My TOP 6 STAINS & TOPCOATS for furniture refinishing / flipping

I'm sharing and demonstrating my 6 favourite stains (3 General Finishes Gel stains and 3 Minwax penetrating stains) as well as my 6 favourite and most used topcoats & sealants! Direct comparisons on both walnut and maple.
The six topcoat finishes shown will also be featured in an upcoming video where I put them to the test; scratch test and water resistance test to be precise, so that's coming up a month from now!
Chapters:
0:00 intro
0:49 prep
2:21 penetrating stain
4:21 gel stain
6:16 topcoats
9:47 review
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Thanks for watching! If you liked this video, please consider subscribing for more furniture flipping videos!
If you are interested QUICK bites of furniture flipping, refinishing, and restoration, check out my other channel!
💎 / @tfgsnacks
✅Social Media Links & Ways to Support the Channel: bio.site/tfg
📫 To send mail: Transcend Furniture Gallery, c/o Angie, PO Box 718, Hantsport, NS, Canada, B0P1P0
✅USE MY CODE TFG10 for 10% off your SurfPrep order- www.surfprepsanding.com?aff=85
✅SAVE 10% off your Fusion Mineral Paint order (Code 'transcendfmp')- shop.fusionmineralpaint.ca/TFG10
✅xTool Discount code : xToolPartner
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PRODUCTS USED/MENTIONED
💡General Finishes Gel Stain, Nutmeg
amzn.to/3fjwPEJ (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/3eNNMrS(US Link)
💡General Finishes Gel Stain, Antique Walnut
amzn.to/3tPgEEx (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/3wa4uru(US Link)
💡General Finishes Gel Stain, Candelite
amzn.to/3gwIaTQ (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/2UfUTld (US Link)
💡Minwax Stain- Special Walnut
amzn.to/3u2opa7 (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/3yqFJsM (US Link)
💡Minwax Stain- English Chestnut
amzn.to/34TkrXu (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/3clJerb (US Link)
💡Minwax Stain- Dark Walnut
amzn.to/3wUaK6r (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/36Qgi7q (US Link)
💡Minwax Polycrylic Satin
amzn.to/3wlqujg (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/2S9h4Z2 (US Link)
💡Homestead House Hemp Oil
amzn.to/3pb7IZf (Canadian Link)
amzn.to/3ifDGlX (US Link)
💡Odie's Oil, Universal Oil
www.odiesoil.com/canada-dealers/ (Canadian Link)
www.odiesoil.com/usa-dealers/ (US Link)
💡Watco Danish Oil- Natural
amzn.to/3BpqYbd (Canadian Link)- seems pricey- try a big box hardware store
amzn.to/2VY59PH (US Link)
💡Watco Lacquer
(no link, sorry!)
💡Wise Owl Furniture Salve
wiseowlpaint.com/product/furn...
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NOTE: Please be advised that the links provided are affiliate links and I may get a small commission from qualified purchases. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
Always be sure to read all manufacturers instructions and use appropriate safety equipment when using any of these products, and do so at your own risk.
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[@brendatomlinson]

This is a much needed tutorial, thanks so much, Angie!

[@ARE.1974]

I've watched this type of informative videos before, but this is probably one of the better ones. *Noting for future reference*

[@vuyizwane3775]

You are truly the best at what you do,thank you for this tutorial.

[@ninoskae]

Thank you so much for your very detailed presentation!

[@suethatcher8966]

You are such a great teacher and I love your voice 💋❤️

[@loisbolton1800]

Really interesting video - thank you for your hard work on this informative piece. X

[@trishwilson7517]

Wow, what a thorough video! Much longer to film than view :) thanks very much for your hard (and reliant) work, Angie!

[@CateB66]

That’s exactly what I’ve been needing. Bought a stunning hall table today and am wanting to stain. I think I’m sold on the Wise Owl gel. Thank you!

