If the stain isn’t dark enough, you may want to apply several coats. You can also use a foam brush that is about 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide. Dry 2+ hours between coats in ideal conditions: 70°F 21°C; 50% humidity. We like to use a bristle brush (which loads up more paint) to get Milk Paint on the surface, and then use a water or Extender dampened foam brush to smooth out the finish.​. More specifically, finishing means applying one of many kinds of protective coating, usually clear, generically called "finish". The very best application method is spraying. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. can also cause bubbles. Frozen and heat-damaged product cannot be revitalized. Interior and exterior, water-based, primer / sealer. Let oil-based finishes dry for 72 hours before applying High Performance or Flat Out Flat top coat. More coats will not improve durability. Pry open sealed lids with a paint can opener by hooking under the lid's rolled edge. FIRST AID: Prop 65 WARNING: This product can expose you to Ethylene oxide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. This product can expose you to chemicals including 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylbenzene, Dibromoacetonitrile, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. Last Updated: June 2, 2020 Apply your stain and finish with long smooth strokes of your brush. How do I finish antique wood? Remove any streaks that occur by buffing with fine-grade (220-320) sanding pad, or sanding well and re-coating. If you see blemishes you may need to sand the wood again. All wood projects require preparation sanding. ", "It helped me because I had homework to do. Always follow best practices by not rushing, and testing to your satisfaction first. High Performance is urethane based and contains less matting agents which result in a slightly harder finish. It's one of the quirks. When white paint sealed with a water-white topcoat is applied to something as unpredictable as wood, all bets are off and the reason for yellowing is often unknown. Their Flat High-Performance Top Coat is a clear, flat, water-based topcoat and excels at making chalk painted or … To prevent this, either use a quick-drying water-based stain or allow the oil-based stain to dry for 72 hours. High Performance Warnings and Warranties Application tools and materials containing water-based products can be cleaned with soap and water or General Finishes Brush & Gun Cleaner immediately after use. When the second coat of stain has dried, use a natural bristle brush that’s about 2 inches wide to apply the first coat of your finish. Alternative storage containers for water-based products are plastic FIFO bottles or glass bottles. Apply 3 coats of High Performance. He has been a construction professional since 1987. General Finishes products are best used within 1 year. If lubricated, one sheet of 1000-grit or 1500-grit should do the entire table. If the finish feels cool to the touch, it's not ready. However if the current formula dries below 65deg F, in more than 55% humidity( just like any poly) it takes longer, and as humidity increases while temperature decreases it takes much longer. The folks at GF might use several types of brushes for a project. Applying a water-based finish in humidities of over 75% may cause blushing because moisture becomes trapped beneath the finish and cannot evaporate. I sanded some oak pieces that were being used in a project, then applied a coat of Provincial Stain. Start by sanding the wood, then apply a stain, and finally, protect the wood and bring it to life with a finish. Once you know how long it will take the stain to dry you can begin staining the rest of the piece. Last, not all manufacturers' topcoats are compatible with other finishes and may react with a color change. Layer 3. Then finish with your topcoat. What is the difference between professional Enduro Clear Poly and High Performance Topcoat? However, too much sanding in an area that has a blemish may only make it worse. *How Do I Buff Out High Performance Water Based Topcoat to a High Gloss? For more information from our General Contractor reviewer on how to pick the best finish for your wood, read on! Is it a good idea to apply several coats of 100% tung oil? Both topcoats have similar water resistance, but High Performance offers greater clarity. Sherry applied one coat of basic water-based sealer, and then for our second coat we tried this “Triple Thick” version to hopefully add extra protection and durability. Here’s a reminder of what the top of this table looked like before: Always include a clause in your contracts addressing the need for additional coats to achieve coverage. Scuff clean with a Scotch-Brite™ pad or maroon synthetic steel wool & 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol & water. Start slowly, monitor to see if buildup is occurring. To fix this, the surface needs to be scuffed and sanded first. I can vouch, if you had used the stone age Minwax poly (of years ago) it would have taken 2-3 days (or more) to achieve a surface you can sand. Put on protective gloves. NOTE: Never wet sand a water-based finish. