This was by far the most helpful video on how to use gel stain. Bought gel stain based on recommendations but used it with methods of previous staining and got horrible results. Sanded previous attempt down to base, worked thru the grits, and used MD's method with excellent results on maple. A little traumatizing to glop on that much gel stain, but with the slip coat of mineral spirits, 10 min. job with beautiful results, amazing!
General finish should sponsor you, Ive seen too many furniture refinishing videos, you gave me the confidence I needed to stain my real wood pub table Thank you
You are great. My husband is a master carpenter and I’m like you gotta see this guy. He’s informative, but also fun to watch. I just spent over an hour watching your videos.
Thank you so much!!! This helped me so much!!! Now I know how to redo my table!!! I made the the yucky mistake years ago and my table looked just like the one you were scraping. We had a black looking table for years and I was ready to fix it and I am so glad I found you! By the way the orange thingy (citrus strip) does work but it takes lots longer then 30 minutes before its ready to scrape off. Mine took an hour and I had to reapply it where it was too thin of a coat. I love all the tools you are using. They all work like a charm. So happy!! Thank you for helping me!!!
Agreed about the color, old kitchen cabinets. You make it look easy but this will be my first attempt at stain....and I won't be sticking my finger in it...lesson learned watching you. lol
I agree with you. I only use Java. I also used it over paint for aged finish. Most people use dark wax, but I prefer the Java stain. Can wax over that. Thank you. I've learned so much from you.
Thank you Montoya for this great lesson in refinishing. Now I can attempt my dining room table with more confidence lol I watched all your videos but I need more to watch. Where are you?
I watch this table from start to finish I think you did a good job a real good job I was wondering because I did notice there was a lot of work involved I'm not asking for the actual price but what is a ballpark figure you would charge for a job like this. I have never refinished anything but I plan on doing a headboard footboard and rails for my bed and also a coffee table so I ain't no competition to you whatsoever but I feel a lot more confident about doing these projects. From watching you thank you
It all depends on your market. I charge $1500 for a job like this. If legs are getting painted a solid color I charge $700 more. Most people will pay that and more for a solid table or one that has been in the family for a few generations.
I like this guy, real salt of the earth. Back and fourth, contradicting himself several times, throughout the process. But all in all, a great furniture restorer! Hire him, he will get the job done and well.
Also, for my customer, I do a step by step photo album so they can see the transformation of the furniture, especialy if it's an heirloom, as it happens. My customers love the before and after.
Great videos! I swear by Arm-R-Seal. I tried gel stains a few years ago but my process was all wrong. Learned a lot about prepping prior to staining, and doing a good wipe down after. Thank you!
Don't know why you make this look so easy but you do. I've got a huge pipe organ console, bench, and pedalboard I'm getting ready to stain which I have sanded and prepped as well as applied new birch veneer to sides. Never done this before but something I have to do. Got six quarts of Java gel stain, a gallon of wax-free Shellac sanding sealer, and eight quarts of red mahogany Nitrocellulose lacquer, and a HVLP sprayer. I'm looking for a 100-year old antique finish which is brown with reddish hues with wood grain showing and high gloss not quite piano finish. Figured I'd do a coat or two of Java gel stain, let cure for 30-days, then hit it with a coat of Shellac sanding sealer immediately followed by 3-5 coats of guitar finish sprayed on. I can see an image in my head of what I want finished product to look like, I'm just scared of screwing up but I've heard that what I'm attempting to do can be done so I'm gonna do it.
How did you go with your staining & shellacing? How did it look with the guitar spray - is that a polyurethane or sealant? Did it turn out like you wanted? Regards from Oz.
FYI...To get oil based stains, gel or not, off your skin and fingernails...Dawn dish soap and olive oil works great! Olive oil will also help remove some of the gel stain off the wood if you get out of a line when outlining figures...
Great video. They should sponsor you to do GF stains. Good tips and very easy to follow. Would love to see a finished product. The slip goat on oak is great to know. I’m so doing this project. Thanks
Just got done watching your video " Applying General Finish ArmRSeal " and was trying for find the Amanda you mentioned, looking for her videos also !!
