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. Gel wood stains are heavy-bodied and do not penetrate as deeply into the wood as liquid oil-based wipe-on stains do, providing the deepest, richest colors of any oil-based stain available.
Instructions
General Finishes Gel Stain Application Steps
- Stir the stain to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can.
- Use only with adequate ventilation. Open windows and doors, or use other means to maintain fresh air flow during application and drying.
- If desired, thin stain with mineral spirits. Start by adding 5% by volume and increase up to 15% as needed.
- There is usually no need for a Pre-Stain Conditioner to improve color uniformity. Gel Stain is loaded with pigments that provide deep uniform coverage.
- Test your complete finishing process before starting. The stain color is affected by variances in wood and deepened with the application of topcoat.
- Divide your project into manageable sections: top, side, drawer, door, table seam.
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Hand-Application over Raw Wood:
- Optionally, apply a slip coat of mineral spirits over the raw wood immediately before application to facilitate the flow of stain on the surface and reduce lap marks. (This is not a conditioner)
- Working quickly, apply a LIBERAL coat using a natural bristle brush, foam brush, staining pad, pad applicator or foam roller. Gel Stain dries quickly for all the reasons customers love it: it is loaded with colorants and solids. If not enough stain is used, the surface may dry too quickly, causing an uneven appearance. On large surfaces, leave a wet edge between passes to prevent lap marks. We recommend getting a buddy to help apply the stain.
- Stain your project section by section and wipe off the excess evenly with the grain using absorbent shop towels or open-weave cloths, such as cotton terry towels for larger projects. Check for missed spots and lap marks before moving to the next section. Do NOT use cotton t-shirts to wipe away stain because they will "push" the stain around and not absorb it.
- Immediately correct lap marks by rewetting the entire working area with stain and wiping off the excess.
- Pull excess stain out of corners and details with a natural bristle brush.
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Let the stain dry 12-24 hours in ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C, 50-70% humidity. Inadequate dry time is one of the top reasons for Gel Stain finish failure. If in doubt, wait longer. Increase dry time if:
- Humidity is over 80%
- 3+ coats are applied (not recommended)
- Thick coats are applied
- Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products:
- Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hr before applying water-based products
- Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hr before applying oil-based products
- If Gel Stain is tacky after 5 days, dry time requirements have not been met and it may never dry. The only alternative is to strip off the finish and start over.
- Optional: apply a second coat to deepen the color. Apply no more than 2 coats.
- Finish with 3 coats of General Finishes topcoat, letting each coat dry 72 hours.
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Dry Brushing Over an Existing Finish
- Finishes dry in two directions: upwards the air side and absorption in raw wood. When finishes are applied over an existing finish, dry times must be increased.
- Prepare surface by scrubbing with a 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and water using a Scotch Brite Pad. Lightly sand with fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad. Wipe off dust with an oil-free tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.
- Test your complete finishing process before starting. The stain color is affected by variances in wood and deepened with the application of topcoat.
- Apply stain with a natural bristle brush or foam brush. Feather out uneven areas and pull excess stain from corners using a bristle brush. Discharge accumulated stain from the brush onto a paper towel soaked with mineral spirits as you work.
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Let the stain dry 72+ hours in ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C, 50-70% humidity. You can tell if an oil-based finish is dry if it is no longer tacky, and cool to the touch. If in doubt, wait longer. Increase dry time if:
- Humidity is over 80%
- 3+ coats are applied
- Thick coats are applied
- Applying over products from other brands
- Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products:
- Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hr before applying water-based products
- Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hr before applying oil-based products
- If Gel Stain is tacky after 5 days, dry time requirements have not been met and it may never dry. The only alternative is to strip the finish off and start over.
- Optional: apply a second coat to deepen the color. Apply no more than 2 coats.
- Finish with 3 coats of General Finishes topcoat, letting each coat dry 72 hours
- Painting on Stain Without Wiping Away:
- When painting on Gel Stain without wiping away, let the stain dry 72+ hours between coats in ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C; 50-70% humidity.
- Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products:
- Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hr before applying water-based products
- Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hr before applying oil-based products
Mixing Gel Colors
- Gel stains can be intermixed to create custom colors.
- Gel Stain can be mixed with no more than 10% Liquid Oil Stain is added by volume. The liquid stain will thin the stain, which may help it spread more easily but it will not have as much coverage.
- Gel Stain can be layered over other General Finishes water and oil-based stains. Allow for adequate dry time when layering water and oil products.
SDS
https://generalfinishes.com/wood-finishes-retail/oil-based-wood-stains-sealers/oil-based-gel-stains
