should use the sock or stick with the foam brush.
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Take it from me, if you can afford new cabinets - do it! A fresh coat of paint or darker stain will definitely help, but you'll probably still be left feeling like your kitchen is somewhat dated. You have a great space to work with! I had the dreaded orange oak cabinets too, so I feel your pain. I couldn't afford new cabinets about 5 years ago so I painted mine. I didn't want dark/stained so I picked a soft gray color. By the time I put in new granite, BS, appliances, ect - well I should have just saved up and bought new cabinets. Oh well, lesson learned... But I DO love my kitchen after all the work. I love it wayyyyy better than my old space so I don't regret the decision to paint, it's just that my kitchen still feels dated so it's only a matter of time until the soffit comes down and I get new uppers... To sum it up, paint or stain will definitely improve the space. But new cabinets will make a bigger impact so if you can afford replacing everything then go for it. If you do paint, use quality paint. It's not cheap. I used BM Advanced paint. I won't use anything else going forward. I have found dried food on my cabinets and picked it off with my fingernail and the paint never chips or comes off. Here are two examples in my home. The first is my kitchen. I painted instead of replacing the cabinets. I love the space but it's not my dream space. before after Now here's my second example. This time we replaced the ugly oak cabinet. See what I mean by new cabinets making a bigger impact?
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ghostlyvision
12 years ago
I had to do three or four light coats with a brush (no wiping off) on my bathroom cabinets to get an even look.
Tinsel
12 years ago
I'm so glad I finally figured out the Search function properly! I was just about to post a similar question/issue.

I've just installed a new tile backsplash in our kitchen and of course now the cabs are dingy and ugly and old looking (coming up on 20 years, so no surprise)...so I figured I'd re-stain them. I've done the guest bathroom vanity, but that was a total strip & refinish. I had read celtic moon's instructions before so I figured I'd give it a go since we wanted to go VERY dark on these cabs, and the thought of stripping the entire kitchen just did my head in.

So this morning I removed a drawer front to practise on the back and came up with the same 'problem' - After I prepped, I sponged it on thick, waited a few minutes and wiped it off. Which darkened it a bit, but nowhere near Java!

So, I guess tomorrow I'll try just a super thin layer, not wiped. I hope you post an update, Monica...Or maybe you have and I just need to go search ;)

Java Gel Stain Woes

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monica20039
Original Author

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Java Gel Stain Woes

Comments (4)

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monica20039Original Author

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Tinsel

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monica20039
Original Author