I’m going to do 2-3 coats of full java on my bathroom and bottom kitchen cabinets. Testing 1/2 bath first! I’d love to see yours, especially because you keep saying it’s your favorite!
Too yellow for my taste, agree on that. I have oak kitchen cabinet and is choosing between brown mahogany and java. Glad I watch this video, I Will go with java.
Sher The best thing to do after opening a can of paint, take a nail and hammer a few holes along the inside rim. Any paint that gets in that rim, drips right back into that can.
They probably hit it way too hard with the original stain to hide the mismatched veneer. I grew up with red mahogany, and still have a house full of it. It's a grandmother stain. I like it.
What if you want to match up colors already stained on the base of a table but you have to sand the top? I want to stain an oak table but I have to sand the top because of scratches. If I want to change the color of the whole table by just applying a gel stain, would I find a color close to the rest of the piece for the top and then build up a different gel stain color from there? Thanks.
I love your videos - super informative! I was wondering if you had any tips for me - I just finished a bar top with GF Black gel stain. I used Arm R Seal in Satin, applied with a foam brush and wiped off excess lightly with a shop towel. When it dries it was so cloudy and streaky! I sanded it down and ready to try again, but I'm gun shy. What can I do to avoid the cloud and streak?
ArmRSeal likes to be put on a bit on the thick side. It drys so slow that if you leave a few uneven spots, it will self level. Don't be afraid, the way I see it painting is like drawing, if you make a mistake you just erase it and do it all over while learning from your mistakes. Make a mistake, sanded, and start over.
No, you shouldn't apply any mineral spirits because it will remove the stain. If it's old stain and has clear coat on it, you will have to scuff sand first.
Do you have any videos of you using the general finishes black gel stain? I have oak cabinets and I'm confused as to leave it on like people do using java? Or wiping it down? How long to wait before wiping on sanded oak? I stripped the shinyness with 120 and 150 now what?
I am using gf gel stain candel light on a solid oak table like the one in this video. What prep should I do first, just the mineral spirits? Its in pretty good condition. Thanks in advance.
You always have to sand anything before you stain or prime. I usually sand with a 180-grit sandpaper, vacuum all the fine dust, wipe down, and use a wood container.
I usually do first coat of staine, let dry over night and 3 coats of ArmRSeal or polyurethane, always sanding between coats. Table top sand to 180, hand sand with the grain with 220. ArmRSeal first coat is light so it soaks in. Sand 320 grit apply second coat and all sanding from this point I use 400 grit.
I am using the GF java gel stain on a table that is a veneer top. Overall the table is going well but the second coat gums up before I can get it all off resulting in an uneven finish. What did I do wrong? And how do you apply 2nd and 3rd coats (if needed for depth)?
Weather affects all types of finishes. The perfect painting weather is 70° and above 60% humidity. I'm in Indiana and my shop is climate controlled so it helps.
I haven't applied java over cherry wood. You should always test your stain on a small area that is not so visible, let it dry and see if you like it. If you don't like it you can rub most if it off with mineral spirits and when that drys sand the rest off.
Montoya Darr I love the videos. I am installing some butcher block countertops for my son and daughter in law and wondered if the armRseal will work as a good water sealer? Thanks.
I love how u continue to say u don’t like it 🤣 Neither do I but it’s all about keeping the customer happy!
This was by far the most helpful video on how to use gel stain. Bought gel stain based on recommendations but used it with methods of previous staining and got horrible results. Sanded previous attempt down to base, worked thru the grits, and used MD's method with excellent results on maple. A little traumatizing to glop on that much gel stain, but with the slip coat of mineral spirits, 10 min. job with beautiful results, amazing!
Thank you for your candor and showing your craftsmanship. And kudos to your patient buddy who filmed all of it. J.N.
General finish should sponsor you, Ive seen too many furniture refinishing videos, you gave me the confidence I needed to stain my real wood pub table
Thank you
You are great. My husband is a master carpenter and I’m like you gotta see this guy. He’s informative, but also fun to watch. I just spent over an hour watching your videos.
Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my videos.
