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How To Apply Gel Stain | EASY Step by Step

May 5, 2020 by Denise - 66 Comments

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HOW TO APPLY GEL STAIN TO EASILY TRANSFORM YOUR DATED FURNITURE | PINE CHEST BEFORE AND AFTER [VIDEO]

How To Apply Gel Stain
Hi sweet SI family! Today is all about How To Apply Gel Stains and why I MUCH prefer it over traditional stains. Gel stain makes it easy to transform your dated furniture (or old cupboards) with an existing factory finish.  It also works amazingly well on hard to stain raw woods like aspen, maple or pine.

WHY I LOVE GEL STAINS

  • No need to sand down to bare wood
  • Can be used over an existing finish (with light sanding)
  • No drips or runs even on a vertical
  • Darker coverage with fewer coats
  • Super easy to work with

I started with this blanket box. I’ve owned this pine chest for over 20 years! It’s been a coffee table, end of the bed storage box, and for the last several years it’s been in my back room used as a bench.

I didn’t notice how scratched up it was until I brought it down to my sanding room. Does anyone else have a fur baby that scratches up furniture? My Gidgy is lucky she’s SO darn cute! 😉

Pine Blanket Chest Before

Here’s the new look. The top has been gel stained in walnut. It looks like an entirely different piece!

Pine Chest Stained w Gel Stain

Close Up of Painted and Stained Blanket Box

Pine Chest Stained w Gel Stain and WoodUBend

How To Use Gel Stain on Furniture

THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE.  YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.

SOURCE LIST::

HOW TO APPLY GEL STAIN::

I’ve been using traditional stains and Gel Stains for many years but I remember the first time I tried Gel Stain — it was intimidating.

I had sanded down a tabletop to bare wood and then stained it an awful yellow. Even though I hated the look, I had my reservations about smearing some dark pudding-like goop over top of it. But I’m SO glad I did! You can see the very first table I gel stained here.

Since then I’ve been hooked and rarely use traditional stains.

Here’s a video with a gel stain in action!

If you have any problems viewing it you can watch it here on my Youtube Channel.

STEP #1

Open the can and give the stain a good mix.

STEP #2

Apply a decent amount to your applicator pad. You can also use a shop towel or lint-free rag. I’ve used all of the above and they all work really well.

STEP #3

Smooth the Gel Stain on your piece in the direction of the grain. I like to work in rows and use the long side of the applicator pad so I get 4-6″ of coverage. I find it easier to work in smaller sections rather than apply the gel stain to the entire piece all at once.

STEP #4

Once the entire tip is covered in gel stain, I take a shop cloth and gently wipe up any excess. To apply a second coat 6-8 hours is recommended because it is an oil-based product.

STEP #5

Seal and protect the stain with a topcoat. I haven’t top coated yet. I’m embarrassed to admit I had my days mixed up and thought I had another to before posting… but I will be top coating with Gator Hide. This will make it super durable, easy to clean, and waterproof!

Side View of Painted and Stained Blanket Box

Pine Chest Stained w Gel Stain IG

Painted And Stained Pine Chest

 

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF GEL STAIN AND THIS PINE CHEST … OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.

Thanks for reading. 🙂
Wishing you a beautiful day filled with inspiration and Happy Painting friends!

Denise XO

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Comments (66)

  1. Half of our kitchen cabinet doors is down to bare wood and the other half is painted white. The goal was to strip them and stain them all. Previous owners used an oil based paint of about 3 layers. It is now becoming quiet a task to remove all the paint. What would I need to do to gel stain the cabinets? However, if you have some suggestions on stripping and staining them that would be great too. The cabinets are about 25 to 35 years old.
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Hi Kim. If they are half painted/half stripped I would lean on stripping them all down. Heat gun works great for stripping paint. Chemical strippers work amazing but do smell so good ventilation and protection is needed. Once stripped, a gel stain can easily be applied with gorgeous results.

      Reply

  2. What is the seat you’re using to sit and get around? I recently became disabled in one foot and I think I could still work on pieces in a rolling chair or stool
    Thank you

    Reply

  3. I love all the information on how to apply the gel stain, can you direct me to maybe a prior posting about how to create the paint look on the chest with the shadows of the darker color near the appliqués. I see there were three colors used so I’d love to know how they were used on this piece. Thank you

    Reply

  4. This is a beautiful piece! My question has to do with kitchen chairs. The chairs have stained oak seats while the rest of the chair is painted. Can I use the gel stain on the seat and use Gator Hide? Will that hold up to people sitting on them?The
    Thanks,
    Sue

    Reply

    • It sure would! If they were my chairs I would give the stained seat a light sanding to scruff up the existing finish. Then use gel stain. Then Gator Hide. They would be super durable and easy to clean. 🙂

      Reply

  7. Absolutely gorgeous! I love all of your work but this piece is stunning. I really enjoyed the Youtube tutorial. You always make everthing look so easy. Also, I really loved the stool with wheels you used…genius!

    Reply

  8. I have been wanting to use gel stain to redo my back door. When I finished it years ago. .long before there was YouTube and helpful bloggers such as yourself… I used a stain and polyurethane combo. Which at the time, was great for me. Will a light sanding be enough to use gel stain? I am hoping to achieve a darker, richer wood tone.
    Keep smiling!
    Margie

    Reply

    • Hi Margie! I would do a little test area before tackling the entire door but I’m confident with sanding, the gel stain will work great!

      Reply

  10. Hi Denise
    Would this work on a veneer table top. My dining room table has a veneer top with an oak base.
    Julie

    Reply

  12. Do you think it would work on a builder-grade bathroom vanity? I’m desperate not to paint them but the color is so off.

