Apply First Coat of Gel Stain

What happens in this clip

Don a fresh pair of gloves. Open the General Finishes Gel Stain and mix it thoroughly. If you don't have a stir stick, a plastic knife works as a suitable alternative. Using a foam brush, apply the gel stain with light, even strokes, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. A helpful tip is to stain the back of the cabinet doors first; this way, if any smudges occur while flipping them onto painter's pyramids, only the less visible back side is affected. Continue applying the stain, but avoid the 'chip brush method' (applying with a foam brush and wiping off excess with a chip brush dipped in mineral spirits), as this can lead to streaky results.

Goal: Apply an even first coat of gel stain to all cabinet surfaces.

What's used

Tools

• Aluminum Foil
• Disposable Vinyl Gloves Firm Grip Pro Paint
• Nitrile gloves
• Foam Brushes
• Microfiber applicators
• General Finishes Gel Stain General Finishes
• Paint (for a solid color finish)
• Painter's Pyramids
• Small cans
• Plastic Knife
• Wooden dowel

About the full video

This project details how to transform golden honey-colored kitchen cabinets into a rich antique walnut finish using gel stain and a wipe-on poly topcoat. It covers all necessary preparation steps including taping, removing doors, thorough cleaning, light sanding, and dust removal. The process emphasizes proper application techniques for gel stain and topcoat, as well as crucial drying times, to achieve a durable and aesthetically pleasing result.

Step 4 of 5: Apply Gel Stain or Paint

If using gel stain, apply it with a foam brush or rag in the direction of the wood grain, wiping off excess with a clean rag. If painting, apply thin, even coats of your chosen paint using a high-quality synthetic bristle brush. Allow each coat to dry completely as per the product's instructions before applying the next coat. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick coat.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Apply Gel Stain (Initial Pass)
• Apply Gel Stain for Wood Grain Effect