Gel Stain

Gel Stain from General Finishes is home of the popular Java Gel Stain featured across the nation's social media for upcycling furniture and cabinets. Gel wood stains are heavy-bodied and do not penetrate as deeply into the wood as liquid oil-based wipe-on stains do, providing the deepest, richest colors of any oil-based stain available.

https://generalfinishes.com/wood-finishes-retail/oil-based-wood-stains-sealers/gel-stains

"8 pine chairs stripped, sanded, stained with General Finishes Java Gel Stain and finished!" - HoneyWood Restorations    
"This table was completely sanded down with the top being stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut and Java Gel Stains. The base was then painted in General Finishes Lamp Black and sealed in their High Performance Top Coat." - Upcycling by Amy    

We love drop leaf tables and this one turned out so pretty after some TLC. Refinished in a custom green paint mix and stained using General Finishes Colonial Maple

Check out one of our latest in-house finishes! This...

"Mid century dresser redesigned in General Finishes Alabaster Milk Paint and Nutmeg Gel Stain. Beautiful wood grain on top and drawers with new brushed silver handles, featuring original wing handles on sides." - Just a Touch of Paint    
"This gorgeous dresser that was completely stripped down, sanded and re-stained in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain and sealed in a satin finish." - Upcycling by Amy    
"I pulled up my big girl pants for this one guys…my client wanted to pass this 1947 Lane cedar hope chest down to her son that her husband had purchased after he got out of the military. And to increase the stress level - no paint. It was damaged almost beyond repair having sat in her garage for decades with major veneer damage, mildew, water stains and a bunch of other problems. This transformation makes me so proud. I took my Festool and was able to sand back down to bare wood on the veneer....
"This classic traditional pine farmhouse table has been delivered and ready for many meals and memories to be shared around the table. Stain: General Finishes Gel Stain Colonial Maple." - RAW to Reclaimed Woodworking LLC    

"I made this stain sample board. It has 8 different options for a client, and it's designed to give them a good idea of how the stain will look on their project. This piece of wood is cut from the same board that went towards the drawer fronts, so it should be a good representation of how the stain will take when applied to the final piece."

"The craftsmanship of this table was amazing for as old as it is. We’re not sure how old it is but believe it’s at least late 1800s or earlier! It was stripped and sanded to raw wood, leaving many of the original imperfections and stained using General Finishes Java Gel Stain and Enduro Poly for protection." - Painted Paradise, by Duke Interiors and Restoration    
"This table had been well-loved and through several kids, but empty-nester mama needed a fresh surface for the next chapter of life. I totally brought her back to life. The owner was shocked and delighted how it looked brand new!  I stripped the top and sanded it down then applied General Finishes Colonial Maple Gel Stain then topped with High Performance Topcoat. It’s ready for another 20 years of love!" - Soleil Furnishings    

"Beautiful Kroehler mid century dresser redesigned in General Finishes Reverent Gray Milk Paint with Antique Walnut Gel Stain drawers. Gold accents between drawers add a little bling!" - Just a Touch of Paint

"Oh what a labor of love this piece of was. Saved and restored this tall boy dresser. Completely stripped and sanded clean. For nice under glow used Cinnamon Dye Stain then once dry came over it with Georgian Cherry Gel Stain. Then top coated in Arm-R-Seal gloss. Added new antique casters and cool antique style knobs. I just love to custom color a piece." 

Box was built by my husband Jim and stained in General Finishes Colonial Maple Gel Stain. The top was screwed in so it can be easily removed to plant in it after the wedding. Bottom already had drainage holes in it too.

