General FinishesNQ Oil Base Gel Stain, 1 Quart, Nutmeg

This was a very easy project as far as cabinet staining/painting goes. These are 30+ year old cabinets, and they are night and day different. I got a $10k estimate to reface. Um that was really out of the budget. I took at day to prep: tape mask and plastic sheeting the floor and walls and then scrubbed with 50/50 alcohol mixture and a green scrub sponge and then sanded with 220 grit sanding paper, and then dusted with a tack rag. The next day I stained everything. I didn’t want to darken the wood a lot, I just wanted a facelift so I only did 1 coat. I painted on the gel stain with a foam brush and wiped off with a “box of rags” paper towel. The key is wiping evenly and pretty much wiping off everything but the thinest layer to avoid streaks. The wood grain still shows through and the grain is pretty on these oak cabinets. I let everything dry 24 hours and did the wipe on poly/clear coat (which is even easier than the stain!). I had a couple of areas that needed wood filler and the stain went on there just perfectly, can’t see it unless you are looking. The key is to prep really well especially on potentially greasy areas around the stove and where hands touch doors etc. As you can see I didn't bother to take the doors off (they NEVER, EVER go back on straight; but I digress) and this really was no problem. Thank you General Finishes for such an easy product to work with, I was dreading it. You save me some $$$! It probably cost me $150 and I had to buy every thing, the foam brushes, rags, gloves, plastic sheeting, carpet protector sheeting, sand paper, wood filler, sand paper block, alcohol, bucket, and green scrubber, tack rags and of course the stain and poly. Happy flipper!!

Used it to stain this reclaimed oak for a barn door. Came out perfect. This door is HUGE and the stain was so easy to get a nice look across the whole door. Love it, worth it

Love the Gel stains by General Finishes. I refinished a bathroom cabinet in Java Gel stain, and now changed a tired, oak banister to this beautiful Nutmeg. The Gel stains requires little prep work, no major sanding prior to staining. Gel stain is unlike other stains, much easier to work with in my opinion. You basically layer the color onto the item to be stained. Was able to save a perfectly good staircase with this product. Make sure you give it at least 24 hours between staining sessions - it really helps. 3 coats seems to be the best coverage and color depth. Planning on refinishing my kitchen with Nutmeg Gel stain next.

This is some GREAT STUFF! Very easy to use, I did do my due diligence and watch a few of General Finishes videos! I used their dry brush method and my bathroom vanity doors look absolutely gorgeous! I will post a pic once I have completed the project! It is still in the drying stage after 2 staining! I have not used the Arm-R-Seal yet, that will happen this week! I highly recommend this stain...it was was my first time doing a DIY project!

the only brand i'll use