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Gel stain over existing finish - what top coat finish?

14 years ago

I wanted a hand rubbed finish but it also needs to be durable since they are cabinets and will be near heat & water.

I am practicing with my bathroom cabinets and if they turn out well, I'll do the kitchen cabinets. So far, I like what I see with the bathroom cabinets but haven't done a door yet.

Has anyone else refinished their old cabinets with gel stain? If so what finish did you use and on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is a hand rubbed glow and 5 is high gloss, how did it turn out? And more importantly, how has the gel stain and top finish held up?

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Comments (8)

Buehl
14 years ago
The "Read Me" Thread has some information about gel staining as well as links to threads with pictures and more information. Have you see it (and them)? If not, check it out. Scroll down to the post/section w/a subject of "Gel Stain Instructions". Hopefully, you will find the information you seek there. If not, then you might try emailing CelticMoon about it (see https://auth.gardenweb.com/members/celticmoon).

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks buehl. I have read her condensed version before, but not that one. Looks like she used a clear gel finish. Hope I like mine as well as she likes hers when I'm done.
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Jeff - I was looking for this post to give another update and just saw this. I apologize I didn't see it sooner. I'm not on this board a lot. I hope you were able to make something work for you. Using only a little on the tip of the foam brush, working in sections, once I got the product on I tried to even it out the best I could. Pay attention to the pressure you're using and be consistent. Resist the urge to go back and keep fixing it. I'm a perfectionist and this was hard. I can see where someone might be in a panic after one coat because it's not even or pretty, and coat number two isn't much better. I didn't like the cabinets until I hit three. And the decision to add another made me nervous because I wasn't sure if it would completely cover the grain and give me a painted look. I didn't thankfully. Just take your time. You'll find a groove once you get going. As for the update, they're still holding up great. No wear marks and no fading.
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Thanks again - I'm off on Friday so I'll probably head over to the woodworking shop and seek some advice on the gel stain. I can take my time and do it in parts. I really think changing the orangish oak color to something slightly darker (but not too dark) will make the granite with mauve undertones look much better. We're planing on selling in the next few years so I thought an update would be in order but maybe staying with a wood grain as opposed to paint would be preferable for future buyers, although I am considering a 2 tone look and painting just the uppers an off white.
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rumble_s
14 years ago
You definitely don't want to put on more than one coat of gel stain. It will just get darker to the point of looking like paint.

We've put gel stain over previously finished wood with pretty good results. Put several coats of clear gel varnish on top. You can put on satin or gloss - whatever you like. The Gel varnish holds up very well.
User
14 years ago
Marti -
Use the satin gel polyurethane finish over a gel stain, one or two coats. It looks really good, and wears like polyurethane, which is to say, very well.
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Where do you find the gel finish? I've been to 3 stores so far and none carry it.
glenster_jr
14 years ago
Where are you located? Woodcraft stores carry it in Houston.
allison0704
14 years ago
I had already bought the Minwax gel stain to try, so I did it on a piece of trim over the weekend (spare piece, not attached to cabinets). I did 2 coats, but it doesn't look very dark. Just stained. If you guys are leaving it on longer, are you just allowing that "coat" to harden enough where it won't wipe off? Does it not scratch easily? Even with the top finish?

Hope the OP doesn't think of this as high jacking her thread. I've read the other threads, but still not convinced this is what DD2 needs in her home.
User
14 years ago
Marti - "General Finishes" brand is carried by woodworking stores, some Ace Hardware stores but almost no large "home improvement stores.

Look up woodworking stores in your area and call them.

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