Finished kitchen with gel stain.
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8 years ago
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8 years agolast modified: 8 years agojayferg
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best topcoat on General Finishes Gel Stain
Comments (7)You could use gloss, and even go through all the work of rubbing down to a satin (not easy because it's polyurethane). However, streakiness is usually due to insufficient stirring to keep the flatteners in suspension. Because Arm-R-Seal is a wiping varnish* it's more thinned than a brushing varnish so the flatteners fall out of the less viscous liquid much quicker. Thorough stirring before and regular stirring during application is important. I'd stir about every 30 seconds. Another question is how did you apply? That may also contribute to the streaks. I'd stir, put in an open top container, then dip a brush in the container to apply. Throw away anything left in your distribution container once you're done brushing on. * Despite the label saying, "Urethane and Oil Blend" (or at least it used to), it's simply a varnish. If you put a puddle on a piece of glass it will dry smooth and hard. An oil-varnish blend will dry with wrinkles in it. The more wrinkles, the higher proportion of oil to varnish. I've always said to people that this label is like putting "Flour and yeast blend" on a loaf of bread. The creation of varnish combines and cooks the ingredients (resins and oil) in a way to make a new substance, just like baking bread....See MoreWhat General Finishes Top Coat is best for Gel Stain ?
Comments (7)I just called General Finishes. They are EXTREMELY HELPFUL ! I had already purchased the Polyacrylic Water Based top coat and he told me that was incorrect. He said their are so many people posting on Pinterest/internet ect about this top coat so everyone keeps using it but they never meant for the gel stain to be used with the Polyacrylic top coat. He said it will work out fine but it is not the best top coat for gel stain on KITCHEN CABINETS. He explained that the 3 choices were the Endurovar, High Performance Clear and Arm R Seal. He explained the difference in such great detail that honestly I was still a bit confused. I then just asked which one he would use and he said if you have the patience to WAIT A LONG TIME for the top coats to dry then he would choose/likes the Arm R Seal the best. He stressed over and over again the importance of DRY TIME. He discussed how everyone is using the Java Gel Stain like PAINT applying very thick coats and said that if you don't wait approximately 48 hours between EVERY SINGLE COAT of the stain itself and then ONE FULL WEEK before applying the top coat you will not get the best results. He said not waiting says between coats may seem okay when using the gel stain but when you apply the top coats you may get a cloudy film. ( also said all woods are different and people prepare the wood in so many different ways that it is possible for some to report good results WITHOUT waiting the proper dry time but that wont happen for everyone so it is just best to be patient and wait out the dry times ESPECIALLY if you are essentially PAINTING on the gel stain. ) Also mentioned NO sanding in between gel stain coats but YES sanding lightly with 400 grit between top coats ( and of course no sanding the final top coat. I just bought the Arm R Seal as he recommended and we will see how it goes. Guess its a good thing it will take a week to get shipped here so I am FORCED to wait out the appropriate dry time before starting :) still would like to know what everyone has been using as their top coat on kitchen cabinets to reinforce my choice to use Arm-R-Seal.... still so worried about picking the wrong one....See MoreCan I thin General Finishes oil-based Gel Stain?
Comments (5)General makes a poly gel varnish that would do what is suggested above. It would not necessarily make it easier to apply, though, since the viscosity will remain the same; it would just weaken the color; become more transparent. That gel stain sets very rapidly is a known issue. On doors, you want to begin with the panels, finish them to your satisfaction, then wipe down any overage onto the stiles and rails before staining them, and then keep any excess stain off the previously-done panels, because fresh stain will re-dissolve the bits you did earlier, and it is very hard to blend it back in. Casey...See MoreShould I stain these cabinets with General Finishes Java gel stain?!
Comments (11)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?...See MoreNothing Left to Say
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