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Water Based Topcoats and Sanding Sealer. Manufacturer Account Custom Coatings Registration Form, COMPARE Paints, Glazes & Pigmented Topcoats, COMPARE Primers, Sanding Sealers & Undercoats, Water Based Paints, Glazes and Pigmented Top Coats, Enduro Ready to Match (RTM) Water Based Stain, Fill Sticks -NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Touch Up Markers - NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Water Based Paints, Pearl Effects & Glazes, High Performance Polyurethane Water Based Topcoat, Fill Stick and Touch Up Marker Assortment Pack, Comparison of General Finishes Water-Based Top Coats, Step 2: How To Apply General Finishes High Performance, See our general guide for spray tip sizes, Read here for more information on spraying techniques. Yes, just be sure to get high quality paint made for wood and remember to sand the wood nicely. Details and inside corners are difficult to cover with any paint color, but it tends to be more noticeable with whites. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Always test before proceeding with the entire project when using General Finishes projects with other manufacturer's products. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Stir topcoat to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process. High Performance can also be applied by hand with a foam/bristle brush. See our video: How to Prevent Streaking with Water Based Topcoat. Spray Presta polish on buffing pad stuff to lubricate the pad. You have probably tried to touch up white woodwork in your home after several years and noticed the new paint is brighter. The following best practices will increase the life of your product: The following water-based product mixtures can be stored: The following product mixtures should NOT be stored: Cure First High Performance does not streak over a sealed surface when properly applied. A large sized table might take 5-25 sheets of paper. Test this remedy in a small area first to make sure it is working. This article has been viewed 256,079 times. If you skip this critical step, your finish may fail. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Storage Tips Some contaminants, such as silicone, seep through finish into the wood and often cannot be removed. Once you pour poly out of can into the application tray, strain it with a screen. You don’t have to sand down the final coat as sanding will remove the nice shine and finished look. Thank you.". These can damage furniture and finishes. Stir the stain in the can before applying it. Would sanding dealer and wood conditioner work well for staining wood? Can Oil & Water Finishes be Used Over One Another? General Finishes products must be tested to your complete satisfaction before using. The lower the number, the coarser the sandpaper. Increase open time, if needed, with up to 5%. Apply a quarter-sized dab of polish to sand one section. Low odour application and conveniently quick-drying with excellent adhesion to even glossy surfaces. Please be mindful of the manner in which water-based products are stored and how long they have been in storage. Always sand with the grain of the wood. Shaking can create air bubbles which will get transferred to your wood. Zinsser B-I-N 1 qt. Both topcoats have similar water resistance, but High Performance offers greater clarity. *How Can I Tell if a Water Based Topcoat is Dry? Warning: Do not use water-based products with Linseed Oils or Danish Oils. Stain Blocker may improve adhesion and prevent bleed-through for painting projects. That actually makes the blotchiness worse. Store in moderate temperatures. % of people told us that this article helped them. Decant remaining product from the can before stirring. A wood conditioner is a prep step only used on sappy woods like pine or old wood that's really dry. Avoid temperatures below 50°F/10°C or above 100°F/26°C. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. ​​​​​​Bristle brushes are particularly helpful on vertical and detailed surfaces but they can produce subtle texture. Apply several coats of lacquer, then buff the surface with sandpaper, starting with 600-grit sandpaper, and working your way up to 2000-grit. Thin as desired with distilled water; start with 5%, increase up to 10% by volume. Wood conditioner is recommended for softer woods. When preparing the stain, always stir the can, never shake it. Water-based polyurethane is the best finish for bare wood, as it highlights the features of the wood itself, such as the grain and the natural color. