358301 Premium Gel Stain, Dark Walnut

This stain is a very rich stain. It is easy to use. It does not run like the regular wood stain. Clean up requires the use of mineral spirit. I used Dollar Tree brushes for a faux wood finish. It takes 24 hours or longer for the stain to cure correctly for good durability. In my experience, the drying time took longer than the listed dry time on the can. It maybe due to the amount of stain that I applied to my projects but I love the end results. I sealed it with a water-based polyurethane. The price is about the same as Home Depot or Walmart. This product is versatile. It can be applied to an existing stain project for refresh the look.

I wanted to refresh some walnut stained shelves that have seen better days. I usually use General Finishes Gel stains when working on old furniture pieces but the shelves were just old beat up pine so I decided to go with the less expensive Varethane option. The shelves were lightly sanded with 240 grit paper and then the stain was wiped on with a cloth and then wiped off 3 or 4 times. All the imperfections were gone and the stain really brought out the grain and the finish was very smooth. The shelves look great - much better than I expected and just as good as other projects that I've done using General Finishes Gel Stain.

The table and chairs are my refinishing project. It took 6 weeks to complete. I used a stain that was far too red on the first layer (the last two photos are the oopses). You can imagine that I was in tears after all that work to make such a huge mistake so fast. This stain saved my project! As Bob Ross would say, “it was a happy accident.” because it ended up turning out gorgeous with far more depth on top of that red oak. I’ve had neighbors and friends offer to buy it. This stain saved my project!

Gel stain is a little more difficult to use that water based stain but it covers better. I am prone to glue out and when you stain with water-based stain the glue out shows. The gel stain covers your mistakes! Woo hoo!

This came out so beautiful.....I painted on with a foam brush, did not wipe off, applied 2 coats 24 hrs apart, 24 hours later applied minwax water based wipe on poly with a microfiber cloth folded into pad shape and applied 2 coats same day. Was so impressed with the results and the ease I intend to use same process on cupboards in upstairs hallway! Btw, I bought a large set of foam brushes at Sam’s Club for about $8 and they are the best foam brushes I have ever worked with....would highly recommend using with this gel stain. First time ever using any kind of stain!