General Finishes Oil Base Gel Stain, 1/2 Pint, Nutmeg

I did a lot of research and chose to try the neutral, medium brown-looking nutmeg to reduce the yellow of my outdated golden oak bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet. I wasn't looking for a Java transformation. Two light coats darkened the color significantly, but the oak is still very warm in color. I'd say it went from honey to caramel. I could apply more coats and maybe get a more neutral brown, but that'll be too dark for me. Overall it looks better with the new flooring, so I am calling it done! As for the ease of application, I had a different experience. I tried applying and then wiping it off (as directed and shown in vids) but that removed all of the color! I tried applying it and then very gently wiping it, and that gave me streaks! So I fell back on the method I've been using for years during finishing and refinishing wood-- applying a thin layer of stain with a gloved hand in a sock and using the same sock to gently blend while still wet. Now that was easy to do with this product! The key is to be done gently swiping and blending in the direction of the grain before the gel gets tacky. When you reach that point, you must stop touching it and let it dry completely or risk an ugly looking streak or dirty looking smudge that you'll have to deal with on the next coat. If you work quickly enough, you shouldn't have this issue. There is a little window of working time during application. Hope this helps anyone out there looking for info other than Java for their golden oak updating! Update: As time passed, I was less and less pleased with the orangey-caramel tone of the nutmeg and ended up painting it with a cabinet, door and trim enamel. I also hated the flaw in the wood that took the stain very darkly despite my attempts at pretreating that flaw. I thought about using a different gel stain over the nutmeg, maybe antique walnut, but I just didn't want another color disappointment.

Overall I love this gel stain over any other stain option there is! It goes on so well and isn’t tacky. This nutmeg color came out amazing! Will never use any other kind of stain

This is the only place I could find that had nutmeg at a reasonable price. I needed it to match a product I bought off of another site. Perfect tint, easy application. Glad I found it.

Super easy to use and my table looks brand new. Went on pinterest and looked at the directions for the gel stain java color and now I am crafty. I used the nutmeg and it is a rich beautiful color. Got out glitter and other wonderful art decor my kiddos left stained on the table.

I am an avid DIY decorator and this is my absolute favorite Gel Stain to use. Granted, I have never used another brand, but the resulting color for this one is perfect. It is also very easy to use -- no sanding!! -- and 1/2 pint goes a long way! I would definitely recommend it!