General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat – 1 Qt, Flat

General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat is a clear polyurethane for interior wood, and this 1 Qt can is the Flat sheen. Flat gives a low-lustre, almost raw-wood look, which suits furniture and cabinets where you want protection without a visible shine.

It dries to a hard, clear film that leaves the colour and grain of the wood showing through rather than masking them. Typical projects are tables, cabinetry, shelving, trim and decorative pieces that get handled every day.

Applying it

Start with a surface that is prepared, clean and dry, with no dust left on it. Apply thin coats, and allow 1 to 2 hours of drying time between them. A light sanding between coats improves adhesion and leaves a smoother final surface. Several thin coats build a tougher finish than one heavy one, and heavy coats on a flat sheen are more likely to look cloudy or uneven.

Two cautions

• Bright white paint: do not apply this clear topcoat over bright white paint, because a reaction with the paint underneath can cause yellowing. Light-coloured paints can also yellow, though usually less noticeably.
• Interior only: it is not made for exterior surfaces or outdoor exposure, so keep it off doors, railings and furniture that live outside.

The short recoat window means a tabletop can take several coats in one working day, and water-based cleanup keeps the job simple in a home shop.

Tip: stir rather than shake the can, so you are not brushing air bubbles into the finish.