[@mitziekennedy]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VIDEOS 🙏❤️!!! I'm so thankful I found your channel. I love everything about your channel, your info, advice, your voice, the bunnies 🐇❤️. I'm hoping to learn enough to redo my Grandmothers two pieces 🤞 someday. They are much older an anything you have done. She was an antique dealer. I went many shows with her as a kid and I'm 48. So I'm not really sure how old the two pieces are that I have 🤔. They are very important to me. One is the dinning room table I grew up eating all my holidays meals on. It's traveled all around the country with me. The other is a very interesting piece that I have no idea what it is but it really cool looking. I think they may be early 1900s or late 1800s. Not sure. So I have lots of practicing to do before I even think of starting them. They nned work since they have moved a lot 😢. By now I think I have watched ALL your videos or close to all of them. Again LOVE THEM!! Sorry so long.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I actually have done pieces from the late 1800's - one piece specifically is posted here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGaQk6CXiLSZhbc Thanks so much for watching and best of luck with your projects!

[@juliecase624]

Thanks so much Angie, this is exactly what I was wanting to learn. Appreciate the extra time you had to spend on this non flipping work :). I'm working on a maple table (yup, first project haha). Did the gel stain and it was blotchy so resanded everything and am using boiled linseed oil. Loving the look, now I can hopefully pick the right topcoat in a month :).

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Aww thank you so much! It’s nice to know that people understand the time some of these videos take- much love! ❤️

[@lestersenra5407]

Wow, that is so cool! I never used the gel stain before, and after watching your videos I start using them and now I can't stop. So satisfying to use and prettier finish. Thank you! As always you do a great work!!!!

[@tammybugg9805]

That chestnut color is beautiful ❤️. Always love your videos. So informative.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@violetgypsie]

Thank you so much for doing this, it’s very helpful. Looking forward to your scratch testing.

[@barbmccarthy6811]

This is exactly what I was looking for. It helps to take the fear out of the staining and finishing steps. Thanks again for the time you spend on your informative posts.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Perfect! I thought it might help you 😊 You're very welcome and thank you for watching!

[@CeciliaMM]

Thank you! Wonderful lesson on stains, topcoats and sealants! I needed this.

[@sonjadoyle2761]

I really look forward to your tutorials. Your knowledge is beyond compare.

[@julesoyler4306]

WOW! Thank you so much... you are such an amazing instructor, I got so much out of this... rethinking my stain. Looks like I need to try gel.

[@kathywiszowaty4607]

Thanks for such an informative video really love it!!!✌❤

[@SteeleMagnolia]

Great demo! You've sold me on gel stains, wow.

[@michelerok4252]

Thank you. It gets overwhelming when trying to figure out which to use. I totally agree gel stains are the way to go. Great video thanks for sharing. Many blessings

[@julesoyler4306]

Yes. I get list in all the choices!

[@tinatinaa9104]

Exactly what we all here needed 👍👍👍 thank you

[@bettinabarry8423]

Love this! Thank you 😊

[@mariadiebert892]

Excellent tutorial, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@josephromero1596]

Old Masters makes amazing Gel stains and wiping stains

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Thanks for watching!

[@darlenemccarthy7251]

Sooo informative!! Thanks, Angie! ❤❤

[@polgara28]

Excellent video, very informative! 👍

[@lubblyjubblyfurniture]

Really awesome to watch and see the differences, great videi

[@bellepoupee61]

Bonjour Angie! Oh boy! I know why I like walnut so much! Thank you for sharing this, you are a natural teacher! Bonne journée! Christine 🦊🇨🇦🦊

[@Trixy8521]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been searching for a comparison video on this very topic and haven't found anything this detailed. I'm highly interested in the durability test you'll be sharing later.

[@erinpfleger1422]

This is just what I needed! Thanks for taking the time to show me all the different products out there. So helpful!

[@sarahlatawiec1062]

Bravo - great instructions! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@nadinehupperetz8073]

Once again....thank you for all the info you provide. It's greatly appreciated.

[@pegeen6634]

Angie❗️Thank you a lot. This is very helpful. I’ve saved this for reference ‼️😻

[@allibeefurniture1930]

Love this - would also be interested in knowing when and why you use certain clear top coats/difference in their finished feel for durability ☺️

[@lindafrench4670]

Thank you for this video! I have wondered about both the stains and top coats. I am new to painting furniture and have so much to learn. Love what you do!

[@heatherd9340]

Thanks for showing us the comparisons. Very helpful, especially for us hobby flippers.

