Paint Technique: Gel Stain

Get a high-end look for less with an easy-to-do gel stain process for wooden furniture.

Filed under: Staining, Furniture, Faux Painting, Painting and Finishing

Materials:

unfinished piece of furniture
gel stain
paint brush
rag
polyurethane

Steps:

1. Prepare the surface of the wooden furniture. Unfinished furniture is ready to go, while furniture with an existing finish will need to be lightly sanded. If staining kitchen cabinets, degrease them with rinse-free, tri-sodium phosphate.

2. Brush gel stain generously onto the piece. If staining a large piece, work in sections to prevent drying lines.

3. Take a rag and wipe off the excess gel stain. What remains on the piece creates the finish, so continue to apply stain and wipe to achieve desired result. Let the stain dry overnight.

4. Apply a second coat of gel stain for a darker effect, repeating the brushing on and wiping off process.

5. To add more character to the piece, apply gel stain with a brush directly to the crevices, highlighting the architectural features. Take a rag, wrap it around your finger and lightly wipe the crevices to remove the excess.

6. A more advanced technique adds even more dimension by focusing on the corners. Apply a little bit of gel stain on the tip of the brush and apply it to the corners. Using a rag, lightly blot and wipe the stain in both directions, one to two inches. The stain should look darker in the corners and fade out.

7. Let the gel stain dry overnight. When dry, apply a coat of polyurethane to protect your finish.