shellac before gel stain?

12 years ago

I posted this on the paint forum but thought I'd post here as well, to get a few opinions.I still can't make up my mind whether to gel stain or paint my honey oak bath cabinets. My husband prefers the wood look over painted. We don't want the java color though, preferring something lighter, a medium brown shade. But, of the few gel stain projects I've seen in lighter shades, the stain just does not always look even. So, if I go that route, I thought it would be wise to coat the cabinet with a wax free shellac first, to ensure that all surfaces are evenly coated. Over time, I'm sure that some areas of the cabinets have worn the top coat off to a certain extent, which could mean uneveness when I gel stain it. I thought perhaps if I cleaned it well, sanded well then applied a coat of wax free shellac and let it cure for a bit, it would accept the gel stain more evenly. Thoughts?

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Comments (3)

bobismyuncle
12 years ago
it sounds like the cabinets have an existing finish?

Shellac will seal the surface, provide a barrier/transition coat from what's on there to what you will apply next, and use the gel stain as a glaze (color coat between coats of finish).

It sounds like you are on the right track, but pictures would help, and the true test would be to try a small, obscure, area out first. This is always the advice when using a new material or process.
lam702
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes the cabinets have their original finish, its honey oak with some kind of clear coat, lacquer maybe? Whatever the original factory finish was. They are in great shape, solid and all I want is to change up the color. The finish is still very good, a few spots where its a bit worn, probably from water from the sink. My concern was the the worn spots would absorb the color more, resulting in an uneven finish. I do know that its tricky getting an even finish when gelstaining over a clear coat, but I think if I am careful, it could be done. I do plan to try it on the back of a door first, just wanted opinions on whether the shellac would help.
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bobismyuncle
12 years ago
Yes. Or, "It couldn't hurt."