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Gravity can cause some solids to settle on the bottom of the can and slight separation on the top. This is normal.

If working with older paint, use a paint mixing attachment on a drill to reincorporate the solids. If the solids dissolve and the clumps smooth out after mixing from the bottom, the product is in good condition. 

If your water based product has large chunks that cannot be incorporated by stirring, the product has frozen and can no longer be used.

 

General Finishes Enduro line of water-based coatings is formulated for professional, industrial and OEM for operations. Comprehensive videos for each product are available on YouTube, and comparison charts at www.GeneralFinishes.com.

Padauk Exotic Wood

We recommend an oil-based finish such as General Finishes Arm-R-Seal.

Oily woods can be tricky with any topcoat. The high oil content affects the drying process of the finish coats and Padauk has a very high oil content. Sometimes oily woods dry fine and sometimes they take weeks.

No, you cannot. The stain will not absorb due to the high moisture content of green wood and not accept the stain.

General Finishes Arm-R-Seal

Although Arm-R-Seal rarely needs thinning because of its low viscosity, it can be thinned with up to 10% mineral spirits - more than that may thin the solids content too much.

Thinned Arm-R-Seal will be diluted but can be stored without risk of separation.

Time and temperature play a roll in Stain Blocker's thickness and settling in the bottom of the can. What you are seeing is some of the fillers coagulating.

This is normal as long as it is soft on the bottom; it does not diminish its quality or effectiveness. You should be able to reincorporate the contents of the can - use a paint mixer if necessary because it is a thick, heavy product. However, you should not see any hard settle at the bottom of the can.

All stains need a top coat. Think of stain as the color and top coat as the sealer and protectant.

The high urethane content of General Finishes Gel Stains results in a lustrous finish that tends to fool people into assuming no sealant is required. The beauty of Gel Stain comes from thick thick urethane which can carry a LOT of color to any surface, but that color must be sealed in with top coat. An added bonus of top coat is that it also protects the wood from drying out.

Think of stain as the color and top coat as the sealer and protectant.

Frozen High Performance Water Based Topcoat

Usually not but not all water based products respond the same way to a freeze. Most stains will be fine because freezing doesn't affect color. Some of the dyes will coagulate.

This years contest features thousands of dollars of prizes! 

This year's contest entries will be accepted between Monday, July 4-25. GF will post a link to the entry page on July 4th. Voting begins Tuesday, July 26 and winners will be announced the first week in August.

General Finishes is often asked about product cans. Why do they rust? Why aren't they made of plastic? Here is the backstory:

During the supply-line shortages caused by Covid, we are thrilled to have any cans for our paints, stains, and topcoats.