You are putting gel stain on melamine?? It won't work as you have found....wipe it off and maybe paint will stick.

I don't know whether it's melamine, laminate, or foil. They are builder grade oak cabinets, solid frames and doors, and smooth, "fake" oak on the sides.

Like lindac said: "It won't work as you have found....wipe it off and maybe paint will stick."

Key word there being PAINT.

Dont forget to use a bonding primer or the paint wont stick well either. Good Luck

Good bonding primer is crucial. Then paint.

Definitely prime, but it doesn't need to be oil base.*DO* allow to dry at least 48 hrs. before applying the paint. I wouldn't suggest using the two-in-one primer/paint.

I primed first, then used it on the plasticy ends. Why not wait until it is very very dry, touch with your fingernail and make sure not tacky. Then do another coat. See what happens. If it still looks bad, then do the primer.

It takes a long time to dry. Don't be surprised if you wait a week. I know, what a pain. But it's worth it.

Bee

Actually, not all is lost. It seems that it's drying and looks not as bad as initially, so thanks so much for the encouragement, Bee :)
Did you wait ONE week before you did the second coat, or altogether? Also, did you use a clear top coat?

I did my projects during the heat of the humid summers. And yes, at least a week. Ugh. The GF gel stain--yes to the top coat. The Old Master gel stain--nope. It had a shine to it, and the timing was so tight with listing the house that there was no time to do the top coat. That was our dresser. I think the realtor was taking photos about an hour after we put it in our room. And it is still in good condition, even after the move.

Well, I'll see what happens. If it fails, I'll sand/strip it off, prime and use paint or gel.

I know that gel stains are used on fiberglass doors, so maybe it will be okay on the melamine/laminate?

Quick update: After the second coat it looks a lot better and can't be wiped off. Bee, what did you use as a top coat?

Not being a smart a$$, but the General Finishes Top Coat. :)

really.

I think the satin finish.

How does gel stain work on non wood surfaces, what is there to "stain" (as in have grain show through) does it just work like paint, then?

To follow-up. So far, so good. I'm happy with how the bathroom cabinet looks. I put a poly top coat on, and as of now, nothing has come off. On the non-wood surface (the fake wood one), it looks kind of like paint.