Exterior Stains & Topcoats

General Finishes offers a complete coatings system with a finish for every objective.

General Finishes Professional, Industrial, and OEM Water-Based Topcoats

• Enduro Professional Tintable 2K Clear Poly
• Enduro Professional Tintable 2K White Poly
• Enduro Professional 2K Conversion Varnish
• Enduro Professional 1K White Poly
• Enduro Professional 1K Clear Poly
• Enduro Professional Pro Series Clear Poly
• Enduro Professional Pro Series White Poly
• Enduro Professional Pre-Cat Lacquer

General Finishes Retail Water-Based Topcoats:

• High Performance Topcoat
• Flat Out Flat Topcoat
• Enduro-Var II Topcoat
• Exterior 450 Topcoat
• Wood Turners Finish

General Finishes Exterior Water-Based Topcoats:

• Enduro Professional Tintable 2K Clear Poly
• Enduro Professional Tintable 2K White Poly
• Enduro Professional 2K Conversion Varnish
• Exterior 450 Topcoat
• Exterior 450 White

General Finishes Oil-Based Topcoats

• Arm-R-Seal 
• Seal-A-Cell
• Gel Satin Topcoat
• Wood Bowl Finish
• Butcher Block Oil
• Outdoor Oil
• Hard Wax Oil 

GENERAL PRACTICE:

1. Oil-based topcoats and ENDURO-VAR II will amber over time.
2. All other water-based and High Performance top coats dry clear.
3. Never use any water-based topcoat with long oils such as Danish, Tung or Linseed.
4. Water-based top coats clean up with soap and water. Oil-based topcoats require mineral spirits for cleanup.
5. If you use water-based topcoats over oil-based finishes, make sure that you wait 72 hours between the two products. It is essential to let the oil finish dry longer.
6. For more complex projects with many details and corners or large surface areas such as cabinets, we recommend either ARM-R-SEAL liquid oil-based topcoats or water-based topcoats. Large surfaces such as cabinets or tables and complex projects with lots of detail are easier to cover with a liquid topcoat rather than a GEL SATIN topcoat.
7. Enduro Professional Topcoats are thinner and intended to be sprayed
8. HIGH PERFORMANCE can be brushed or sprayed. It can be thinned by adding 5-10% distilled water if needed. 

Compare all topcoats

Douglas Fir is a difficult wood to stain evenly. A 50|50 mix of your Exterior 450 stain color and Exterior 450 Clear would be a better choice for an exterior conditioner. Blotching may still occur even with this procedure.

After applying the conditioner mix, let it dry 2-3 hours. Allow more time in humid weather. Then a apply the stain color of your choice. Multiple coats will deepen the color.

Watch Exterior 450 Topcoat Overview Video Here

Watch Exterior 450 Stain Overview Video Here

Toning is the process of adding colorant, either dye or pigmented stain into a top coat and then applying over an entire piece in order to subtly deepen the color. All of our stains can be used: Stock base colors of RTM, Water-Based Wood Stains or Dye stains. If you are new to toning, we recommend starting with Dyes stains, which can be easier to use as they only contain dyes and no pigments. 

All of General Finishes water-based topcoats with the exception of Conversion Vanish can be tinted to create lightly colored finishes for toning.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TEST to your satisfaction before application to your entire project. 

• https://gf.video/How-To-Darken-Cabinets-By-Toning-Water-Based

There are limits anytime you add pigments or dyes to water-based topcoats. Toning should always be done in small increments to achieve the desired color. If you are starting with a light honey tone door and you want to create an Espresso color this will take multiple coats of color including base coat of stain followed by several toning coats. It is impossible to achieve a radical color change with just 1 coat of toner.

A good rule to follow when toning is starting with a minimal amount of stain or dye, 5-10% by volume. Some colors work better than others. Normally 1-2 ounces or stain per quart of clear topcoat is sufficient to create a toner. Always test color first and strain material through a fine mesh filter to remove any undissolved particle of pigment. Once you have achieved the desired color tone apply a clear topcoat to lock in the color. Toner made with water based wood stain should be used at point of use only. Do not store for extended periods of time. 

Most dyes, such as Trans Tint, can only be mixed with alcohol or water, not mineral spirits. A water-based finish, such as Exterior 450, cannot be used in conjunction with mineral spirits, even with an extended dry time. Solvents do not play well with water-based finishes.

Unfortunately, there is no fix for the peeling finish. You will have to sand the project down, apply an exterior stain and recoat with Exterior 450. Also, advise your customer that no finish will withstand the sun indefinitely. All exterior finishes need recoating and maintenance over time.

Yes, you can. The resin systems for General Finishes Exterior 450 Topcoat and Milk Paint are the same.

Watch Exterior 450 Topcoat product overview video here

Watch Milk Paint product video here

We recommend waiting 5-6 days to let the finish cure a bit before putting outdoors. The finish will continue to harden for approximately 20-21 days.

Watch Exterior 450 Topcoat Product Overview video here

Watch Exterior 450 Stain Product Overview video here

Renewable resources are a recent, eco-friendly advancement in the paint and coatings industry.

They are comprised of plant proteins such as corn; as well as conventional and innovative oils derived from plants such as Euphorbia lagascae, Vernonia galamensis from the sunflower family, and Calendula officinalis, aka marigold.

General Finishes products formulated with renewable resources meet the standard of excellence you have come to expect — including adhesion, coverage, color and durability — with all benefits of water finishes.

GF coatings made with Renewable Resources are: Enduro-Var II, Milk Paint, Water Based Wood Stain, Exterior 450 Stain and Wood Turner's Finish. Look for the green icon!

When comparing General Finishes Outdoor Oil and Exterior 450 outdoor water-based topcoat , there are several key differences to consider:

Application and Protection

Outdoor Oil:

• Penetrates into the wood fibers rather than forming a film on top
• Simpler and quicker to apply - can be sprayed, rolled or brushed on and wiped off
• Provides less overall protection compared to topcoats
• Requires more frequent reapplication, typically annually, dependent on environmental conditions
• Can be used on decks.

Exterior 450 Outdoor Topcoat:

• Forms a protective film layer on the wood surface
• More complex application process, often requiring multiple coats
• Offers superior protection against moisture and UV damage
• Not intended for large horizontal surfaces such as deck.
• Lasts longer before needing reapplication, typically 3-5 years dependent on environmental conditions

Appearance and Maintenance

Outdoor Oil:

• Enhances the natural look of the wood
• Easier to maintain - simply clean and reapply
• May darken the wood slightly

Exterior 450 Outdoor Topcoat:

• Can provide a range of sheens from matte to glossy
• Requires more effort to refinish - may need stripping and sanding

Durability and Longevity

Outdoor Oil:

• Less durable overall, but easy to reapply
• Typically lasts 1-2 years before needing reapplication

Exterior 450 Outdoor Topcoat:

• More durable and longer-lasting protection
• Can last 3-5 years or more with proper care
• Includes UV protection of the film (not the wood) and mildewicides to retard the growth of mold

Composition

Outdoor Oil:

• Contains UV inhibitors and mildewcides
• Organic oil

Exterior 450 Outdoor Topcoat:

• Water-based self-crosslinking polyurethane/acrylic. 
• Often includes UV protection and other additives for durability.

In summary, outdoor oils offer more a straightforward application and maintenance but less protection. In contrast, outdoor topcoats provide superior durability and protection at the cost of more complex application and refinishing processes. Their choice depends on the specific project requirements, desired appearance, and willingness to perform regular maintenance.