The best prep and demonstration by far. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi,
Thanks I’m an absolute novice & I learned sooo much w/ your video.
I will follow your lead.
This is the best video I have watched on refinishing.
Thank you so much!!! This helped me so much!!! Now I know how to redo my table!!! I made the the yucky mistake years ago and my table looked just like the one you were scraping. We had a black looking table for years and I was ready to fix it and I am so glad I found you! By the way the orange thingy (citrus strip) does work but it takes lots longer then 30 minutes before its ready to scrape off. Mine took an hour and I had to reapply it where it was too thin of a coat. I love all the tools you are using. They all work like a charm. So happy!! Thank you for helping me!!!
Agreed about the color, old kitchen cabinets. You make it look easy but this will be my first attempt at stain....and I won't be sticking my finger in it...lesson learned watching you. lol
Omg! The colour of that wood after you applied the Slip...beautiful. such a shane to darken it.
I have the same paint booth and a boss lady too brother. Please don't give up or stop. Your videos are awesome!
I agree with you. I only use Java. I also used it over paint for aged finish. Most people use dark wax, but I prefer the Java stain. Can wax over that. Thank you. I've learned so much from you.
I love your videos. You are the great teacher. My favorite is the striping the table.
Thank you Montoya for this great lesson in refinishing. Now I can attempt my dining room table with more confidence lol
I watched all your videos but I need more to watch. Where are you?
Thanks M, really good vidieo. Great help restoring an old table needing some TLC 👍
I like your style of teaching. And I agree that it should be about having fun at what you do.
you can tell from his experience and how much confident he is, Great Video I will take his advice about the mineral spirit .
I watch this table from start to finish I think you did a good job a real good job I was wondering because I did notice there was a lot of work involved I'm not asking for the actual price but what is a ballpark figure you would charge for a job like this. I have never refinished anything but I plan on doing a headboard footboard and rails for my bed and also a coffee table so I ain't no competition to you whatsoever but I feel a lot more confident about doing these projects. From watching you thank you
It all depends on your market. I charge $1500 for a job like this. If legs are getting painted a solid color I charge $700 more.
Most people will pay that and more for a solid table or one that has been in the family for a few generations.
Great video! Thanks for all the tips, greatly appreciated.
I like this guy, real salt of the earth. Back and fourth, contradicting himself several times, throughout the process. But all in all, a great furniture restorer! Hire him, he will get the job done and well.
I refinish and build furniture as a hobby. Your project came out beautiful!!
Also, for my customer, I do a step by step photo album so they can see the transformation of the furniture, especialy if it's an heirloom, as it happens. My customers love the before and after.
Great videos! I swear by Arm-R-Seal. I tried gel stains a few years ago but my process was all wrong. Learned a lot about prepping prior to staining, and doing a good wipe down after. Thank you!
That looks great. You did a good job.
I watch many videos and you my friend the best no question ask thank you much for all your videos
I can tell Java is your favorite color lol.... Good work man, I learned something.
Montoya, you are so handsome! I love your spirit.
I like how this guy emphasizes having FUN at what your doing.
Very good keep the good work lgo
How do you take off chalk paint?
I love the light finish, ( beautiful)!
Loved your video. I never knew that you could use the mineral spirits this way!!
"The end result...and having fun while we do it." Well stated.
The fun part is getting paid.
thankyou wonderful my memories ofdoing work like this. came back full viewgreat stuff i enjoyed !!
Don't know why you make this look so easy but you do. I've got a huge pipe organ console, bench, and pedalboard I'm getting ready to stain which I have sanded and prepped as well as applied new birch veneer to sides. Never done this before but something I have to do. Got six quarts of Java gel stain, a gallon of wax-free Shellac sanding sealer, and eight quarts of red mahogany Nitrocellulose lacquer, and a HVLP sprayer. I'm looking for a 100-year old antique finish which is brown with reddish hues with wood grain showing and high gloss not quite piano finish. Figured I'd do a coat or two of Java gel stain, let cure for 30-days, then hit it with a coat of Shellac sanding sealer immediately followed by 3-5 coats of guitar finish sprayed on. I can see an image in my head of what I want finished product to look like, I'm just scared of screwing up but I've heard that what I'm attempting to do can be done so I'm gonna do it.
