General Finishes Water Based High Performance Topcoat

High Performance is an all-purpose water-based topcoat finish for residential interior woodworking projects. With excellent all-around durability, it is designed for the DIY user or contractor who wants a professional-grade finish that is designed to be brushed, roller, or sprayed. High Performance is the best choice for high use areas such as table tops and kitchen cabinets. 

Recommended for interior cabinets, trim, doors, and furniture. Use over raw wood, stain, and non-white painted surfaces. Suitable for floors. 

Do NOT use High Performance or any other clear coat, over white or light paints such as Milk Paint or White Poly as it may cause yellowing. Any clear coat can become reactive over wood substrates or existing finishes causing tannin, stain or dye bleed-through. All of General Finishes' White Paints, brushable or spray versions, do NOT require a topcoat.

Don't forget your brushes and sandpaper!

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Specs

Product Color: Water White in can (dries clear)
Base Type: Water
Ambering: No
Sheen: Flat (10 or less), Satin (25-35), Semi-Gloss (50-60), Gloss (80+)
Interior or Exterior: Interior only
Tintable: Yes
Type: Urethane/Acrylic Blend
Coats: 3 coats
Application Method: Brush, Roll, Spray
Usable over existing finishes: Yes
Spray Tip Sizes: HVLP 1.1mm-1.3mm
Dry Time - Touch: 30+ min.
Dry Time - Recoat: 2+ hr
Dry Time - Light Use: 7-10 days
Dry Time - Cure: 21 days
Coverage: 65-75 sq.ft./pint, 125-150 sq.ft./quart, 500-600 sq.ft./gallon
Viscosity: Medium
Durability (Highest, High, Medium, Low): High

Preparation

Raw wood

• Sand no finer than 220 grit.
• Remove dust.

Sealed surface

• Scuff clean with a non-woven abrasive pad & 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol & water.
• Dry 1-2 hours.
• Sand lightly with 220-320-grit sanding sponge.
• Remove dust.

Newly stained surface

• Do not sand.
• Apply directly to the stained surface.

Directions

• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Stir thoroughly to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process.
• Test for adhesion.
• Thin as desired with distilled water; start with 5%, adding up to 10% by volume.
• Increase open time, if needed, with 10-15% 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. California Residents: Adding more than 2% of GF Extender will make the products non-compliant per SCAQMD Regulations. GF assumes no liability for the improper use of these products.
• Apply 2-3 coats of High Performance. More coats will not improve durability.
• Hand application: Apply a liberal amount of product using a synthetic bristle brush, foam brush, pad applicator, staining pad or roller such as Whizz or AllPro Velour brand. Avoid pressure and excessive back brushing. Brush along the wood grain using smooth, even strokes with light lap marks. Let lap marks dry - they WILL tighten down.
• Spray application: Before spraying, strain topcoat through a fine-mesh filter. Spray wet films at 3-5-mil thickness. HVLP: 1.1mm-1.3mm spray tip, medium air cap. Verify tip sizes with your equipment supplier. See our general guide for spray tip sizes. 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 respirator (NIOSH/MSHA-approved) and work in a ventilated space. Read here for more information on spraying techniques.
• Face frames and drawers on cabinets: High Performance can be successfully applied by hand to cabinet face frames or edges with a brush, pad or small, cabinet-specific roller such as Whizz or AllPro Velour brand.
• If a faster build is desired over raw wood, use General Finishes Sanding Sealer for the first coat, followed by 2 coats of High Performance Topcoat.
• Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion. Do not use steel wool.
• Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, an oil-free tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.

Mixing Sheens: You mix can High Performance Topcoat sheens to adjust your sheen. For example, you can mix High Performance Flat and High Performance Gloss to obtain a different sheen.

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

Video

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