- Use on wood surfaces
- Covers 200 sq. ft. per quart
- 1 coat(s) recommended for best results
- See More Details
Frequently Bought Together
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Product Overview
Home of the popular Java Gel stain that has been featured across the nation's social media for upcycling furniture and cabinets. Gel Stains are heavy-bodied and do not penetrate as deeply into the wood as liquid oil-based stains do, providing the deepest, richest colors of any oil based stain available. Gel Stains are finely ground pigments oil in urethane. They wipe on and produce beautiful hand rubbed finishes. Gels are a thicker consistency than liquid oil base stains, so no drips, runs or spills.
- A topcoat is required
- Recommended topcoats include arm-r-seal (GF.ASQT) and gel stain topcoat (GF.SQ)
- Gel stains can be mixed together with other gel stains to make more stain options
- Can be used on raw wood only for best results
- Ideal drying conditions are 70F and 70% humidity
- Dry-time to touch is 8 hours
- Dry-time to re-coat with stain is 24 hours
- Dry-time to re-coat with stain when using the wipe-off method is 24-48 hours
- Dry-time to apply an oil-based topcoat is 24-48 hours
- Dry-time to apply water-based topcoats is at least 72 hours
- Dry-time before light use is 7-10 days
- Each dry-time may be longer if used over existing finishes
- Cure time is 30 days
- Viscosity is very thick
- Gel stain will not amber
- Gel stain can be applied by apply on/wipe off method, painting the stain on or dry brushing
- Gel stain cannot be sprayed
- Not recommended mixing this product with products from other brands
- Online price includes PaintCare fee in the following states: CA, CO, CT, DC, ME, MN, OR, RI, VT, WA
- California residents
Info & Guides
Compare Similar Interior Wood Stains
|  |  |  | |
| Brand | General Finishes | General Finishes | General Finishes | General Finishes |
| Name | 1 qt. Gray Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Ash Gray Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Georgian Cherry Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. New Pine Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain |
| Price | ||||
| Ratings | (198) | (1) | (198) | (0) |
| Container Size | 1 Quart | 1 Quart | 1 Quart | 1 Quart |
| Base Material | Oil Based | Oil Based | Oil Based | Oil Based |
| Paint/Stain Features | No Drip | No Drip | No Drip | No Drip |
| Transparency | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent |
| Product Form | Gel | Gel | Gel | Gel |
| Number of coats recommended | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wood Effects | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect |
| View Product | View Product | View Product | View Product |
Compare Similar Interior Wood Stains
| | | | |
| Brand | General Finishes | General Finishes | General Finishes | General Finishes |
| Name | 1 qt. Gray Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Ash Gray Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Georgian Cherry Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. New Pine Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain |
| Price | ||||
| Ratings | (198) | (1) | (198) | (0) |
| Container Size | ||||
| Base Material | ||||
| Paint/Stain Features | ||||
| Transparency | ||||
| Product Form | ||||
| Number of coats recommended | ||||
| Wood Effects | ||||
| View Product | View Product | View Product | View Product |
Specifications
Dimensions
Container Size
1 Quart
Coverage Area (sq. ft.)
200
Details
Application Method
Brush,Pad,Roller
Base Material
Oil Based
Color Family
Gray
Color/Finish
Gray
Dry to touch (min.)
480
Interior/Exterior
Interior
Number of coats recommended
1
Number per Package
1
Paint/Stain Clean Up
Mineral Spirits
Paint/Stain Features
No Drip
Paint/Stain/Waterproofer Product Type
General Purpose
Product Form
Gel
Returnable
90-Day
Substrate Condition
Bare Wood,Finished Wood,Stained Wood,Unfinished Wood
Substrate/Surface Use Type
Wood
Time before recoating (hours)
24
Transparency
Semi-Transparent
Vertical/Horizontal
Vertical / Horizontal
Wood Effects
No Additional Effect
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer Warranty
No
Questions & Answers
24Questions8Answers
How bad are the fumes? Is the odor strong ?
Asked by Chris January 31, 20210
AnswersCan you use this over a built-in hallway cabinet that was painted white previously? The cabinet ...
Asked by BayRunner January 10, 20212
AnswersYes, absolutely! The coverage of this item is amazing. Of course it’ll take more than one coat, but the finished project is always rich & worth it!
Since this is oil based, how bad is the smell?
Asked by Love2diy November 24, 20200
AnswersDo I need to strip the current stain or finish off before applying this gel?
Asked by Vicky November 9, 20201
AnswerYou should test in the inside of your cabinet. I know you need to sand natural wood a little to have something for the gel to soak to.
