{DIY} Dresser Makeover - Gel Stain!

 

Okay, so we had this dresser sitting in our garage for two months.  Tommy's Grandpa made it, so we couldn't just give it away.  It didn't fit in with the rest of our house, so we decided to give it a makeover! 

I've been drooling over this tutorial, Monica Want's It, on how to use gel stain. 

You really don't need much in order to complete this project.  Here is a List of Supplies that I used:

• 150-grit sandpaper
• Something sturdy that won't penetrate stain to set your project on top of (I used scrap pieces plywood)
• General Finishes Java Stain (purchased on Amazon.com)
• Sock (you will need more than one if doing several coats)
• Plastic gloves
• Paper towels / water
• Polyurethane or Polyacrylic top coat (you can purchase this at Home Depot or Lowe's in the painting section)

Step 1: Take drawers out and set them on a separate piece of plywood

Step 2: Sand down each piece, lightly, with the 150-grit sand paper.  Clean off dust with paper towels and water. 

 Sanded down with 150-grit sand paper

Step 3: Okay, so this is where the sock comes into play.  I HIGHLY recommend this method for applying gel stain.  On one hand, put on a plastic glove.  Now put the sock over the glove.

 

Step 4: With this hand, dip your hand into the gel stain.  You really don't need much.  It is pudding-like, so don't freak out if you open your can and think something is wrong.  It is much easier to work with than normal stain. 

 

Step 5: Wipe on in the direction of the grain.  Once you have applied the stain, allow to dry for 8-10 hours before you do the next coat.  Coat 1 looks a bit streaky, just as an FYI.  See below.

 

Coat 1

 

Step 6: Repeat Step 5 until you reach your desired color results.  I was happy with just 2 coats of stain. 

Coat 2

Step 7: Once the stain has dried completely, apply 2 or 3 coats of polyurethane or polyacrylic.  Since I used a fast-drying polyurethane, I was able to get by with waiting 8 hours between coats.  I applied poly using the glove/sock method as well.  This will give your piece a durable surface, which will make it harder to scratch.  You can also add knobs to give it some character, and wah-lah!