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Put down the can of paint – there are better ways to update that old coffee table you’ve always been meaning to refurbish. While there’s nothing wrong with a good layer of paint, a poor color choice or bad technique can turn your piece from “dated” to worse in the blink of an eye. Painting requires a lot of practice and steps to get right. Even if you to do Manage to apply a few flawless coats, there are more stylish options. Instead of covering up the beautiful natural wood of your coffee table, for example, why not show it off with a gel stain?
There are plenty There are DIYs out there that can turn a dull coffee table into a statement piece. In her TikTok video, Erin, aka renovationUse gel stain to completely change the look of a dated coffee table. This project is quick and beginner-friendly and uses sandpaper, such as ash brown gel stain. Varathane total control stain gelAnd simple black paint, viz Apple Barrel Acrylic PaintFor hardware, however, this part is optional.
There are many Difference between gel and liquid stains – Beyond the obvious difference in compatibility, of course. Gel stain is a type of wood stain that sits on top of the wood instead of going into it. Gel stains have a thick texture that’s quite different from traditional liquid stains, and because they don’t sink, they’re much easier for new DIY enthusiasts to handle because they don’t show mistakes as easily. You can use that too Gel stain on painted wood To get a wood like finish.
How to use gel stain to replace a dated coffee table
The first step to completing this DIY is to remove any hardware on your coffee table and then clean the coffee table itself. Gel stains don’t require as much sanding as liquid stains because they don’t need to be absorbed into the raw wood. However, a light sanding will help hold the stain to the surface and ensure everything is smooth and even. In her video, TikTok user Erin sands her coffee table with 120-grit sandpaper, as Shinebok sandpaper on Amazon, and then smoothed it out with 220-grit sandpaper. Because gel stain is so forgiving, though, you can probably get away with skimping a lot in the sanding department.
Once your surface is prepped, stir and stir the gel stain until it’s around the consistency of syrup. Erin uses a cloth to stain her coffee table, but you can also use a brush, such as Genixart Double Thick Chip Paint Brush. Be sure to wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands and then spread an even layer over the entire surface. To clean up any spills or drips, you can use soapy water if your gel stain is water-based, but for oil-based gel stains, you’ll need to use mineral spirits.
To protect the stain, Erin uses three layers of matte finish top coat. In her DIY, Erin used black paint to give the hardware a more modern look, but you can leave it as is or replace the hardware with something new that matches your aesthetic.