How did you go with your staining & shellacing? How did it look with the guitar spray - is that a polyurethane or sealant?
Did it turn out like you wanted? Regards from Oz.
FYI...To get oil based stains, gel or not, off your skin and fingernails...Dawn dish soap and olive oil works great!
Olive oil will also help remove some of the gel stain off the wood if you get out of a line when outlining figures...
You are awesome, Montoya!❤
Great video!
nice Job Thanks!!!! I learned a lot of good stuff,,,,,,,,
Love the video!
Gracias. Enjoyed your video. Very informative
Great video. They should sponsor you to do GF stains. Good tips and very easy to follow. Would love to see a finished product. The slip goat on oak is great to know. I’m so doing this project. Thanks
Thank you for showing me how it is done.
Just got done watching your video " Applying General Finish ArmRSeal " and was trying for find the Amanda you mentioned, looking for her videos also !!
Great video!!! Thank you for posting!
thank you sooo much!!! great videos, appreciate the help
I’m going to do 2-3 coats of full java on my bathroom and bottom kitchen cabinets. Testing 1/2 bath first! I’d love to see yours, especially because you keep saying it’s your favorite!
Really enjoyed learning from him.
Beautiful Soul, Thank You For The education I’m Getting
Thank you I appreciate your knowledge.
Too yellow for my taste, agree on that. I have oak kitchen cabinet and is choosing between brown mahogany and java. Glad I watch this video, I Will go with java.
I have learned that if you use Q-Tips on the inside rim of the paint can, it is way faster and easier.
Sher The best thing to do after opening a can of paint, take a nail and hammer a few holes along the inside rim. Any paint that gets in that rim, drips right back into that can.
Great job!, thank you!
made me laugh so hard!!! Thanks for the videos!
hi thanks so much for the video! mineral spirits or wood conditioner for birch? thanks!
I’m thinking, “darn, I wish I found this!” before starting my last project.
Java section was the prettiest. The brown looked like 1980's oak that you took off
They probably hit it way too hard with the original stain to hide the mismatched veneer. I grew up with red mahogany, and still have a house full of it. It's a grandmother stain. I like it.
What if you want to match up colors already stained on the base of a table but you have to sand the top? I want to stain an oak table but I have to sand the top because of scratches. If I want to change the color of the whole table by just applying a gel stain, would I find a color close to the rest of the piece for the top and then build up a different gel stain color from there? Thanks.
Yes, you can find a stain that will match, but if it was me, I would sand the whole table down and stain the whole table to make the color uniform.
@@darr1964 Thank you so much for the info! I am a newbie do it yourselfer!
@@darr1964 Can you use stripper instead of sanding?
Do you have a video of how to do the base of the table? I have found those non-flat areas the toughest.
No I don't have one
Great job!
I love your videos - super informative! I was wondering if you had any tips for me - I just finished a bar top with GF Black gel stain. I used Arm R Seal in Satin, applied with a foam brush and wiped off excess lightly with a shop towel. When it dries it was so cloudy and streaky! I sanded it down and ready to try again, but I'm gun shy. What can I do to avoid the cloud and streak?
ArmRSeal likes to be put on a bit on the thick side. It drys so slow that if you leave a few uneven spots, it will self level. Don't be afraid, the way I see it painting is like drawing, if you make a mistake you just erase it and do it all over while learning from your mistakes. Make a mistake, sanded, and start over.
excellent explainations!
Should you use mineral spirits as a slip coat if the piece is already stained or can you just apply the gel stain by itself? Thanks.
No, you shouldn't apply any mineral spirits because it will remove the stain. If it's old stain and has clear coat on it, you will have to scuff sand first.
How can I repair the finish on oak cabinets? I'm looking to blend with the original color and finish.
Do you have any videos of you using the general finishes black gel stain? I have oak cabinets and I'm confused as to leave it on like people do using java? Or wiping it down? How long to wait before wiping on sanded oak? I stripped the shinyness with 120 and 150 now what?
very practical LIKE THE METHOD
I like you and your videos.