    Reply

    • Hi Annie! Yes, it will work amazingly well on a builder-grade bathroom vanity. A light sanding is required and then I would test in an inconspicuous area (at the side) to test how it interacts with the existing finish. If you like the color, you’re good to go. 🙂

      Reply

  14. I love the color and finish of the bottom of the chest as well. What did you use get that finish.

    Reply

    • Thanks Anne! I used Dried Sage, Gravel Road and Driftwood. Sage was the base color. I sea sponged over it in Driftwood. And then the gravel road is the dark patina you see. 🙂

      Reply

  15. Stunning makeover on your pine blanket chest, Denise! Love the WoodUbend accents and pretty walnut stained top. I’ll be refreshing a table soon that I don’t want to sand to the raw wood with gel stain and hope I get the same beautiful results you did.

    Reply

    • Thanks Marie! And I know your table is going to be stunning like everything you do. I can’t wait to see! 🙂 I have my kitchen table I’d like to refinish as well. I’m just not sure whether to stain or paint. 😐

      Reply

  16. Gorgeous makeover, my friend! Saving these chests are so important because they hold precious cargo. Like those vintage quilts. ❤️ Wow! Great transformation. 😘

    Reply

  17. Beautiful! Gel stain is such an easy way to change the color of an existing stained finish. I love the accents you added. The chest looks 1000% better!

    Reply

  19. Hi Denise- I love your chest and posts! I have been wanting to try a gel stain but not sure if it would be right for my project. I have solid maple kitchen cabinets and island. I would like to lighten them up to a “freshly cut” look. They have a mid tone stain. I am adding a new unfinished cupboard to the island and want them to blend. Would you recommend I sand them down first before using a gel stain?

    Reply

    • Hi Peg and thanks! Hmmm, it’s a bit challenging to answer without seeing but from what you’re describing, a gel stain will work on your cabinet and island. But the trick would be to get it to match on the unfinished cupboard. If you want an exact match, sanding down the maple would give the best results. That said, is your unfinished cupboard a maple? If you’re working with 2 different species of wood, they will take stain differently.

      Reply

      • Denise,
        It’s beautiful! I love everything you do, I see you always use the same paint brand and stain. I see all these different paints, and stains. Is there really that much difference in quality? They are all pricey. Everyone has chalk paints, clay paints and mineral paints now. I appreciate your expert advise . I get overwhelmed with all the different ones. Thanks for any help or advise you can give.
        Ranell

        Reply

        • It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the paint brands out there… so many to pick from these days! When I first started painting furniture and funds were tight, I bought latex paints from my ReStore or the mistints at Home Depot and mixed my own DIY Chalky Paints. It’s was way less than purchasing brand name paints and it works really well. I’ve also used Annie Sloan, Bluestone House, Fusion, Mudpaint, and probably a few others I’m not remembering right now. Same for stains. I’ve used Varathane, Minwax, General Finishes and they all work really well. My advice would be to buy what you can afford and test a few of them to see what YOU like working with best. I promise there is no WRONG choice. They all work really nicely. 🙂

          Reply

          • Thank you so much, for the advise and for sharing your work, It helps so much to see the finished product and to have the process to get there explained in such detail. You are a blessing to me and your blog makes me happy!

  20. I have been seriously considering using gel stain on some golden oak kitchen cabinetry so your video was perfectly timed! Do you have any advice or tips on using the gel stain with raised panel doors? And I’m assuming it would be helpful to do at least a light sanding? Thanks so much for your help!

    Reply

    • Hi Lisa! Yes, a light sanding (just enough to scuff up the top coat of your cabinets) is required and raised panel doors are easy. I would work in sections. For instance, start in the center and work your way around to the outside or vice-versa. 🙂

      Reply

  21. Beautiful work!

    Do you think that would work on kitchen cabinets? My kitchen cabinets are starting to show wear and I am looking for a way to touch them up to look better.

    Reply

    • Thanks Kim! And yes! Gel stain works amazing on kitchen cabinets with an existing finish. They would require a light sanding and the best results would come from using a darker stain over what you already have. 🙂

      Reply

  22. You are truly gifted my friend. LOVE your work. I don’t usually stain in any means because of clean up and the smell. What is your favorite way of cleaning up. I have a piece that could truly use the gel stain, but I would like more info before I try and tackle it. Thank you. Cindy

    Reply

    • Aw thanks, Cindy! And my favorite way of cleaning up when using oil-based products to throw everything in the garbage. For instance, I won’t be reusing the applicator pad again. I wait for it to dry out 100% (oil-based products are flammable so you have to be really careful and dry them out 1000%!) and then dispose of it. With water-based products I clean everything and reuse. 🙂

      Reply

  24. OMG it’s just stunning Denise-the trunk went from plain Jane to such a beauty! You certainly have an eye for transforming furniture into an elegant piece. I’ve been following you long enough to see you redo a piece – the fuschia dresser ! But now I have questions on the furniture I’m working on, can we email you with questions? It’s all for me or family, Thanks, Peggi

    Reply

    • Hi Peggi and thank you! You can reach me via the contact page. I get quite a bit of email but I try to process it every few days. 🙂

      Reply

    • Thanks Beth! I used Dried Sage, Gravel Road, and Driftwood. Sage was the base color. I sea sponged over it in Driftwood. And then the gravel road is the dark patina you see. 🙂

      Reply

  27. Hi Denise. Beautiful pine chest makeover. You totally updated the look. I’m loving the interest you added with the WoodUBend, the choice of color, and the sumptuous stained lid. Simply stunning.

    Reply

      • Your chest is beautiful!!
        Love gel stain. Used on my oak kitchen cabinets over 20+ years ago. Restained a couple of times. .Looked wonderful. Easy to use. After renting the house for 10 years with no care given to them by the tenants, they still look really good!!

        Reply

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