General Finishes Gel Stain is the best wood stain for fine antiques because it subtly highlights centuries-old grain patterns without posing any risk to the wood. An interior-only, oil-based stain, it can cover 75-100 sq ft, depending on the surface’s porosity.

General Finishes gel stain is a heavy-bodied stain so it doesn’t penetrate wood as deep as the other oil-based stains. Which means the wood does not have to prepped very much at all. Just a light cleaning and very light sanding are all you need!

I had a run in with General finishes "candlelight" gel stain, and it took me some time to fix which perplexed me because I've had such good luck with General finish products ( and I think most people have)...

I went with the General Finishes Black Gel Stain because I was told that it would be the best option for this project. The cabinets being birch play and the other pieces being popular, the way the gel "sits on the surface" would ensure I wouldn't need to mess with blotch protection.

I recently used General Finishes Java Gel stain on my dining room table and chairs and I am here to share my review! I have refinished a lot of furniture in my day but this was the first time I used a gel stain, and I just might be hooked!