General Finishes Oil Based Gel Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Satin

Just used this for the first time on an antique hoosier cabinet I was restoring. My shop is very dusty and small, so hard to keep dust out of my finish work usually. I wanted to try the GF wipe-on because I heard it dries quickly and helps eliminate some of the issue of getting dust in the finish. I did not use the GF gel stain underneath as I have a lot of other stains already and wanted to use a color I already had. I asked a question here about how the GF Gel Topcoat would work over other brands of stain but the answers weren't really definitive, but I took a chance that it would work okay over OIL-BASED stains by diff. manufacturers. I did some tests first– let the stain dry for 24 hours (Minwax and Varathane) and the GF Gel Topcoat worked fine. I went on the GF website and watched their how-to videos, and also went on YouTube and watched some videos by other folks who used this. It didn't look too difficult, and it wasn't. Compared to a typical brush-on poly, this goes on in much thinner coats, so you need to plan on more coats to give your wood the same level of protection. I ended up doing 4 coats, sanding VERY lightly between with some synthetic steel wool (after first 2 coats), then 200-grit sandpaper after the 3rd coat. After the 2nd coat it started looking pretty nice. After the third coat I wanted to stop, but since the coats are thin I gave it one more. The finished effect was beautiful. Almost like a hand rubbed tongue-oil finish, but super glassy smooth. (Not glossy if that's what you're looking for.) I did not even clean/vac up my shop before finishing. I cleaned the piece REALLY well, and used a tack cloth first, but I did not go crazy cleaning my shop first like I've done before the finishing stage on other work. In the end I really could not find any dust in the finish. I used some hi-tech lintless industrial wipes for applying and wiping down, so that probably helped (I get them where I work). Anyway, very impressed with this stuff, and will not hesitate to use it again. It's a little on the pricey side, but well worth it for a finish you'll love.

My go to for easy application and hand rubbed look. Not a full finish though- if you want full finish use Interlux Goldspar

I bought this because I read about a finishing process in one of my wookworker's magazines I wanted to try. I needed a poly finish on some custom interior walnut doors. I wanted a medium sheen, highly polished finish. I've had all the typical frustrations with poly in the past- brush strokes, dust nibs, gnats... you know the story. For this project I brushed on poly like always, then leveled the brush work with sandpaper, then wiped on about 3 coats of this gel poly. When fully cured I rubbed it out with automotive rubbing compound and then car wax. People can't keep their hands off my doors. They are so silky, so indulgent, it feels almost sinful to run one's hand up and down the stiles. Maybe even criminal.This product is very forgiving to use. If you move too slow and it begins to drag you can reactivate with a little fresh finish. Even better, let it cure and polish out the defects. It has a low odor, unlike its brush-on brother, and smells almost pleasant. It goes on fast and easy, with little or none of the anxiety of brushing under raking light and all that drama. It cures fast; fast enough to keep a gnat from setting you back a day. It cures hard and polishes out beautifully.It's a little spendy, sure, but a little bit goes a looong way, and the cost (for me) is negligible when compared to the time, effort and materials invested in most of my projects.I don't always need the protection of poly and I don't always want a high polish, but when I do, this stuff is my new best friend.

Love the General Finishes line! I used to use polyshade (combined stain with poly) because it was quicker than doing separately. But on occasion, I’ve had to sand down work afterward because the finish wouldn’t look right. But when I first used the General Finishes Gel Stain in 2018, I was in awe of how easy it was to use and the professional looking result so I ordered the gel top coat. I was genuinely amazed at the results! So much easier to apply and the results looked professional, as though I bought it that way! Four years later, it still looks as good as day one! Now I only use General Finishes on all my woodworking projects! Totally worth the price!

A little goes a VERY long way.Looks great and easy to install.I’m disappointed that returns are not accepted for the ones I didn’t use (tried to return a day or two after purchasing and realizing I bought too many)

Goes on easily. Dry to touch quickly. Beautiful protection

Wonderful! So much easier to use than regular poly on horizontal surfaces and smooth, even coat.

This is the second time I've used this product. It is amazing! After removing all the hardware, I prep my 90's golden oak cabinet using a degreaser and then do a very light sanding with 120 grit sand paper. I wipe on the General Finishes gel stain in 'Java' and wipe it back off using a soft cloth. Repeat the stain process once daily until it has reached your desired color. I put on 3 coats. The next day, apply the gel varnish using a soft brush. I selected satin. The next day, apply another varnish coat. The result is amazing. The first cabinet I did has stood up to rough bathroom use for 3 years and it still looks like new. A little product goes a long way so you don't need to purchase much. A pint of each would do a whole kitchen. Here are a few pictures of the cabinet before, after 1 coat, and after 3 coats stain and 2 coats varnish.