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. GF has improved the High Performance formula and Cross Linker would not provide an added benefit. Allow 21 days for a water-based finish to cure and 30 days for an oil-based finish to cure before cleaning. Cost is determined by Retailer/Distributor. The more flatting agents, the more likely a topcoat will streak when applied. Every tree is different and every piece of wood is unique. Wiping varnish (oil-based polyurethane thinned 50% with paint thinner) is the best application for stained, decorative pieces. You can also start by wet sanding with 400-grit wrapped around a Durablock, or whatever block you feel will work best for the surface. Layer 2. Avoid painting period furniture, such as a 1940s serpentine mahogany desk, with light colors. Too fine of a grit changes the wood from a porous surface to one that is too smooth to absorb the stain, which causes the first top coat application to pull excessive color (it is like trying to apply stain to glass). Do I need to sand all my wood if I'm using polyurethane? This article has been viewed 256,079 times. Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products: Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hr before applying water-based products, Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hr before applying oil-based products, To accelerate dry time in humid conditions, add. Stain Blocker does not adhere to melamine cabinet veneers. Any clear coat can become reactive over wood substrates or existing finishes causing tannin, stain or dye bleed-through. Wash thoroughly after handling. There's something with the adhesion that won't work. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance. It also stops bleeding knots and sap streaks. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Water-based finishes crystalize and form a skin due to evaporation when the air-tight seal on a can is broken at first use. Another cause for blushing is high humidity. Possible solution: Porous paints such as chalk paint may require additional coats of High Performance Topcoat to seal off the paint. Flat Out Flat is a matte water based topcoat with a velvety feel and was developed as a durable alternative to our Satin Wax. Dry times will be longer if it is raining, cold, or humid. I've found that it also helps with oak. Regularly polishing the finished wood can keep it looking smooth and shiny, but it's a good idea to keep in mind which finish you used. You should be able to use a buffing pad on 10-20 tables before washing and reusing. Do not store product in an attic, garage, in direct sunlight, or next to something warm like a water heater or furnace. There are three causes: 1. Clumps & Settling Sand lightly with 220-320-grit foam sanding sponge. 2. Sanding Sealer is best used … If the solids dissolve and clumps smooth out after mixing from the bottom, the product is in good condition for use. The more porous the paint, such as a chalk paint, If it is a low-use project, use a premium white paint that is self-sealing and does not require a topcoat. The pieces were often finished in stain that contained aniline dyes, which cast a pinkish bleed-through under light paint. This can increase the cost of paint finishing. This will not help if the yellowing occurs later, but at least you will know if there is an immediate problem. Contains a biocide that protects the dried coating … Clear embossing powder is popularly used in crafts because it can be melted in a special melting pot and then used as a clear coating material. Exception: We have successfully cleaned with Clorox wipes for occasional cleanups. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. 2. Also, remember that a clear coat will add a lot. In most cases, this will remove any of the flaws without causing worse problems. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. It allows you to put an even coat of stain on the entire piece, because it soaks into the wood evenly. If your product has a foul smell, it is contaminated and no longer in useable condition. If you don't wipe down the wood before you apply your stain, you can cause uneven parts and blemishes. Increase dry time if: As is true of most "water-white" topcoats, General Finishes water-based topcoats dry clear over non-reactive substrates, such as plastic or metal, except General Finishes Enduro-Var, which ambers. Remove dust with a water-dampened cloth. Treat gently until the paint or topcoat have fully cured. Spread with pad. More, America's Leading Manufacturer of Innovative Water-Based Wood Finishes. *Why Did the Finish On My Piece Become Cloudy After Top-Coating Milk Paint with High Performance? Then apply very light coats (800 to 1,000 square feet per gallon) of the wax. Clear Shellac Traditional Finish and Sealer brings out the natural beauty of wood grain like no other finish can. Second, we recommend applying a sanding sealer to protect the top. Knots Generally, when sanding wood, you would use 80, 120, 240 and then 280 or even finer if you wish. Don’t shake the can. Be sure to allow adequate dry time. Inability to reincorporate large, chunky lumps after stirring for several minutes is an indication that the product has frozen and can no longer be used. Repeat steps 3-7 again. You mix can High Performance Topcoat sheens to adjust your sheen. An electric polisher will get the job done quickly. If in doubt, wait longer. 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