I am using gf gel stain candel light on a solid oak table like the one in this video. What prep should I do first, just the mineral spirits? Its in pretty good condition. Thanks in advance.
Thank You 😊
Thanks for the great video
Do you sandpaper the table or just put Java gel over the table looking to do this on my kitchen cabinets
You always have to sand anything before you stain or prime. I usually sand with a 180-grit sandpaper, vacuum all the fine dust, wipe down, and use a wood container.
Thanks for sharing!
Why mineral spirits? Ive always been told 120 then 150 and dust off
Did you sand the table down to the raw wood, or did you just lightly sand the surface prior to applying the gel stain?
On this one I used paint striper and then wiped down with mineral spirits and sanded with 150 followed by 180 grit
@@darr1964 Thanks for the tip. Did you do a second coat? If so, did you cover the surface with mineral spirits again prior to adding the second coat?
I usually do first coat of staine, let dry over night and 3 coats of ArmRSeal or polyurethane, always sanding between coats. Table top sand to 180, hand sand with the grain with 220. ArmRSeal first coat is light so it soaks in. Sand 320 grit apply second coat and all sanding from this point I use 400 grit.
I wonder if a slip coat is helpful on the second coat? Or would it ruin the 1st coat. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Can you tell me what the armrseal is that you use and where to buy it? Thanks
Ty 🙏
I am using the GF java gel stain on a table that is a veneer top. Overall the table is going well but the second coat gums up before I can get it all off resulting in an uneven finish. What did I do wrong? And how do you apply 2nd and 3rd coats (if needed for depth)?
Question? Have you used both mineral and wood conditioner to prepare for stain on one application?
Yes either one works great
How many times can you stain and wipe over the first coat?
That's a different table from the other video cause I don't see the wood filler spot on it. It was pretty big.
When you apply the mineral spirits what is it that you are using to apply it? You are a hoot.
You can use a rag or shop towel
not sure where ur located but i live in upstate ny. its coooold. does air temp matter when sanding and staining?
Weather affects all types of finishes. The perfect painting weather is 70° and above 60% humidity. I'm in Indiana and my shop is climate controlled so it helps.
What would you use on fir dresser? She wants it dark.
I love General Fineshes Java gell stain.
LOL at him dissing the color...Hope the owner doesn't watch his videos! :)
I was thinking the same thing! I love his honesty and all his comments, but that was cracking me up. "I don't care for this at all" hahaha
btw did you just use the sponge sander for the edges? I have a table with triple beveled edges... Thanks
Yes
Wow , if that was my table I definitely would’ve gone with the java , due to the fact that the wood is too different in the table 🙁
How much did you charge for this job?
An arm and a leg ;-)
Thank you
When adding a second coat of gel stain, do you do another slip coat of mineral spirits?
No
Nothing wrong with old kitchen cabinets. 😀
Is the java gel stain going to be red over cherry wood? I don't want red I want a deep brown stain!
I haven't applied java over cherry wood. You should always test your stain on a small area that is not so visible, let it dry and see if you like it. If you don't like it you can rub most if it off with mineral spirits and when that drys sand the rest off.
💚💙
I'm surprised you don't stain the sides of the wood. Although you don't see it, you do when you open the table and I think that matters.
I do on my last coat so you don't get any build up.
If I want to stain an oak table do I use the mineral spirits first or can i use the minwax prestain. I want to do gray gel stain.
mineral spirits
wish the camera guy could hold the camera steady.
Is that a walnut stain you are using?
Yes it is.
What grit u use to sand? I have pine what do u recommend for grit
I always stop at 120 grit.
Montoya Darr I love the videos. I am installing some butcher block countertops for my son and daughter in law and wondered if the armRseal will work as a good water sealer? Thanks.
Maybe the manufacturer was trying to save money.
I’ve got to find a substitute for mineral spirits because they don’t sell it at Home Depot. I’m in California
Paint thinner is the same thing
There's lots of wrong ways of doing it...cause I've done many of them, lol.