Affordable Techniques for DIY Gel Staining Kitchen Cupboards
Hey there! Let's chat about an easy and budget-friendly way to revamp your old honey oak cabinets without all the hassle of stripping and sanding. Here's how to gel stain your cabinets on a budget:
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I've always wanted to update my outdated honey oak cabinets, but the cost of completely replacing them wasn't in my budget. So, I started looking for cheaper alternatives to renovate my kitchen without breaking the bank.
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I considered painting them, but I didn't want to deal with the trouble of stripping and sanding them down. I must admit, I was pretty terrified of messing them up. After doing some research, I found General Finishes Gel Stain in Java.
I spent hours checking out reviews and watching tutorials on YouTube. It seemed intimidating at first, but everyone raved about how easy the process was and the amazing results they got. So, I finally worked up the courage and ordered a quart. Now, it's been almost a month, and I'm in love with my new kitchen cabinets!
Here's a simple step-by-step guide to transform your cabinets with General Finishes Gel Stain on a budget:
Essential Supplies (Cost-Effective Options Included!)
- Foam brushes or cotton socks (optional)
- Tack Cloth
- Sanding Block
- TSP Cleaner
- Masking Tape
- Plastic Drop Cloth
- Nitrile Gloves
- General Finishes Gel Stain (Java)
- Minwax Wipe on Poly (optional)
- Steel Wool (optional)
- Mineral spirits
Let's Stain Those Cabinets!
Step 1:
Remove hardware, doors, and drawers from your cabinets. Label and store them safely in ziplock bags for later.
Step 2:
Wipe down all the cabinets with the TSP cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and grease. If your cabinets are especially greasy, you might need a degreaser as well.
Step 3:
Lightly sand the entire surface with a sanding block for a quick scuff. Spend less than 1 minute sanding both sides of each cabinet.
Step 4:
Wipe the cabinets down with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust.
Step 5:
Use masking tape to protect the walls and floor from the gel stain.
Step 6:
Put on your nitrile gloves and cotton socks (if using), or grab your foam brush, and start applying the first coat of stain. Remember that a thin coat is best.
Step 7:
After applying the first coat, allow it to dry completely. Dry time varies depending on factors like temperature, but the gel stain can take 12 to 24 hours in ideal temperatures. Wait a full 24 hours before applying the second coat.
Step 8:
After the second coat is dry, apply a third coat if needed. Once you're satisfied with the color, move onto the final step.
Step 9:
Apply poly (Minwax Wipe on Poly Satin Finish) to protect your cabinets. Wait 72 hours after the last coat of stain before applying the poly, and add a second coat 24 hours later.
If you'd like to see how I transformed my oak kitchen table with gel stain, check out my post, How to Gel Stain a Kitchen Table.
FAQs & Tips:
- It may look streaky after the first coat, but trust me, it gets better with each coat. Be patient!
- Expect longer dry times if you're doing the project during the colder months. It might still be tacky after 24 hours, and curing could take up to 48 hours.
- Sock brushes are easy to control and great for getting into corners without adding too much stain.
- Light strokes are key. It may take more coats, but you'll end up with better results.
- If the stain goes on thicker in some spots, you can use steel wool to even out the finish in between coats.
- Using General Finishes Gel Stain, I managed to cover 10 cabinets, 5 drawers, a tall pantry, and a kitchen table with 3 coats, and still had some stain left over.
- Use mineral spirits to clean up any spills.
By following these steps and using affordable supplies, you can get professional-looking results for your honey oak cabinets with General Finishes Gel Stain. Happy renovating!
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- Transforming your home with a budget-friendly renovation, my newly-stained honey oak cabinets also gave my living space a trendy home-and-garden makeover.
- Applying the General Finishes Gel Stain to my outdated cabinets resulted in not only a revamped lifestyle but also a charming, aesthetically pleasing home-and-garden environment.
