Exception: We have successfully cleaned with Clorox wipes for occasional cleanups. Can you explain about the number of grits in sandpaper and the differences between a low number and a high number? Dents in the lid from direct contact with a hammer can impair a complete seal. Choose a clear finish that has a level of gloss you want for your wood. You can use oil-based stain and put a water-based polyurethane on top. The Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based White Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer can be used on a variety of surfaces throughout the whole house. Test for adherence and aesthetics before beginning. Spray Presta polish on buffing pad stuff to lubricate the pad. You mix can High Performance Topcoat sheens to adjust your sheen. There is always a small amount of color pull when using water-based stains, but the smooth surface escalates this condition. High Performance is sold in Pints, Quarts & Gallons by GF Retailers, Clear Poly is Gallon, 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums by GF Distributors. Contains a biocide that protects the dried coating … If you were to just sand and stain pine, it would look very blotchy. 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. Leaving excess stains on the wood won’t affect the color very much, but can leave blotches and an uneven surface. Most likely the chalk paint is so dry it is pulling some of the solvents away from the High Performance, causing an uneven finish or the appearance of streaking. No sanding or etching or deglossing agents are needed to get a firm bond. Compatibility  If working with older product stir with a paint mixing attachment on a drill. High Performance does not streak over a sealed surface when properly applied. The very best application method is spraying. Always test your project's ENTIRE finishing schedule (from cleaning to topcoat) on an inside door or a more hidden area of the piece. Contamination and Compatibility Every existing finish is different and we rarely know the finishing provenance on an existing piece. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance. Apply these finishes lightly, using several coats. This is normal. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. causing tannin, stain or dye bleed-through, is a matte water based topcoat with a velvety feel and was, developed as a durable alternative to our Satin Wax. 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 And High Performance is not thick enough for transfers either. Keep from freezing. Interior and exterior, water-based, primer / sealer. Allow the first coat to cure overnight. But allow the first coat to completely dry so that you can lightly sand it down and smooth it out before adding more coats. Remove dust with a water-dampened cloth. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. If the first coat absorbs into the paint it will require multiple coats of High Performance to build a film of sealer above the paint. Winner of Fine Woodworking's "Best Overall Choice Award," High Performance Topcoat was voted as the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane topcoat. NOTE: Never wet sand a water-based finish. Remove any streaks that occur by buffing with fine-grade (220-320) sanding pad, or sanding well and re-coating. You can also seal an oil-based stain with a coat of shellac or lacquer sealer to provide a barrier between the oil and the acrylic. Stir the stain in the can before applying it. The best sealer for chalk paint is General Finishes Top Coat which does an outstanding job of preserving the look, feel, and color of chalk paint. Whether you're restoring an old piece of furniture, or building a brand new one, you're going to want to bring it to life with stain and finish. If needed, lubricate by moistening with General Finishes Satin Finishing Wax, mineral spirits, or naphtha. Using a wood conditioner should help alleviate the issue. A clear topcoat is not required on. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Repeated rounds of sanding will remove the coarse-grit scratches from the previous passes. However, the life of the product may be extended several more years with proper care and storage (see Storage Tips below). General Finishes cannot guarantee an ideal refinish when applying our products on top of or combined with another company's products or over surfaces that have been in contact with waxes, polishes or sprays containing contaminants such as silicone. Even though Enduro Clear poly is more durable and more water resistant than High Performance, High Performance is extremely durable and also recommended for high-use surfaces like kitchen cabinets and table tops. Shaking causes bubbles, so poly should only be stirred. Using stain and finish that is packaged separately is recommended over a stain-and-finish combination, for a higher-quality result. Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion. Product Spills Another cause for blushing is high humidity. Shaking can create air bubbles which will get transferred to your wood. You can tell if a water-based finish is dry if it forms a powder when lightly sanded with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad or 400-grit sandpaper. Dry Time Between Coats Clean the chime of the can thoroughly with a paper towel before closing to create a complete seal. What does it mean if I have small bubbles on the floor in some places? Frozen and heat-damaged product cannot be revitalized. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. For the smoothest result, apply with a spray gun. Use only with adequate ventilation. 300-grit or 400-grit sandpaper is too fine for preparing raw wood. To prevent this, either use a quick-drying water-based stain or allow the oil-based stain to dry for 72 hours. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. High Performance is urethane based and contains less matting agents which result in a slightly harder finish. This happens when you use an oil-based polyurethane product. Some areas may just have quirks that can't be completely removed. Water-heavy finishes will sometimes swell wood fibers unevenly. Avoid painting period furniture, such as a 1940s serpentine mahogany desk, with light colors. Remove fingerprints, cooking fumes and smoking residue with mild soap and water. 1. UTEE can be used to coat polymer clay projects, giving a thick, clear surface like resin. Flat Out Flat is made with a stable self cross-linking acrylic instead of urethane. 