Table Transformation with General Finishes Gel Stain
When my sweet friend asked me if I could transform her table I was really excited to do it. I always love working for friends because I get to see the pieces again and again. I like this because I can see how the products I use hold up.
She wanted to darken the top of the table and paint the base and chairs. I decided I’d use General Finishes Gel Stain because I’ve been wanting to try it. We chose Java.
I’m lucky to have this great Woodcraft store just around the corner from where my friend lives. They carried all the products I needed to do the job. In fact there was so much to choose from I kinda stood in the isle for a bit just to take it all in.
I sanded the top of the table first. This is an important step even though this is a gel stain and bonds well to most pre-finished surfaces. There was a lot of poly on this table so I needed to sand it off to make sure the stain had something to bond to.
I applied a generous amount of gel stain with a foam brush.
Then using a lint free rag I removed the excess. After I let the stain dry for several hours, I VERY lightly sanded the top again with a 400 grit paper and then applied an additional coat of stain.
General Finishes Gel Stain has poly in the stain but it’s also a great idea to topcoat. I used General Finishes gel topcoat. It provides a very durable satin finish.
It can take 24-48 hours to dry however so be prepared for that depending on the humidity in your area.
Next it was time to transform the chairs. We chose Annie Sloan in Old White. This is my most popular color. It’s so versatile and goes with most any style.
New fabric for the seats was the perfect finishing touch.
I then did just a bit of distressing on the chairs and waxed them with clear wax and buffed.
I think they turned out beautiful. How about you?
Do you have a custom painting need? If you are within 1 hour of Fairview TN, email me at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com for pricing and details.
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It looks awesome Beth!
Okay I keep seeing blogs about this stuff and I think it is time for me to give it a try. This table looks fantastic! You did a great job on it! I think my own dining table may be my first project using this.
I have some General Finishes products waiting to be opened. This is good inspiration to get started.
~Michelle
Looks great! My hubby loves shopping at Woodcraft!
I hadn’t been there until now. I think I’m going to take some of the classes they offer.
Love Java gel stain! I have used it numerous times! Great idea that I have never thought of!Just beautiful!! I may just have to copy this for my kitchen table!
Thanks!!!
The table looks beautiful! I’m thinking of trying the gel stain on an old pine entertainment center and I don’t want it to get as dark as some of the other pictures online for the Java. Is that table top also pine or a harder wood? I’m afraid the pine might turn out splotchy as it’s a soft wood. Thanks!
It’s pine. GF has several different colors of stain to choose from so you could always get something a little lighter. Just add one coat at a time until you get the darkness you like. 🙂
~Beth
I love this look. I recently did a built in bookcase with a similar look. I have worked with this gel stain on several projects. (and love it) I am surprised to see you say you don’t need to poly the finished product, especially a table?
Hi Jill,
There’s actually poly in the stain. This table belongs to a friend of mine and I plan to go back and put poly on it if it’s necessary but so far so good. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words.
Blessings,
Beth
Thanks for posting, the table looks great! I am also trying to refinish our kitchen table with the Java gel stain. The problem I am running into is removing the excess stain after I have applied. It comes off really unevenly. Did you run into this problem? Maybe I’m using the wrong kind of rag to wipe it off? Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks!
Are you letting it stay on long enough? You may need to sand a little more also so the stain soaks in? What kind of rag are you using?
When I apply the Java stain, I put a tube sock on my hand and up my arm and apply it. Just a hint I found and it works wonderfully. You can apply a nice, even coat and the excess stays on the sock.
Hi Suzy,
I would sure want a glove under that sock. 😉
what a great job! I have just bought some General Finishes gel stain & stained a bureau, but when I put the top coat of beeswax on it took most of the stain off. I’m tempted to just use gel stain next time but I read somewhere that if it isn’t finished/ sealed the colour comes off on people’s elbows. Have you / your friend had any problems with this table? Did you wax/ varnish/ top coat at all?
Caroline-it sounds like it didn’t dry properly or there was a little too much on the surface. I find it’s important to use products in unison. If I were you I’d try sealing it with one of General Finishes topcoats instead of beeswax. Sometimes products work better if you use all the same line. I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Beth
I have used general finishes java gel stain. I did my bathroom vanity and also put poly over it. It turned out great!!
I am doing a large kitchen table now with old masters rich mahogany gel stain using the wipe off method. I am making sure to let it dry 24 hours at least between coats. For the last coat I am thinking of using java over the rich mahogany to tone down the Red a bit but not sure how it will turn out.
Sounds awesome Dee! I did a facebook live today working with GF gel stain. Love that product.
🙂 Beth
Beth,
The General Finishes web site explains the importance of a sealer topcoat after staining. The dye in the gel needs to be sealed.
Just an FYI.
HiLou,
I actually did seal the tabletop with GF gel topcoat, just forgot to mention it. I wrote this post in 2013 when I had just started blogging so I definitely need to update it.
Thank you for reading!
Beth