General Finishes Exterior 450 Clear Satin Quart

Exterior 450 Satin in a quart (GF part QXS)

A quart of Exterior 450 is sized for single outdoor pieces: an Adirondack chair, a cedar mailbox post, a bench, shutters or a front door. GF's own blog shows the kind of job it fits, a Furniture Medic restoration of an Adirondack chair built from early-1900s University of Michigan bleacher seats, finished in Exterior 450 Stain in Coffee Bean under clear Exterior 450 Topcoat. The clear is a flexible water-based acrylic/urethane film that moves with the wood, carries UV absorbers to keep the film from breaking down in sunlight, and contains mildewcide. The Satin sheen measures 30 on GF's scale.

Free shipping at $75, no code needed (lower 48 + DC). Unopened cans can be returned within 30 days with a prepaid label; opened paint can't (refund policy).

What one quart covers

Chair or door, start to finish

1. Raw wood: sand to 220 grit at most. Stained wood: let the stain dry completely first. Old finish: clean with a 50/50 denatured alcohol and water mix on a maroon pad, then scuff with 220-320.
2. Stir, then apply out of direct sun. GF's TDS names spraying as the recommended method; a synthetic bristle or foam brush, or a short-nap or foam roller, works where spraying isn't practical.
3. Touch-dry in 30 minutes; recoat after 2 hours at 70 F and 50% humidity.
4. Sand lightly between coats and remove dust; build at least three coats in all.
5. Full cure takes 21 days. Before then, keep the piece out of hard weather where you can.

Limits worth knowing

GF's chemist Ryan Denny notes that a finish protects itself, not the wood's color: the UV package keeps the film intact, but wood under it can still shift in sunlight. The product isn't meant for decks or white surfaces; for white, GF points to its white enamel. Keep it away from linseed and Danish oil finishes. Hands wash up with soap and water; clean spray gear with GF Brush & Gun Cleaner.

Larger job: Exterior 450 Satin Gallon.

Questions

Can I use an interior stain outside if I put Exterior 450 over it? General Finishes doesn't recommend it. Interior stains lack UV absorbers, mold retardants and HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers), and water-based interior stains are especially likely to fail. GF says you could try it on a door that gets little sun but should expect extra maintenance.

Can I buff Exterior 450 smoother after it cures? Yes. The TDS says buffing can be done after cure using wet/dry automotive sandpaper with GF Finishing Wax or mineral spirits as the lubricant. Do not use water.

What should I sand with between coats? The TDS calls for a fine 220-320 foam sanding pad or a gray non-woven pad, then dust removal before the next coat.

Exterior 450 Satin quart sources: the Exterior 450 technical data sheet, the GF Exterior 450 page, GF's interior-stain FAQ and its Adirondack chair post. More: protective finishes and topcoats.

Free standard shipping on orders $75+ to the lower 48 states and DC. Some large or heavy items are excluded at checkout.

30-day returns on unused, unopened items. Returns accepted within 30 days. We send you a prepaid return label. Contact us within 30 days of delivery to start a return. Opened paint, aerosols, flammables, special orders and sale items can't be returned. Read the full refund policy.