[@JennNahrstadt]

this was super helpful. seeing things side by side really makes the comparisons clear.

[@lionheart830]

What a great video! It is amazing to see how the wood colors change and how different woods absorb colors and finishes differently. Thank you so very much!

[@patrcrnn]

Thank You. Love your Tutorials! Keep them coming.

[@getitgotitgood]

Thank you for doing this video. It saved me a huge amount of time figuring it out myself.

[@deborahmatatall]

This is super helpful! I’m repairing and refinishing/painting a small table that belonged to my husband’s aunt. You’ve already helped me in prep knowledge for wood to be stained. This should get me through the rest of the process. Thank you for continuing to teach us!🌸

[@kathleentorres2010]

Great video! I too have seen other videos doing this but this one is way better. I use the same color stains as you do so it's really nice to see the different top coats I haven't used and how they react. Thank you. Love love love your videos!

[@solavisa]

Thanks...simple, easy to see the differences, and I just bought several gel stains, so this helps!

[@perlaargyle9343]

Love these comparison videos !!

[@pattiereiter9265]

GREAT teaching video! LOVED IT!

[@anns_world3192]

Great information, I like the way you described it all. Thanks.

[@brandyd]

Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate the knowledge you share with us.

[@johnpace5774]

Well done, Angie! Another informative, helpful, and well produced video.

[@nattie_ceee5989]

So helpful as always. Thanks!

[@refabyouless1166]

This was super helpful. Great video that clearly took a lot of work and patients.

[@mddrive2]

love your channel, Angie...I have some pieces that I want to refinish, and your detailed tutorial is just excellent....thank you!

[@WendyCrafts]

Thanks for the inspiration, hubby picked up a lexington king bedroom set for free and we are working on stripping and refinishing it from cherry to whitewash or a light brown stain. All of your tips and tricks have been super helpful :)

[@tinamiller6727]

Thank you for all of this fantastic information. You've given me the confidence to try a little project with some hope of not completely cocking it up!

[@OurFurnitureFlippingAdventure]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@juliewohlfarth9627]

Thank you! Can't wait to see the wear test😃😃

[@myriammoquin2684]

Really well structured video!

[@minitoes67]

Thanks for the info Angie 👍 I love the gel stain myself ❣

[@kaiblack3334]

Great tutorial. Thanks👍

[@michellecabasal2963]

I love gels stains as well! Great informational video… I can’t wait to see the results 🙃

[@morandamiller5444]

Great information! Thanks!

[@lizhoward9754]

This was very informative. Thanks much!

[@Mollydogdesigns]

Thank you for all that great info 👍👏👍

[@isabelrascon3028]

Great advises, thank you!

[@brittrathbunwoo7370]

You are awesome. Thank you, love, for being you! 🩵

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You are so welcome! ❤️

[@bairn72]

Thank you for this. Got a Welsh dresser from marketplace and over the coming weekends going to be giving it a bit of a make over. Have got lots of ideas and tips from you over the last few weeks. Thank you 😊

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Sounds great! Best of luck with your project, I'm glad I could help. Thanks for watching!

[@micahbuchheit1283]

Awesome!! Thanks!!

[@tammyfromohio1095]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@Tmlatyoutube]

Can't wait for the scratch tests :)

[@mromper2010]

Great info - thanks!

[@wendypizzillo4477]

Thank you so much, because let's totally admit some of us totally skip, skip, skip to see what is relative to what we are interested in trying to recreate

[@yolandacoleman3027]

Awesome video Angie

[@lynnavery3220]

Thanks so much great tutorial

[@sweetspotdiy5592]

I really like your channel, it was just the thing i was searching yesterday. I feel so lucky that you uploaded it now :DI love your content and the sound of your voice is very friendly for some reason. I usually feel like listening to a friend when I watch your videos. ❤❤

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Aww thank you so much! ❤️

[@catherineb8658]

I've found myself rewatching several of your videos now! I find your style so informative and easy to follow. When you do your follow up video would you consider talking about how you choose a top coat for your projects, please? I would so appreciate hearing the reasoning behind how you choose your products. Something I find difficult is deciding what top coat to use! Thank you!

