Enduro Water Based Deep Base Undercoat

We recommend using Colourfal Zero VOC colorants. Other colorant systems should be zero VOC, incorporated at the point of use, and tested thoroughly for performance before application. General Finishes will not be liable for in-can stability when other colorants are used.

All wood projects require preparation sanding, and all existing finishes require prep cleaning and sanding. If you skip this critical step, your finish may fail.

Preparation for Raw Wood
See our video: How to Prep Sand Raw Wood

1. Sand with 120-grit sandpaper followed by 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.
2. Remove dust with a water-dampened rag or oil-free tack cloth.
3. Let dry completely before applying GF product.
4. Do not over-sand with fine-grit sandpapers; this will close and seal the wood grain, preventing ideal color absorption.
5. Do NOT use steel wool with water-based finishes; the particles will get trapped in the finish and rust.

Preparation for Sealed Surface

See our video: How to Prep Existing Finishes

1. Scuff clean with a Scotch-Brite™ pad or maroon synthetic steel wool & 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol & water. 
2. Dry 1-2 hours. 
3. Sand lightly with 220-320-grit foam sanding sponge. 
4. Remove dust.

Enduro Deep Base Undercoat can be brushed, rolled or sprayed and applied over raw wood, MDF, existing finishes. Perfect for using as an undercoat for darker-colored pigmented topcoats and paints. It acts as a physical barrier rather than a chemical barrier. For priming darker colors, Use Enduro White Undercoat. For woods that exhibit tannin bleed-through, use General Finishes Stain Blocker. 

Join the Enduro Wood Coating Pros Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/endurowoodcoatingpros for customer support and learning opportunities specifically for General Finishes Pro line of Enduro products. This group is a great resource for guidance regarding choosing the right product, mastering finishing techniques, troubleshooting, or sharing your finished projects with other pros.

Download 2024 Professional Water Based Product Catalog here.

Application Steps 

1. Product overview video coming soon.
2. Work in a well-ventilated area. 
3. Stir General Finishes Enduro Deep Base Undercoat thoroughly to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process.
4. Test for adhesion over existing sealed surfaces. 
5. Thin as desired with distilled water; start with 5%, adding up to 10% by volume. 
6. Increase open time, if needed, with 10-15% by volume of General Finishes Extender, if allowed by local regulations. GF Extender will improve flow and leveling and increase open time, which is helpful in dry climates. 
7. Ready to spray from the container. Apply 1-2 coats, depending on the substrate, the amount applied, and the application method. If you apply 1 light coat you can sand through, add another coat. If you apply 1 solid first coat and sand lightly, then you only need one.
   • Spray application: Before spraying, strain through a medium-mesh filter. Spray wet films at 3-5-mil thickness. Medium air cap. Fluid tip sizes: Compressed air: .040, HVLP: .072 or Airless: .011-.013. medium air cap. Verify tip sizes with your equipment supplier. See our spray tip size recommendations here. Keep your gun at a 90° angle, 6-8" from the surface. On large, flat areas, use wet, even patterns 6-8" wide. For narrow surfaces, reduce the fan pattern to 2-3" wide to reduce overspray. Overlap each pass 25% to conceal lines. Wear a full filter (NIOSH/MSHA approved) respiratory & eye protection and work in a ventilated space. Read here for more information on spraying techniques.
   • Face frames on cabinets: Enduro professional products are engineered to be spray-only but can be applied successfully to cabinet face frames, edges, or drawer fronts with a brush, staining pad, or small cabinet-specific 3/8" nap microfiber roller such as Whizz or AllPro brand. Larger areas may not level with hand application.
8. If a faster build is desired over raw wood, use General Finishes Sanding Sealer for the first coat.
9. Dry time based on ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C; 50% humidity. To touch: 30 minutes. Re-coat: 1+ hours. Inadequate dry time is one of the top reasons for product failure. Dry times are dependent on application method and environmental conditions. 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. If in doubt, wait longer. Increase dry time if:
   • Humidity is over 80%
   • 3+ coats are applied
   • Thick coats are applied
   • Applying over an existing sealed finish
   • 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 General Finishes Accelerator and work in a space with good ventilation and air movement. If you decide to re-coat before the recommended time, test dryness.
10. Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion.
11. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, an oil-free tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.

Tinting
We recommend using Colourfal Zero VOC colorants. Other colorant systems should be zero VOC, incorporated at the point of use, and tested thoroughly for performance before application. General Finishes will not be liable for in-can stability when other colorants are used.

Cure Time
Not applicable

Warning: Do not use water-based products with Linseed Oils or Danish Oils.

Dry Time Based on ideal conditions of 70°F 21°C; 50% humidity.  

To touch: 30+ minutes

Recoat: 1+ hours

Be sure to allow adequate dry time. Dry times are dependent on application method and environmental conditions. 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. If in doubt, wait longer. Rushing the dry time can cause "blush," which is clouding in the finish due to moisture trapped between the layers.

Increase dry time if:

• Humidity is over 80%
• Temperatures are cooler.
• 3+ coats are applied
• Thick coats are applied
• Applying over an existing sealed finish
• Applying over products from other brands
• 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 General Finishes Accelerator and work in a space with good ventilation and air movement. If you decide to re-coat before the recommended time, test dryness.

Application tools and materials containing water-based products can be cleaned with soap and water or General Finishes Brush & Gun Cleaner immediately after use.

Product Spills

Spills may be able to be removed from fabric and carpet if cleaned immediately with soap and water.

Disposal

Discard unused product and waste in an environmentally safe manner; check with local fire and health regulation. 

