Update Your Cabinets by Painting With Gel Stain

Jenny
by Jenny
9 Materials
$75
3 Days
Easy
Updating your cabinets doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. I've painted with a variety of materials and have found that using Gel Stain as a paint is one of the easiest ways to update your kitchen or bathroom. Not too mention it's super affordable. All you need is a little patience and a few supplies.

When you think of painting cabinets, you often think of a paint brush or sprayer. But, when using gel stain as a paint, I prefer to use a sock. A sock allows for a smooth application with the wood grain still showing, plus it's very easy to control. I always end up using my husband's socks. He eventually realizes he has no socks left! For step by step visual instructions, watch the how-to video!
Remove all the doors and drawers. Take them outside to sand lightly using an orbital sander. If you're cleaning them, do this first, allow to dry and then sand. I did not clean my cabinets with this project.
I lightly sanded each door face, drawer front and the cabinet boxes using 220 grit sandpaper. Some will say you do not need to sand. This is up to you. I always lightly sand before applying the gel stain as a paint, to ensure maximum adhesion and a professional look. Don't forget to wipe up the dust. You can use non-tacky dust cloth, lint free towels or my personal favorite.. a vacuum!
Lay your doors and drawers out to apply the gel stain. I used 4x4's and any other material I could find to raise the doors off the ground. The idea here is to make sure they are "floating" so that the paint doesn't pool up around the edges. I always start with the inside and finish with the outside.
Use painter's tape around the edges or anywhere you want to protect from the gel stain.
General Finishes Java Gel Stain
Use a sock to apply 3 coats. Smooth out the gel stain over all surfaces. It's better to apply thinner coats than be too thick. Wait at least 12 hours between coats or until dry before applying the next coat. Apply to the inside of the door faces first. Use a fresh sock for each application.


Once all 3 coats are done and dry, flip over and apply to the opposite side. Once you've finished applying the gel stain topcoat to both sides and they are dry, move on to the finish coat.
I like to apply 3 coats of the General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane in Satin. I use sponge brushes to apply the poly or old, ripped up lint-free t-shirts work well.


Follow the label for application instructions. Usually you can re-coat after about 3-4 hours. Apply all coats to the inside first and then flip over and finish with the outside. Don't forget to apply your finish coat to the boxes too!


Reattach your doors and put your drawers back. Add hardware and you're done! Painting with a gel stain is one of the easiest ways to update your outdated cabinets for less. If you're just painting the cabinets and adding some hardware you can easily do this project for under $100. It's very easy to spend more on hardware, so your cost will vary.
If you like what you see, follow Jenny on my Perfectly Inspired Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/perfectlyinspired, and visit my website at http://perfectlyinspiredblog.com


Thank you for reading and watching. I hope this Perfectly Inspires you!
Suggested materials:
  • General Finishes Gel Stain (I used Java)   (Amazon)
  • General Finishes High Performance Satin Polyurethane   (Amazon)
  • Clean Thick Sock   (Husband's sock drawer)
See all materials
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 23 questions
  • Carol Huggins Nauman Carol Huggins Nauman on Jul 29, 2017

    My old cabinets are a medium brown. Does the gel stain come in white--I really want white cabinets. Or for white over dark cabs do you use a different product? Thx.

  • Carla Raines Carla Raines on Jul 30, 2017

    Could I use this on a Tell City headband and footboard that is well worn?

  • Janet Janet on Aug 16, 2017

    Good afternoon. I like the wall with the mirror on it. How did you do that. Really looks great with the cabinets.

Comments
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3 of 69 comments
  • Jenny Jenny on Jul 14, 2017

    for sure. just having to wait between coats really extends the time with this product.

  • Pas13195345 Pas13195345 on Jul 24, 2017

    At 6:56 on the video, you started gelling the piece of wood filling in the hole at the top of the vanity. Didn't you know you can pop those wood pieces right out of the holes? It would have made it easier to gel and you would be getting the vanity underneath those pieces of wood. Nice job, but the dark color really does not go well with the light wood color on the wall.


    • Jenny Jenny on Jul 24, 2017
      Hi. Thanks for your comment. I had no intention of popping them off as I didn't want to paint in that area. Personal choice. But thanks for tip. As far as color goes; It's all personal preference. I find it absolutely stunning, while many agree, other won't. That's the beauty of individuality. Light and dark make an excellent contrast. Thank for sharing.
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