General Finishes Milk Paint, Clear Tint Base, Quart
General Finishes Milk Paint, Clear Tint Base, Quart is a water-based acrylic paint base for custom tinting. It is a starting point for a chosen paint color, rather than a ready-made opaque color or a clear protective topcoat. General Finishes' professional bases guide lists 150 sq ft per quart; final coverage depends on the tinted mixture and application.
Features
- A tintable base for matching paint-deck colors.
- Water-based acrylic formulation for furniture and cabinet projects.
- Manufacturer guidance for zero-VOC, water-soluble colorants.
- Brush, roller and spray application after tinting and testing.
- Soap-and-water tool cleanup immediately after use.
Best for
Custom-colored wood furniture, cabinets and crafts when a tested tint formula is available. Prepare the wood and test the complete tinted system before painting the project.
Specs
| Base | Water-based acrylic tint base |
|---|---|
| Use | Interior/exterior furniture and cabinet paint after tinting |
| Color | Clear Tint Base; final paint color comes from colorants |
| Coverage | Professional bases guide: 150 sq ft/quart |
| Dry to touch | 30 minutes or more |
| Recoat | 2 hours or more |
| Full cure | 21 days under ideal conditions |
| Coats | Apply enough coats for the tinted color's coverage |
| Apply with | Brush, roller or sprayer |
| Thinning | 5-10% distilled water if needed |
| Cleanup | Soap and water immediately after use |
| VOC | Consult the base and colorant data for the final mixture |
| Manufacturer part # | QCS |
How to apply
- Choose a manufacturer-supported tint formula. General Finishes recommends Colourfal Zero VOC colorants; test other zero-VOC systems at the point of use.
- Clean and sand the wood. Test color, adhesion and hiding with the tinted mixture.
- Ventilate, stir thoroughly and apply even coats. Strain before spraying and follow equipment and protection guidance. For spray setup and protection, follow the manufacturer's Milk Paint Bases application instructions.
- Let coats dry at least 2 hours in ideal conditions. Allow longer when cool or humid, sand lightly when dry, remove dust and recoat.
- Protect the finish through its 21-day cure.
Good to know
Do not clear-topcoat a white or light tinted finish because it can yellow. Avoid linseed and Danish oils. Test other colorant systems thoroughly; the manufacturer does not promise their in-can stability.
Danger: May cause cancer. Read the matching Clear Base label and SDS, ventilate and use the specified protection.
Questions
Is Clear Tint Base a clear topcoat? No. It is a paint base intended for adding colorants.
Can I use any colorant? Follow the manufacturer's recommended system. Other zero-VOC systems require testing at the point of use.
Will the untinted base hide the old color? Do not treat it as a finished opaque paint; assess hiding after tinting.
When is the painted piece fully cured? The bases guide gives 21 days under ideal conditions.