General Finishes Glaze Effects are translucent water-based colors for decorative finishes such as color washing, antiquing, marbling, shabby chic and burnishing. You brush or wipe the glaze on over a sealed painted or stained surface, wipe off the excess, and the color settles into corners, grain and detail. The colors can be intermixed for custom shades or layered for a deeper look, and Clear Base lightens any of them. Everything on this page comes from General Finishes' product page and technical data sheet. Orders of $35 or more ship free by standard shipping to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC.
Glaze Effects colors and sizes
| Color |
Sizes here |
| Van Dyke Brown |
Pint, Quart
|
| Burnt Umber |
Quart |
| Pitch Black |
Pint, Quart
|
| Smokey Gray |
Pint |
| Winter White |
Quart |
| Clear Base (no color; the base General Finishes uses to make Glaze Effects) |
Pint, Quart
|
How Glaze Effects goes on
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Surface: not for raw wood. Apply over a sealed surface such as General Finishes Milk Paint or a topcoat. Scuff a newly sealed surface with a 220 to 320 grit foam sanding sponge; clean an existing finish first with a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water.
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How much color: for less color and more control, put one coat of High Performance Topcoat (any sheen) down before you glaze. For deeper color, glaze directly over the paint or stain.
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Apply: stir well, then apply with a synthetic bristle brush, foam brush, pad or microfiber roller and wipe off the excess with a cloth or absorbent paper towel (General Finishes says not to use t-shirts). It can also be sprayed with HVLP, 1.3 to 2.0 mm tip.
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Thin or lighten: thin with distilled water, starting at 5 percent and up to 10 percent by volume. To lighten a color, mix in Clear Base.
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Dry: touch 30+ minutes. General Finishes' instructions say to allow 3+ hours between coats and before a GF water-based topcoat, and 24+ hours before an oil-based product, at 70°F and 50 percent humidity.
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Seal it: a topcoat is required. General Finishes says to use 3 coats of clear topcoat in total; if you put one coat down before glazing, add at least 2 more over the glaze. It names High Performance for low to high wear and Flat Out Flat for low to medium wear.
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Cure and cleanup: full cure in 21 days. Clean tools with soap and water.
Specs
| Spec |
Glaze Effects (General Finishes data) |
| Type |
Water-based glaze, interior use |
| Coverage |
60 to 80 sq ft per pint, 120 to 160 sq ft per quart |
| Weight solids |
22 percent |
| VOC (US) |
Burnt Umber under 294 g/L, Pitch Black under 304 g/L, Smokey Gray under 269 g/L, Van Dyke Brown under 275 g/L, Winter White under 274 g/L |
| Air quality |
Complies with SCAQMD, CARB, Canada and OTC Phase I and II rules, per the TDS |
| Cleanup |
Soap and water, or GF Brush and Gun Cleaner |
FAQ
Do I need a topcoat over Glaze Effects?
Yes. General Finishes always seals Glaze Effects with clear topcoat, 3 coats in total, so the color doesn't wear away.
Can I put Glaze Effects on raw wood?
General Finishes does not recommend it. Seal the wood first with paint, stain plus topcoat, or a coat of High Performance.
Can I mix Glaze Effects with stain?
No. General Finishes says not to mix Glaze Effects with its Water Based Wood Stain, including the pre-stain natural. You can apply glaze over a sealed stain, and Clear Base can be mixed with GF water-based paints to make your own glaze color.
Can I use it with oil finishes?
Let oil-based products dry 72+ hours before a water-based product goes over them, and let Glaze Effects dry 24+ hours before an oil-based product goes on top. General Finishes also warns not to use its water-based products with linseed or Danish oils.
More from the brand: all General Finishes finishes.
