General Finishes

10/22/2026

"Some pieces are a labor of love. This one was a labor of love, patience, perseverance… and a few choice swear words. 🤎
This solid mahogany buffet was a commissioned piece for dear friends of mine, and let me tell you… it tested me in ways I never imagined!

What started as a seemingly straightforward request to transform a traditional red mahogany finish into a beautiful, cohesive medium brown became one of the most challenging refinishing projects I’ve ever tackled.

After stripping every inch down to raw wood, I discovered a patchwork of wildly different shades of red mahogany. And getting all those variations to play nicely together? Well, that became quite the adventure.

Color theory, custom toning, countless adjustments, endless problem-solving, a few tears, more than a few swear words, and many long days in the garage.

There were moments I questioned everything. Moments I wanted to sand it all down again and start over. Moments where I had to put it in a time out. Moments I shed a few tears.
Nearly two months later, here she is. 🤎

A beautifully rich, warm, cohesive medium brown that allows the natural beauty of the mahogany to shine without all that red.
And I am absolutely IN LOVE with how she turned out!
This piece reminded me that furniture refinishing isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s frustrating, exhausting, and downright humbling. But there’s something incredibly rewarding about working through the challenges and finally seeing the vision come to life.

Some pieces just make you work a little harder in order for your heart to start singing🤎" - Pennollo Designs

Products used:
General Finishes HPTC in flat with a combination of Bright Green TransTint by General Finishes toner and GF Medium Brown Dye Stain toner

10/20/2026

"Well, this dresser has come a LONG way! 🤎
I’m not gonna lie, this one definitely tested my skills! Between the missing wooden pulls, damaged veneer, and that laminate top, I had my work cut out for me.
But you know me, I’m not one to shy away from a challenge!
Here’s what went into this restoration:
• Stripped and sanded the old finish
• Recreated the missing wooden pulls on the bottom two drawers using chisels and lots of patience!
• Replaced and blended the damaged veneer on the side
• Applied new walnut veneer directly over the existing laminate top
• Stained with a custom mix of General Finishes Antique Walnut and Nutmeg Gel Stains
• Used Mohawk Finishing Products Blendal sticks and Walnut Brown toner to blend the veneer repair
• Sealed everything with a protective satin topcoat
I have to say, recreating those wooden pulls was probably my favorite part! I wasn’t even sure I could do it, but I’m so glad I gave it a shot.
Is it perfect? Nope. But I’m pretty darn happy with how it turned out!
What do you think? Was this one worth saving?" - It’s About Flippin Time

Mix like GF stains (oil +oil, water + water) to create custom colors. See more examples in our Design Center at https://designs.generalfinishes.com/color-category/custom-stain-colors

10/12/2026

10/06/2026

10/02/2026

"Sometimes when I refinish a table for a client, it doesn’t get a drastic makeover. More so a “glow up” with a durable finish. The process is still the same however, and for this table I completely stripped the previous finish, and then stained it using General Finishes Antique Brown Water Based Stain before finally spraying a topcoat to protect it. The end result is a finish that will last and looks brand new again!" - Flipping Unbelievable

See all General Finishes stain colors here: https://generalfinishes.com/all-colors

10/01/2026

"I gave this table a complete transformation—the base is painted in Chicken Salad by Mélange Paints for the perfect moody, earthy backdrop, while the top got a rich coat of General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain in Walnut. Finished off with General Finishes High Performance Topcoat in Satin for a smooth, durable finish that’s ready for family dinners!
(I wasn’t dragging this beast into my house for pictures, so enjoy the AI generated photo to see what it would look like in a home!)
Nothing means more than when clients come back for a second piece! What do you think of this color combination?" - Hall Refined Design

Find a retailer near you: https://generalfinishes.com/where-to-buy

09/29/2026

One dye. Two ways to control color.

One product. Two different jobs. 🔄

As a stain: apply TransTint to raw wood to add color and bring out the grain. This is your foundation coat, done before any topcoat goes on.

As a toner: mix TransTint into your topcoat and apply between coats. Use this to adjust color, even out blotchy areas, or shift the tone slightly without starting over.

Same bottle, just a different point in the process.

09/25/2026

09/15/2026