I have read and re-read this post a thousand times. And just like Sherry74, I have spent well over $100 dollars on several stains, GF, Minwax Polyshades, Old Masters, Minwax Express, and even Varathane Stain+Poly. I have been practicing on a scrap cabinet sectioned off into small squares by blue tape, and for the past two months my fingers have been permanently stained brown. My goal has never been dark cabinets, but rather a rich medium brown (think warm walnut) that still allows the wood to show through. I have tried everything with the gel stain, quick wipe on - wipe off, longer wait time followed by wipe off, no wipe off, all applied in every way conceivable; sock, foam brush, and a good quality paint brush. Everything ended up looking about like Sherry74's cabinets. Then I tried building up layers of Polyshades, that went on so translucently that by the time I got to the color I wanted, there was sticky residue in every corner. However, enough experimenting to rival a woodshop, I think I have finally found the magic combination. * First a good cleaning with a green scrubbing pad and cleaner. * Then a very light sanding just to scuff the surface. * Next two lightly brushed on coats of brown paint mixed 1 part paint to 4 parts Valspar Clear Mixing Glaze. This tones down the grain and seals the dryest parts while staying translucent. (I used Valspar paint in Pumpernickel.) There is a great blog out there by Jenny on her blog Anything Pretty (linked at the bottom?) * Then one lightly brushed on coat of a 1:2mix of GF Walnut gel stain and Polyshades in Honey Satin. * Finally, when completely dry, one to two coats of GF Wipeon Clear Gel Coat. This method allowed all the working time of regular stain, without all the sanding. I am ready to start in my master bathroom. I will post pictures when I get done.

elisalinscott - I know a few people that have Dura Supreme cabinets and love them. My mother has some that are about 7 years old I think and she loves them still. I'm planning a kitchen remodel in the next 2-3 years and have been seriously considering them. When I was looking at reviews I ran into a site called kitchencabinetsreviews.com and got thrown off, but I was curious what organization the site was with, it didn't say how they were really associated with cabinets. Then I looked up who owns the web address and found that the owner of that website also is the owner of a website for an online cabinet company called US Home Products that sells MidContinent cabinetry which seemed kind of odd if you ask me. I've seen a few other review sites that look fishy for other products too. You gotta be careful where you get your advice. The best thing to do is find someone who actually owns the product and also see it and test it in person. Hopefully HAGS00 will respond and let us know what they think of their purchase. I'd love to know too.

Why would finger-joint prevent staining? Finger-joint is a way of joining the stile and rail or casing of a typical window and when done well, is a very strong joint. They should be invisible when one looks at the stile and the rail. Even if they are visible, as in some older well made high quality furniture, owners normally stain them to show off the fine construction. We had two all wood windows before replacing them with AL clad. We stained the exterior wood with multiple coats of marine-grade stain once a year. They held up really well for over 9 years in searing 100 degree heat and wet and cold. If we did not become tired of the annual cleaning and staining, we would have kept them.

@ hollysprings - I respectfully disagree with your statement, ''Don't put money into the house that you will never ever get back.'' Especially if someone plans on staying in a house for a long period of time and can afford to, they should build whatever kitchen they want if it makes them happy. Houses are more than just investments; they are someone's home. I regret not making upgrades (that I knew I would not recoup) 14 years ago. I could have been enjoying them all this time. As someone else on GW said, ''Build a house for yourself, not some unknown potential buyer in the future whose likes/dislikes you don't know.''