Stains & Finishes

General Finishes

General Finishes produces professional-grade, water-based & oil-based wood finishing products and waterbourne coatings for all your woodworking projects.

Waterbased Products

Here is a selection of the waterbased products we currently stock in our showroom.

Exterior 450

Exterior 450

Exterior 450 Topcoat a clear-drying low VOC finish suitable for vertical exterior surfaces, such as fences, patio furniture, garage doors and entrance doors. It is not recommended as a deck finish. Exterior 450 is fortified with UV absorbers to stabilize and protect the integrity the finish*, and built-in mildewcides to slow mold and mildew growth. It performs well as a clear coat or as an optional topcoat over darker colors General Finishes Milk Paint. Do not use over light or white paints as yellowing may occur. *The UV additive in 450 Clear will protect the integrity of the film, but will not prevent the wood from changing color from sunlight. Brush or spray.

Specs

  • Coverage: 140-160 sq.ft./quart, 560-640 sq.ft./gallon

High Performance

High Performance

Winner of Fine Woodworking‘s “Best Overall Choice Award,” High Performance Topcoat was voted as the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane topcoat. It is so versatile, it can be brushed or sprayed. Now available in a new sheen, Dead Flat, formulated with new patented polymer technology. The new Dead Flat delivers a <5-degree sheen, high-water resistance, and very high chemical resistance.

Specs

  • Coverage: 125-150 sq.ft./quart, 500-600 sq.ft./gallon

 

Dye Stain

Dye Stain

Water-based Dye Stains penetrate deep into the wood to beautifully magnify the grain. This low VOC stain will provide your project with more depth and color vibrancy than any other wood stain. Dye Stain is a PFAS-free stainand as General Finishes strives for a cleaner and healthier environment, all future product development will be free of “Forever Chemicals.” This product is excellent for highly figured woods like mahogany, walnut or maple. Dye stains can also be used as a toner when mixed with Water Based Topcoats.

Specs

  • Coverage: 120-160 sq.ft./quart, 480-640 sq.ft./gallon

Exterior 450 Stain

Exterior 450 Stain

GF’s Exterior 450 Stains are low VOC premium quality, exterior pigmented water-based wood stains designed for outdoor projects with vertical surfaces such as garage doors, entrance doors and furniture. Can be applied to wood, MDF, and fiberglass. Exterior Stain is PFAS-freeand as General Finishes strives for a cleaner and healthier environment, all future product development will be free of “Forever Chemicals.” Exterior 450 is also made with more than 50% RENEWABLE RESOURCES formulated from sustainable materials that decrease the carbon footprint. These stains are not recommended for large horizontal surfaces such as decks. Exterior 450 Stains contain U.V. absorbers to protect the finish and mildewcides to slow mold and mildew growth, but will not prevent the wood from changing color in sunlight. Brush or spray.

Specs

  • Coverage: 140-160 sq.ft./quart, 560-640 sq.ft./gallon

Glaze Effects

Glaze Effects

Glaze Effects are translucent water-based colors used to create beautiful decorative finishes such as marbling, shabby chic, burnishing and color washing. Use over Water Based Wood Stains, and Milk Paints. Glaze Effects can be intermixed to create custom colors. They may also be layered over one another to create deeper, richer looks.

Specs

  • Coverage: 120-160 sq.ft./quart

*We only stock this color in Pitch Black quarts.

 

Oil Based Products

Here is a selection of the oil based products we currently stock in our showroom.

Arm-R-Seal

Arm-R-Seal

Arm-R-Seal Oil-Based Topcoats are made with the highest-quality urethane resin, making them extremely durable and long-lasting. Formulated to be wiped on with a cloth or applied with a foam brush, this ambering finish penetrates to provide deep-down protection for that “natural” look. Arm-R-Seal is a PFAS-free topcoatand as General Finishes strives for a cleaner and healthier environment, all future product development will be free of “Forever Chemicals.”

Specs

  • Coverage: 100-125 sq.ft./quart, 400-500 sq.ft./gallon
Gel Stain

Gel Stain

Gel Stain from General Finishes is home of the popular Java Gel Stain featured across the nation’s social media for upcycling furniture and cabinets. Gel wood stains are heavy-bodied and do not penetrate as deeply into the wood as liquid oil-based wipe-on stains, providing the deepest, richest colors of any oil-based stain. Gel Wood Stain is a PFAS-free formula.

Specs

  • 150-200 sq.ft./quart

Oil Wood Stain

Oil Based Wood Stain

Liquid Oil-Based Wood Penetrating Stains made from the highest-quality oils, resins, and pigments to ensure your finishing project will be an easy and rewarding experience. These wipe-on stains are designed to be applied over raw wood surfaces. General Finishes liquid oil-based is a PFAS-free formula.

Specs

  • Coverage: 180-200 sq.ft./quart

 

Wood Bowl Finish

Wood Bowl Finish

Wood Bowl Finish is a durable oil-and-urethane oil-based finish designed for decorative wooden bowls and turnings. For countertops actively used for chopping and cutting, use Butcher Block Oil instead. Wood Bowl Finish is a PFAS-free coating.
*Wood Bowl Finish was previously called Salad Bowl Finish.

Specs

  • 100-120 sq.ft./quart

Outdoor Oil

Outdoor Oil

General Finishes Outdoor Oil is an exterior-rated penetrating oil that is a wood maintenance preservative. It contains UV prohibitors, heat stabilizers & mildew prohibitors. Use Outdoor Oil for all exterior outdoor wood projects, particularly wood furniture. It can be used by itself, over any stain, and on pressure-treated wood. NOTE: Outdoor Oil may not adhere to extremely oily exotic woods. Outdoor Oil is a PFAS-free exterior wood maintenance preservative.

Specs

  • Coverage: quart, 240-360 sq.ft./gallon

 

Other Products

Alongside our General Finishes line of stains and topcoats we have various polishes, waxes, and cleaners.

Orange Oil

Orange Oil

Orange Oil is General Finishes most popular and natural furniture care product. It can be used on any cured finish and does a superb job of removing everyday dirt and dust. Orange Oil is all-natural, non-combustible with a fresh orange scent. Designed for use on interior wood finishes. Orange oil is great for routine furniture maintenance, antique restoration, and as a lubricant when buffing topcoats. Orange Oil is a PFAS-free wood maintenance product. 

Butcher Block Oil

Butcher Block Oil

Butcher Block Oil is a natural protectant for all wood surfaces that come in contact with food. Use this oil-based finish on wood cutting boards, utensils, bowls and butcher blocks. The mineral oils used in General Finishes Butcher Block Oil meet all the requirements for use on wooden products that come in contact with food.

Satin Finishing Wax

Satin Finishing Wax

Satin Finishing Wax is a special blend of waxes designed to give finished woods a rich luster. It can be used as a polish for rubbing out new finishes or as a scratch-remover for worn surfaces. It works well over oil and water-based finishes, including Danish Oil. We recommend a wet-sanding process followed by buffing to a soft silky sheen. Satin Finishing Wax is a PFAS-free wood finish and maintenance formula.