Staining Oak Cabinets an Espresso Finish {FAQ’s}

I get many e-mails about my honey oak to espresso staining tutorial, and most of the questions are recurring ones, so I’ve started an FAQ (see below). I update it as needed, so feel free to bookmark this page.

1.) Have you done your kitchen cabinets yet? I’d love to see them!

-Nope! We’ve been focusing all of our effort on finishing up the office/dining room and getting the darn bathroom renovation done. I am planning on tackling our beast of a kitchen sometime in 2013.

2.) What kind of sock? Really? Why? Are you sure? The white kind?

-Bottom line: men’s cotton athletic socks, Hanes or store brand doesn’t matter, and it’s because it simply works. If you want to use something else, that’s cool.

3.) Why General Finishes? Why can’t I use <insert other stain brand here>? Does it really matter?

-Well, this stain works well, is easy to work with, has excellent coverage and I love it. I haven’t had luck with other stains. If you have and want to use something else, that’s great. I only will recommend General Finishes for this specific project. Because it works. So yeah. :)

4.) Does the stain have bad odor or fumes?

-Not that I can recall. I did all my staining in a tiny bathroom space with no windows and am OK.

5.) What kind of poly did you use? How long did you wait between poly coats?

-General Finishes poly in satin. I wanted a non-high gloss finish. If you can’t find this poly, I would recommend any water based poly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time. I also applied it with a sock.

6.) Has the stain held up?

-Granted I don’t have kids, but the stain has held up to me scrubbing with a Lysol wipe and no issues.

7.) Should I stain my cabinets?

-Up to you! It’s easy. :)

8.) Does this work on bare wood? Why not? Wouldn’t it? Do you know how to make it work on bare wood?

-Personally, I tried this method on bare wood, and I hated the color it came out. However, if you’d like to give it a shot, be my guest, but I truly have no advice for you. Sorry! :-(

9.) Will this work on my white cabinets (or any other color)?

I think it'll work on white paint as long as you're ok with 2 things:

1- you likely won't see a ton of wood grain

2- it may take more coats

Other than that, the process is exactly the same. Again, I’ve never tried it, it’s just what I think. I make NO guarantees.

10.) Do you have any photos showing your vanity completely finished?

-See below:

11.) Amazon is sold out. Where else can I buy it? What if I live in Canada or the moon and can’t find it?

-www.woodcraft.com and of course, www.google.com

12.) How long did you wait to put on the hardware?

-1 full day after my final topcoat.

13.) Will this work on <insert other random piece of furniture here>?

-Why wouldn’t it? Yes, it would. Stair rails, dressers, beds. Stain away.

14.) What if it’s particle board/laminate?

-Treat it the same way. You’ll be fine.

15.) OMG I think I screwed up my cabinets.

-You likely put too much stain. The solution isn’t to put more, it’s to let it dry completely, put less next time, and move on. :)

16.) Are you SURE I don’t have to chemically strip my <insert piece of oak furniture here>?

-I’m positive. People, I am not lying. I see your pins on Pinterest, “I love this makeover! Wonder if it works…?” Um. Yes. It works. I just proved it did. Don’t over think it! :)

If you’d like to see the full tutorial on how to get these results, go here.

If you’d like to see my inspiration for doing this in the first place, go here.

And lastly, I’m totally being sarcastic in a funny way with these FAQ’s, not in a mean way. So please know I am on your side, rooting for your project to succeed. Smooches!

Now, I will also add that as a blogger like myself…I do these tutorials to share knowledge, experience, etc. I don’t get paid to write them, some take me hours upon hours to do (plus take photos, edit photos, write the tutorial, edit, publish, promote) which I know is totally my choice. However, I’ve always been the type to want to share what I know and give my reviews/steps for projects, soooooo…If you read my tutorial and like it/use it/pin it, please leave me a comment. Comments let me know that my content is being read, appreciated/valued, etc. But either way, please remember that bloggers everywhere work really hard to produce their content, so leave us some love. :)

And most of all, happy staining!