$3686
- Use on wood surfaces
- Covers 200 sq. ft. per quart
- 1 coat(s) recommended for best results
- View More Details
How to Get It
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
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. Colonial Maple Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Oak Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain | 1 qt. Black Oil-Based Interior Wood Gel Stain |
| Price | $3686 | $3886 | $3909 | $4524 |
| Ratings | (214) | (0) | (107) | (214) |
| Container Size | 1 Quart | 1 Quart | 1 Quart | 1 Quart |
| Base Material | Oil Based | Oil Based | Oil Based | Oil Based |
| Transparency | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent | Semi-Transparent |
| Paint/Stain Features | No Drip | No Drip | No Drip | No Drip |
| Product Form | Gel | Gel | Gel | Gel |
| Wood Effects | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect | No Additional Effect |
| Number of coats recommended | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Coverage Area (sq. ft.) | 200 | 200 ft² | 200 ft² | 200 ft² |
| Application Method | Brush,Pad,Roller | Brush,Pad,Roller | Brush,Pad,Roller | Brush,Pad,Roller |
| 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 |
| Surface Material Use | 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
Typical questions asked about products:
- Is the product durable?
- Is the product easy to use?
- What are the dimensions of the product?
Customer Reviews
Sep 17, 2021
Love this stain!
I used this stain to update a medium oak colored recessed window. I found the best technique was not a sock (like some blogs suggest) but a brush. Clean up is difficult because the stain is oil based, and I recommend using a respirator because the chemical scent is strong - but it is worth it because it goes on quickly and covers well. The stain was packaged very well to prevent dents and leaks.
by
Jan 29, 2021
Love the ease of using the General Finishes gel stain...
Love the ease of using the General Finishes gel stain in the Java color. Completely transformed our master bathroom cabinets and front bathroom cabinets!! They look awesome- like new.
by
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
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
Jul 29, 2020
YES YOU CAN USE IT ON FLOORS!
I wanted my floors done in Java. I called the company and they said yes you can do floors, it’s not just for furniture. I have about 2000 sq. Ft., it didn’t even take two gallons. Finished it off with a satin finish. They are beautiful
by
Jun 16, 2020
Very easy to work with..Love the change it has made..
Very easy to work with..Love the change it has made..
by
May 30, 2020
Turn out awesome
Turn out awesome
by
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
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
Jul 31, 2019
Easy to use. Made an older vanity look fresh and new.
Easy to use. Made an older vanity look fresh and new.
by
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