"After LOTS of sanding, we cleaning the set up and primed the chairs and base of the table and painted it in General Finishes Seagull Gray Milk Paint and the top of the dining table is stained in GF Antique Walnut Gel Stain. Since dining tables take so much punishment I made sure to give it plenty of coats of Arm-R-Seal to protect it for years to come." - Upcycling by Amy    
"This gorgeous bar just went home! I cleaned, sanded it and coated it with General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain and topped with satin High Performance Topcoat. It’s a completely new piece and ready for another life!" - Soleil Furnishings    
"Donna’s mom has had this sewing table for a long time. While her sewing days are behind her, this piece means a great deal to her. She’s recently moved into a newer place and seeing the sewing table to desk conversion I did for my niece, asked if it was possible for this. I removed the top (screws were underneath) and used it as a guide for the new one I was making from 3/4” plywood. The edges were sanded smooth and I applied wood veneer edging. Once prepped, I applied two coats of...
"Onyx. She's a dark beauty that had a fantastic old world look, but with a blend of Maple and Oak (neither stain the same). We decided she needed something more so we took her down the bold route!   Refreshed with a dramatic Black Gel Stain by General Finishes and sealed in our favorite hand applied Arm-R-Seal in Gloss and Satin after a gentle edge distress to show off those curves!" - Restoration Reserve    
This stunning solid African Mahogany table was custom designed and built by Sakonnet Furniture Makers Inc.. Finished with GF Brown Mahogany Gel Stain and a water based varnish.    

I sanded the tops, two inside drawers, the bottom frame and legs. I used...

Loving this custom built dining table by Northern Roots Woodworking. 12’x4.5’ white oak Stain: General Finishes Java Gel Stain Topcoat: General Finishes Enduro-Var II   GF Enduro-Var II is an oil-modified, ambering, water-based topcoat. So get the look of an oil based topcoat with all the benefits of a water based product. Learn more in this video: https://generalfinishes.video/ENDURO-VAR-II-...
"This gorgeous antique oak table was stripped and sanded then refinished with General Finishes Gel Stain in New Pine. She is glowing and ready to head back to her home to be loved for years! I highly recommend this gel stain. It is flawless!" - Peach St Studios    

"This color combination will never grow old. It’s such a timeless color!! This table, 4 chairs, and bench seat was refinished using General Finishes Alabaster Milk Paint and Java Gel Stain. It’s ready for it’s next 20 years of life in it’s beautiful new colors!"- Painted Paradise, by Duke Interiors and Restoration

"Unique United mid century dresser, featuring a curved top, solid brass handles, and gorgeous accent cutouts on drawers. Redesigned in General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain on top and drawer, complemented by a Lamp Black milk painted frame." - Just a Touch of Paint    
"Life is too short not to redecorate. General Finishes Linen Milk Paint, Antique Walnut Gel Stain and Winter White Glaze Effects and Annie Sloan Antique Gold gilding wax." - Becca Doing Things    
"Redesigned in General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint and Java Gel Stained drawers and top that were also washed in Lamp Black to give a dark rich tone. New gold handles and gold legs add a sleek, modern look." - Just a Touch of Paint  
Before and After GF Gel Stain!   "Recent commissioned piece for a client. Grandmother’s buffet needed a new look for their new house. The top is sanded down and finished with General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain and satin topcoat." - Virginia Vintage Interiors
"This Hepworth Mid-Century Modern dresser is so wonderfully constructed. Built in Southampton, Ontario, this dresser has six separate drawers - the top row is actually 3 separate ones. For the top, I stripped the veneer and sanded the residue. I used General Finishes Nutmeg Gel Stain with the High Performance Topcoat with a satin finish. After sanding, I used the same products on the drawers. I removed the extraneous wood pieces on the base and sanded. The grain that came out after staining...
"Before vs. After! Antique Walnut Gel Stain by General Finishes for the win every single time!" - Sugar Creek Furnishings  
"Some customs come through these shop doors and I just wonder how did I get lucky enough to work with this? Donna's chair is one special piece, loaded with history...full of stories...truly unique.   We stripped some old paint away, filled some holes, reinforced some joints, and glazed the details with General Finishes Java Gel Stain...now WOW, there she is again!" - Coat of Charms      
"I sanded the whole piece down completely to bare wood, stained it in General Finishes American Oak and Colonial Maple Gel Stain to try to compliment the color of a dresser in her bedroom already. Once happy with the color match the whole piece was sealed in 3 coats of GF Arm-R-Seal to protect it for years to come! To really finish off the new and improved look, I did a deep clean on the hardware to take off all the black tarnish from year of grime. Stained pieces are a LOT of work especially...
"I have come to realize cedar chests are like snowflakes, no two are alike. Each one is original and as special as the treasures tucked tightly inside.   I spent some time with this beauty the last couple weeks. Thank you, Linda for bringing her for a visit and entrusting her in my care. She just needed a light sand, some fresh stain and a poly treatment. General Finishes Candlelite Gel Stain and Semi-Gloss High Performance Top Coat restored her youthful glow." - Coat of Charms    
"Mid century six drawer dresser, redesigned in General Finishes Alabaster Milk Paint with Colonial Maple Gel Stain on the drawers." - Just a Touch of Paint    

