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Does Gel Stain Need a Top Coat?

sofa table finished with gel stain up against a wall

Post Date

Wed, 12/10/2014 - 12:00

Yes. All stains need a top coat. Think of stain as the color and top coat as the sealer and protectant. Discover the best topcoat for your gel stain.

Wooden Door Restoration with General Finishes Gel Stain

front door makeover using general finishes gel stain

Post Date

Wed, 11/25/2015 - 12:00

This project from Daniele of Finding Silver Pennies is an awesome example of the magic GF

Sleek Side Table with General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain

before and after restoration of side table using walnut gel stain

Post Date

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 12:00

Carrie Seitz used General Finishes Antique Walnut Ge

Why or When Should I Use a Dye Stain?

Dye Stains (Water Based)

There are several reasons to choose Dye Stain. Here are a few.

Distressed Secretary Finished by 551 East Furniture Design with General Finishes Basil Green Milk Paint

Post Date

Fri, 09/27/2013 - 12:00

We love this beautiful distressed secretary refinished by Julia of 551 East Furniture Design!

Oil Based Gel Stain

Gel Stain from General Finishes is home of the popular Java Gel Stain featured across the nation's social media for upcycling furniture and cabinets.

GF's Newest Video - How to Apply GF Gel Stain and Gel Topcoat to Raw Wood

Post Date

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 12:00

It's a wrap! General Finishes next round of tutorial videos are on their way! We will be releasing one per week for the month of November so stay tuned.

New Specialty Metallic Paints, Gel Stains and Matte Top Coat

Post Date

Fri, 07/24/2015 - 12:00

General Finishes is excited to show off some our new products of 2015.

How to Update Existing Cabinets with GF Gel Stain

Post Date

Thu, 07/30/2015 - 12:00

In this video, Tom and Sheryl Monahan of General Finishes show how to refresh existing oak cabinets with General Finishes Brown Mahogany

*Can Gel Stain Be Used Over Laminate?

Gel Stains (Oil Based) Milk Paint

GF advises extra care and prep when applying any finish over laminate surfaces because they are specifically designed not to mar and therefore they are not very "sand-able", making adherence difficult.

In addition to this non-permeable surface factor, General Finishes Gel Stain is an oil-based product, and it is more difficult to obtain proper drying characteristics over a dense manufactured surface such as laminate. Gel stains, as all wood stains, were formulated to go over raw wood which has an "open" surface and can absorb some of the stain.