2. Any water based product with thinned tap water; water often contains bacteria that will adversely affect stored paint. DRY/WET BUFF WITH ABRALON POLISHING DISCS. Clear Poly is an Acrylic Urethane and High Performance is a Urethane/Acrylic Blend. Pry open sealed lids with a paint can opener by hooking under the lid's rolled edge. Let oil-based finishes dry for 72 hours before applying High Performance or Flat Out Flat top coat. Stain Blocker may improve adhesion and prevent bleed-through for painting projects. What's the best staining and finishing products when finishing wood? Continue section by section. As with all fine furniture finishes, avoid using furniture polish, cleaners or dusting sprays that contain silicone, alcohol, ammonia and anything acidic. Low odour application and conveniently quick-drying with excellent adhesion to even glossy surfaces. Mist buffing pad with Presta lubricating material when it gets too dry. Application tools and materials containing water-based products can be cleaned with soap and water or General Finishes Brush & Gun Cleaner immediately after use. Shellac-Based White Interior\Spot Exterior Primer and Sealer can be used in low temperatures and sticks to any surface without sanding. What can I use for the top layer as protection if I want to use a bees wax finish? Spraying a light guide-coat on the surface prior to sanding shows the high and low areas, and helps keep the body lines straight as you sand. Highly recommend it. The first is the volume of water used to mix the cement into concrete. Wiping varnish (oil-based polyurethane thinned 50% with paint thinner) is the best application for stained, decorative pieces. Sanding Sealer is best used … Pad Applicators or paint rollers are also helpful on larger horizontal surfaces such as a table top. Do not store product in an attic, garage, in direct sunlight, or next to something warm like a water heater or furnace. Finish with 1500-grit paper. Here are some options to try. The folks at GF might use several types of brushes for a project. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon in paint application and does not necessarily constitute a defect in the paint finish or your technique. Pour what you will use into a bowl, paper cup, or plate, and close can lid as you work. 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. 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. Spills may be able to be removed from fabric and carpet if cleaned immediately with soap and water. Always stir thoroughly before using. Water Based Topcoats and Sanding Sealer. 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. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you get any stain on anything other than the wood, you may not be able to remove it. When in doubt, waiting longer is always better. General Finishes products are best used within 1 year. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. ft. Mid-gloss finish You can perform a simple splash test to see if water beads up on the surface of the wood. Clumps & Settling Do not use water-based products with Linseed Oils or Danish Oils. New Stained Surface: Do not sand. Go over your brush strokes several times to spread the stain out and create a smooth area. Apply at least two more coats for a thorough, even finish over the first coat, which might be more heavily sanded than usual for a finish coat. All wood projects require preparation sanding. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Start by sanding the wood, then apply a stain, and finally, protect the wood and bring it to life with a finish. In most cases, decks need to be resealed every three years. If the flaws in the wood aren't sanded away, the finish that is applied will only highlight and expose any marks or scratches. Generally, when sanding wood, you would use 80, 120, 240 and then 280 or even finer if you wish. Both evaporating water and pooled water can interfere with a stain or sealer. Future finishes or touch-ups may not adhere properly or perform as desired over a contaminated surface. You will see more stratification or separation as the product ages. If the wood has been stained, Sanding Sealer is not necessary. Here’s a reminder of what the top of this table looked like before: Some contaminants, such as silicone, seep through finish into the wood and often cannot be removed. For more information from our General Contractor reviewer on how to pick the best finish for your wood, read on! Blocks stains, permanently sealing graffiti, grease spots, tar and asphalt, indoors and out. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. 2. It is also a good idea to apply sanding sealer to give a more even color transition, especially on end grain and soft woods, which tend to soak up more stain, making them darker than the grain surface. Always wondered how to read palms? This product can expose you to chemicals including 1,4-Dioxane, Ethylbenzene, Dibromoacetonitrile, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. Be sure to allow adequate dry time. Knots in wood tend to bleed and are dense, making paint and stain adhesion a challenge. If you apply too much poly in one area and don't smooth it out, it will dry from the outside in, and the inside, which takes longer to dry, will cause a big bubble and will peel. It is so versatile, it can be brushed or sprayed. General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat Application Steps, Tips to prevent streaking during hand-application: This article has been viewed 256,079 times. If you see blemishes you may need to sand the wood again. Dust can build up over time and may scratch or dull finishes if not removed regularly. Their Flat High-Performance Top Coat is a clear, flat, water-based topcoat and excels at making chalk painted or … The most common reason is an incompatible stain. The mobile carts used in the towline approach can be designed with top platens that rotate either manually or automatically. Water-based products can last 3-5 years if the can is unopened, in good condition and stored in correct temperatures. Start with sandpaper that has a grit of about 120. Zinsser 1 qt. It is normal to see a bit of stain on the brush when applying the first coat of topcoat. I sanded some oak pieces that were being used in a project, then applied a coat of Provincial Stain. 3. There is no reliable way to predict whether yellowing will occur and to what degree. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? See our video: How to Prepare Existing Finishes. This will not help if the yellowing occurs later, but at least you will know if there is an immediate problem. Then finish with your topcoat. What can I use to prevent water stains or rings? When done, mist entire surface with and buff with a micro-cloth to remove splatter. Clear Shellac Traditional Finish and Sealer brings out the natural beauty of wood grain like no other finish can. Finish in a flash with a fast-drying sealer Instead of waiting a day between a sealer coat of poly and the first topcoat, speed up the process by first applying a fast-drying sanding sealer. Keep lid closed while working. You can also improve drying conditions by increasing the temperature in the drying area. If you skip this critical step, your finish may fail. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. When you dip the rag or brush in the stain make sure not to let it drip anywhere you don’t want it to go. The more flatting agents, the more likely a topcoat will streak when applied. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Clean-Old-Hardwood-Floors-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Old-Hardwood-Floors-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Clean-Old-Hardwood-Floors-Step-11.jpg\/aid1360390-v4-728px-Clean-Old-Hardwood-Floors-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"