Life of Product

General Finishes products do not last forever, even when unopened. They are best used within 1 year. The life of the product may be extended with proper can closure and storage conditions. (see Storage Tips below).

Water-based products can last 3-5 years if the can is unopened, in good condition and stored in correct temperatures.

Product that is 3 years old will not look like product that is 6 months to 1 year old. You will see more stratification or separation as the product ages. Settling is natural. Always stir thoroughly before using.

Foul Smell

If your product has a foul smell, it is contaminated and no longer in useable condition.

Clumps & Settling

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 product stir with a paint mixing attachment on a drill.

If the solids dissolve and clumps smooth out after mixing from the bottom, the product is in good condition for use.

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.

Storage Tips

See video tutorial: Tips on Storing Leftover Finishes
Water-based finishes crystalize and form a skin due to evaporation when the air-tight seal on a can is broken at first use. The following best practices will increase the life of your product:

1. Pry open sealed lids with a paint can opener by hooking under the lid's rolled edge. The use of a screwdriver can disfigure the rim and lid, impairing a complete seal. 
2. Keep lid closed while working. Pour what you will use into a bowl, paper cup, or plate, and close can lid as you work.
3. Clean the chime of the can thoroughly with a paper towel before closing to create a complete seal. Product falling into the chime can be minimized by using a pouring lid, such as Fitsall. Avoid wiping used brushes on the lid.
4. Pound the lid in place using a rubber mallet to avoid distorting the chime or lid. Dents in the lid from direct contact with a hammer can impair a complete seal. Alternatively, place a flat piece of wood over can lid and firmly pound shut.
5. Store in moderate temperatures. Avoid temperatures below 50°F/10°C or above 100°F/26°C. Keep from freezing. Frozen and heat-damaged product cannot be revitalized. Temperature-controlled spaces, such as a basement, are ideal for storage. Do not store product in an attic, garage, in direct sunlight, or next to something warm like a water heater or furnace.
6. Store can upside down to create a liquid seal, minimize evaporation and reduce the chance of crystallization. Decant remaining product from the can before stirring. 
7. Decant leftovers to a smaller container when the finish is almost used up. Alternative storage containers for water-based products are plastic FIFO bottles or glass bottles. Do not fill metal-lidded containers completely to prevent them from rusting.

The following water-based product mixtures can be stored:

1. Product thinned with up to 15% General Finishes Extender or General Finishes Accelerator can be stored, with the exception of thinned General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain.
2. Mixtures involving colors & sheens within the same product line, such as:
   • High Performance Satin + High Performance Gloss
   • Snow White Milk Paint + Coastal Blue Milk Paint
   • Amber Dye Stain + Merlot Dye Stain

The following product mixtures should NOT be stored:

• Any water based product with thinned tap water; water often contains bacteria that will adversely affect stored paint.
• Topcoat + Stain or Paint
• Milk Paint + Chalk Style Paint
• Water Based Wood Stain + Dye Stain

Compatibility
Do not use water-based products with Linseed Oils or Danish Oils.
 

Limited Warranty
General Finishes products must be tested to your complete satisfaction before using. General Finishes will not be responsible for color satisfaction, misapplication, nor compatibility with other manufacturers' products. General Finishes will be responsible only for the cost of our products, and not for costs such as labor, damage or project replacement. 

Contamination and Compatibility
Our finishes are engineered as a system and are compatible with each other. 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. Test for adherence and aesthetics before beginning. 

Warning
If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log onto www.epa.gov/lead.

FIRST AID:
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur due to the following. EYE CONTACT: Remove any contact lenses. Flush eyes with water for 20+ minutes while lifting upper and lower eyelids. SKIN CONTACT: Wash thoroughly after handling. INHALATION: Move to fresh air and loosen clothing. If not breathing, if breathing is irregular or if respiratory arrest occurs, provide artificial respiration or oxygen by trained personnel. INGESTION: Call physician immediately. Wash out mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 

Warning
This product contains a chemical known to the State Of California to cause cancer and birth defects. Do not swallow; first aid: drink water to dilute product. May cause eye or skin irritation; first aid: flush eyes thoroughly with water.

Warning
Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Wash thoroughly after handling.

PERSONAL PROTECTION DURING USE:

Hand protection
Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn when handling chemical products if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Considering the parameters specified by the glove manufacturer, check during use that the gloves still retain their protective properties. It should be noted that the time to breakthrough for any glove material may differ for different manufacturers. In the case of mixtures, consisting of several substances, the protection time of the gloves cannot be accurately estimated.

Eye protection: Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard should be used when a risk assessment indicates this is necessary to avoid exposure to liquid splashes, mists, gases, or dust. If contact is possible, the following protection should be worn unless the assessment indicates a higher degree of protection: safety glasses with side shields.

Respiratory protection:
Based on the hazard and potential for exposure, select a respirator that meets the appropriate standard or certification. Respirators must be used according to a respiratory protection program to ensure proper fitting, training, and other important use aspects.

Body protection Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the amount and repetition of exposure. It should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.

Environmental exposure controls:
Emissions from ventilation or work process equipment should be checked to ensure they comply with the requirements of environmental protection legislation.

Appropriate engineering controls:
Good general ventilation should be sufficient to control worker exposure to airborne contaminants.

Hygiene measures: 
Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling chemical products, before eating, smoking, and using the lavatory, and at the end of the working period. Appropriate techniques should be used to remove potentially contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are close to the workstation location.
 

Other skin protection: Appropriate footwear and any additional skin protection measures should be selected based on the task being performed.