"This gorgeous dresser has had a HUGE makeover and is ready for purchase!! Refurbished in Dixie Bell Painte Company Drop Cloth and the top was stained in General Finishes Colonial Maple - it's an eye catching combo!! It had some very dated knobs, so new cup pulls were a must." 

"We stripped this down and finished it with General Finishes Carbon Gray Gel Stain. This is the first time I have stained an entire piece this color and it is gorgeous!" - Painted Pieces    

"Didn’t this turn out gorgeous! I definitely could have kept this one! We stripped this corner cabinet down to raw wood and refinished it with ...

"This custom order dresser is all done!! It’s been painted in General Finishes Queenstown Gray and the drawers were stained in Antique Walnut Gel Stain." - Designs by Willow Farms    
"Extremely happy with how this dining room buffet/hutch came out. This is built from red oak and is finished with Carbon Gray Gel Stain and General Finishes Clear Poly." - Furniture By Matt    
"We refinished this with General Finishes Java Gel Stain and Antique White Milk Paint." - Painted Pieces      
Beautiful dresser in a creamy white and General Finishes Ash Gray Gel Stain.     
"This Drexel has been given a little bit of color!! Not sure exactly how I made this color, but it turned out so good that I’ve decided to keep it for myself!!! It’s a mixture of several General Finishes Milk Paints, and the drawers have been stained in Antique Walnut Gel Stain." - Designs by Willow Farms    
"Beautiful Bassett 9 drawer mid century dresser...so much fun refinishing this piece. Drawers sanded and stained with General Finishes Nutmeg and Antique Walnut Gel Stain. Top drawers finished with Burnished Pearl Effects for a shimmer of gold and bottom drawers finished with a green wash to create a rich brown color (many kinds of wood often tend to lean to red after sanded). All sealed with GF Enduro Clear Poly. Brass handles polished back to original shine." - Just a Touch of Paint    
"If I could sand all the time I’d be happy. I love instant gratification what can I say! Get a good sander and the best General Finishes stain and you’ll be addicted in no time!" - Sugar Creek Furnishings   General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain    
"This is a stunner. Totally refinished Broyhill Emphasis 9- drawer dresser. The wood grain on this is lovely, and it's super solid." - Modern Vintage Refinishing   General Finishes Nutmeg Gel Stain and oil based Arm-R-Seal Topcoat        
"Just in time for Winter!! This fully functional bench is made out of a vintage toboggan and would be a great conversation piece for any room in your home! Stained with Java Gel Stain and sealed with General Finishes High Performance Topcoat, this toboggan sits on four custom Rub 'n Buff Metallic Finishes hairpin legs." - First State Vintage    
"This vintage oak side table received a fresh new update and is ready for a new home. The top has been sanded down and stained in General Finishes Java Gel Stain and painted in Queenstown Gray Milk Paint." - Designs by Willow Farms    

Sugar Pine bottle openers: Black, Java & Gray Gel Stain

"Another Dazzling Stain Job! For this customer, we finished two of our Pine Queensbury Nightstands using General Finishes American Oak Gel Stain."   
Beautiful dresser in Antique Walnut Gel Stain and Blue Moon Milk Paint.    
"These little oak dressers are one of my favorites to renew! The body was painted in General Finishes Lamp Black while the top and drawers were stained in a custom blend of Antique Walnut and Java Gel Stains, the two pair perfectly together! New modern farmhouse iron hardware and ticking stripe drawer liners complete this transformation and have given this beauty a second life!"