Can this be used outside - perhaps covered with waterseal?
Asked by Lmm August 28, 20200
AnswersIt’s 100 degrees outside, do i have to open windows for ventilation ?!?!?! I never thought of th...
Asked by Ali July 30, 20202
AnswersVentilation is always a good idea with an oil based product.
Can you use this on engineered hardwood flooring?
Asked by JP July 27, 20201
AnswerIn my experience (intermediate DIYer) I don't know why you couldn't. While I have never done my engineered hard wood, my experience with real wood, plywood, melamine, particle board, just about everything else, I can't come up with a reason why it wouldn't work. I would make sure to poly it good since its a floor. Try it on a scrap piece to make sure you like it first. If you don't have one, the big box stores often have sample pieces lying around.
I need to get this shipped out asap to start my project during my vacation next week. Do you hav...
Asked by bobz June 14, 20201
AnswerThank you for your recent inquiry with The Home Depot. Bobz, this item has a processing time of two days after the order is placed, then 7 days transit time. Hope this helps. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in the future. -The Home Depot-
can this oil based stain be used over the General finishes water based stain that was previously ...
Asked by Disappointed April 10, 20200
AnswersI have ebony oak stained 40year old cabinets. Will a light color gel lighten the color we have now
Asked by Bigred April 8, 20201
AnswerNo. With gel stain in any brand you can go easily go darker, or change the tone, but you cannot go lighter unless you completely strip the old color and re-stain lighter.
Customer Reviews
Oct 7, 2020
This is a great gel stain and it goes a LONG way. I used the Wooster Foam King paintbrushes with...
This is a great gel stain and it goes a LONG way. I used the Wooster Foam King paintbrushes with it for a really smooth finish. This gel stain is so forgiving, and I didn't want a painted look so this is why I went the stain route. I was able to stain ten chairs, a kitchen table, a few other items with this one can. Some items were several coats, other items only one coat. I had spray painted a dining hutch and side board black years ago, so those items really only needed one coat but the chairs and table needed about three coats each. When my husband saw the can he said you're not going to have enough and he was thinking that about just the kitchen table and chairs. He is very impressed. I absolutely love the finish.
by Heather
Aug 1, 2020
I absolutely love this gel stain. I decided to refinish my dining table after seeing a video on Y...
I absolutely love this gel stain. I decided to refinish my dining table after seeing a video on YouTube. It was a total project but the stain did its job. Loved the color and turn out. I loved it so much I did my coffee table and my end tables as well.
by Nelly
Apr 8, 2020
product was very simple to use. Plenty of videos online and from General Finishes. I covered 25 y...
product was very simple to use. Plenty of videos online and from General Finishes. I covered 25 yr old oak cabinets with 2 coats of gel stain, not wiping off stain after applying . 2nd coat covered completely, used a good quality brush for both applications and followed instructions on can. make sure to have adequate ventilation !!!!! as described.very happy with results , finished with 3 coats of general finishes water based satin.
by Lou
Oct 1, 2019
I used this product to remodel stair ballisters and hand rails along with a piece of furniture. T...
I used this product to remodel stair ballisters and hand rails along with a piece of furniture. The coverage is amazing and the results are fantastic. This gel stain does require several coats of clear top coat to protect the finish on any project, so figure that in at the same time when special ordering the stain from Home Depot. I did confirm by calling General Finished customer service that though this stain is 'Oil Based'..that a 'Water Based' clear top coat can be used (Less chemical smell and easier clean up) , so I ordered Traditional Finishes 'Performance' W/B Top Coat. Start with 'wiping' on a light first coat layer Gel Stain (I used Blue Shop Towels) ..let dry (24hrs is best for all drying times)..apply a second coat using a foam brush (Have several on hand as they don't last long)..let the stain dry..touch up any missed areas with a very light amount by again wiping on..let dry and then two to three light coats of Top Coat...It is a bit time consuming but the results of your efforts will be a very proffesional look to your finished project!
by Jimbo
Jun 4, 2019
My cabinets were very tired "retro" appearance. I wanted a dramatic update. Decided to apply 2 h...
My cabinets were very tired "retro" appearance. I wanted a dramatic update. Decided to apply 2 heavy coats with a brush. No rag wiping. Long drying time between coats of gel stain, cuz my brush application was thick. Very happy with results!
Note: I painted cabinet doors while hanging - did not remove hinges. I applied 1 coat of gel stain with the grain and 2nd coat ACROSS the grain for complete coverage. I lost some grain definition with this technique. Next time I will only paint with the grain and expect to apply more coats.
by cher
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