[@annettehalliday8892]

I think the gel stain is fantastic 👏👏👏

[@abav811]

Fabulous info, thank you!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I'm glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@lifeofjoy9404]

SUPER useful info!!!

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charlottaandersson]

Thank's for this - very informative 🙂

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You're very welcome! ☺️

[@cindyborgen5480]

Thank you for sharing

[@HavaWM]

This was fascinating! My hubby and I were standing in the aisle at Lowe’s just yesterday, trying to figure out the differences between the penetrating stain and the gel stain. All I knew was that a lot of KZbinrs (like you!) use the gel stain but I didn’t know why. So this REALLY helps. Thank you so much!

[@willtheman840]

Of course I would say the best stain to use most of the time is no stain, but that is a personal choice.

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 67 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 🖤🖤🖤

[@leesse]

awesome video! Thanks for sharing :)

[@garygilbreath2218]

Thanks for taking the time to do this type of video. I know it takes time away from your regular projects, but it is very interesting and helpful. When you do the scratch test in a month, will you also be demonstrating how to repair those scratches? That would be super useful too.

[@smoothsailingmp]

Thanks

[@katalintorok2538]

Thank you so much for the helpful tutorial. I have 3 different pieces completely stripped and ready for stain and I think I bought every stain, gel and top coat available but I'm scared to start. Now I have an idea how I want to finish these pieces. :)

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

You're so welcome! I'm so glad I could help! Best of luck with your pieces. 😁

[@LillianEmerald]

Absolutley fascinating! Thanks a mil for this, reallly appreciate all the work you put into these videos! Totally bookmarking for future reference! Also, have you ever thought about a video on your process behind whetther you paint/stain/topcoat a piece? I've found myself sitting with a piece for days/weeks trying to figure out what I want to do and what would suit best! You make this all look so dang simple 😅

[@uniquelyursuladesigns9120]

Fantastic video 😊👍🏽 I wish we had these selections in Australia

[@raccabird8889]

Awesome

[@tazziemae4705]

Nice job / Thanks

[@revampglam4490]

I’m a big fan of the gel stains. I’m anxious to see your scratch test because sometimes I put wax on top of other finishes. I just love how smooth and lovely it makes a piece but don’t trust it fully as a protectant on its own yet.

[@susie-k-q]

Wish I would have used the GF stain on my project. It turned out okay - and yes my husband over worked the top coat...which was GF and I needed to sand back down and start over... Live and learn.

[@kristenreplogle4630]

You are so talented, I love your style you have an incredible eye. Thank you for putting yourself out here on you tube, I appreciate you! If I lived closer I’d work free for you.

[@tatzantwos]

Lol good stuff there miss

[@willtheman840]

Excellent video. Informative, organized. I have learned about a few products I want to try. I have been been reinforced that I almost never never want to stain anything. I suppose to match a color or if I am ever asked to stain for someone else. I still like my Linseed oil and shellac spray. I may want to find a more creamy past wax than Minwax finishing wax, which is decent.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I still use shellac on occasion, especially on antiques that are being moreso restored than refinished. It's just such an easy finish!

[@rottiegirl5052]

I love General Finishes. Did my entire kitchen in Onyx Wood Stain with Satin Gel Topcoat. They have quality products. Won’t find them at a big box store though.

[@kurtboogertman8292]

Thanks, I think this video is great and very informative with the side by side testing. I also saw you second video which was very good. I've a woodworker for years and been moving away from Minwax stains to starting to use Zar which I think is a better quality stain. Just sometimes hard to find.

[@joanacker917]

Very informative. I wonder if there’s something you could add to regular stain to make it gel stain? There are little packets of stuff that I used to thinken jelly when I make it, idk if that would work.

[@anthonyr.3799]

My brain right now 🤯

[@dot2dal]

Thanks very much for the detailed information. Where do you buy Odie’s oil? (I just noticed you put the link in the description.) I also love the furniture salves from Wise Owl- They are amazing. Would you say that they are food safe?

[@carrentatton9715]

So informative thank you so much for sharing. I’ve never used penetrating stain, only the gel stains. Would be curious to know your thoughts on stain and finishing oil from Fusion,Since you use their paints.

[@TranscendFurnitureGallery]

I've actually never tried the SFO! It's on my list of new things to check out though :-)