General Finishes High Performance Topcoat, Satin, Gallon

General Finishes High Performance Topcoat, Satin, gallon (GF item GAHS, UPC 606016100606). Available to order now at Project Weekend DIY.

Quick facts

• Brand: General Finishes
• Product line: High Performance Topcoat (water-based polyurethane)
• Sheen: Satin (25 to 35 on GF's sheen scale)
• Size: 1 gallon
• GF item code: GAHS
• UPC: 606016100606
• Price: $106.99 at Project Weekend DIY, ships free (order is over $75, lower 48 + DC), so $106.99 delivered. One can, no case minimum.
• Base: Water-based acrylic/urethane blend
• Use: Interior only: cabinets, trim, doors and furniture
• Dry time: 30 minutes to touch, 2 hours to recoat, 21 days to full cure at 70°F and 50% humidity (GF data sheet)
• Coverage: Up to 600 sq ft per gallon (GF data sheet)
• Ship time: Orders usually ship in 2 to 4 business days, then standard delivery takes 3 to 7 business days, so plan on about 1 to 2 weeks.
• Shipping cost: Free shipping at $75 or more (lower 48 + DC), so this gallon qualifies on its own.
• Returns: Free 30-day returns with a prepaid label on unused, unopened items

General Finishes High Performance is a water-based polyurethane topcoat for interior cabinets, trim, doors and furniture. It dries clear and does not amber, and you can brush, roll or spray it. This 1 gallon can of Satin (25 to 35 sheen) covers 500 to 600 sq ft, with 2 to 3 coats recommended. Fine Woodworking voted it the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane topcoat and gave it its Best Overall Choice Award.

Buy one can, no case minimum. Free shipping at $75, no code needed (lower 48 + DC); some items are excluded at checkout. Free 30-day returns with a prepaid label: unused, unopened items can be returned within 30 days of receiving them; opened paint, aerosols and flammable liquids can't be returned. See our shipping policy and refund policy.

Satin measures 25 to 35 on the sheen scale. General Finishes notes that Flat, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss High Performance can be mixed with each other to adjust the sheen, but Dead Flat cannot.

Highlights

• Water white in the can, dries clear, and does not amber
• Use over raw wood, stain, and non-white painted surfaces
• Self-sealing, and usable over existing finishes with proper prep
• Soap and water cleanup for hands
• Manufacturer part number: GAHS

Specifications

• Type: water-based urethane/acrylic blend, interior only
• Sheen: Satin (25 to 35 sheen)
• Size: 1 gallon
• Coverage: 500 to 600 sq ft per gallon
• Recommended coats: 2 to 3
• Dry to touch: 30+ minutes. Recoat: 2+ hours. Light use: 7 to 10 days. Full cure: 21 days (at 70 degrees F and 50% humidity)
• VOC: under 175 g/L
• Solids: 24% by volume, 26% by weight
• Apply with: synthetic bristle brush, foam brush, pad, roller, or HVLP sprayer (1.1 to 1.3 mm tip)
• Thin with: distilled water, starting at 5% and up to 10% by volume

How much do I need?

At 500 to 600 sq ft per gallon per coat, a 3-coat finish from one gallon covers roughly 165 to 200 sq ft. A 2-coat finish covers roughly 250 to 300 sq ft.

How to apply

1. Raw wood: sand no finer than 220 grit and remove the dust. Freshly stained wood: do not sand, apply once the stain is dry (let oil-based products dry 72+ hours first).
2. Previously finished wood: scuff clean with a non-woven pad and a 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and water, let dry 1 to 2 hours, then sand lightly with a 220 to 320 grit sponge.
3. Stir thoroughly before and during use. Apply a liberal coat along the grain with smooth, even strokes, avoiding pressure and excess back brushing.
4. Sand between coats with a fine 220 to 320 grit pad and remove dust. Do not use steel wool. Apply 2 to 3 coats; more than 3 will not improve durability.

Good to know

• General Finishes advises against using any clear coat, including this one, over white or light paints such as GF Milk Paint, because it may cause yellowing
• Do not use water-based products with linseed oils or Danish oils
• Test for adhesion and appearance before starting the full project

Need a smaller size or a different sheen? See the Clear Satin Quart, Clear Satin Pint, Clear Flat Gallon, and Dead Flat Gallon, or shop all protective finishes and topcoats and the furniture refinishing project cart.

Common questions

What is the price of a General Finishes High Performance Topcoat Satin gallon? Project Weekend DIY sells the General Finishes High Performance Topcoat, Satin, 1 gallon (GF item GAHS, UPC 606016100606) for $106.99, one can with no case minimum. The gallon alone clears our $75 free-shipping line (lower 48 + DC).

How long does the gallon take to arrive? Orders usually ship in 2 to 4 business days, then standard delivery takes 3 to 7 business days, so plan on about 1 to 2 weeks.

Will it yellow? It is water white in the can, dries clear and does not amber. GF still advises against any clear coat over white or light paints, because it may cause yellowing.

How many coats, and how long between them? 2 to 3 coats; more than 3 won't improve durability. Recoat after 2+ hours at 70°F and 50% humidity; full cure takes 21 days.

Can I return it? Yes. Unused, unopened cans can be returned within 30 days, and we send a free prepaid return label. Opened paint can't be returned.

Complete the finish: GF suggests 2-3 coats of High Performance over darker GF Milk Paint colors and over Glaze Effects, which always needs a topcoat. This gallon on its own clears our $75 free-shipping line. GF caution, from its Milk Paint page: “Do NOT use any type of clear topcoat over white or light GF Milk Paint Colors, as it may cause yellowing when used over wood substrates.”

Sealing a black glaze? See General Finishes Glaze Effects, Pitch Black, Quart.

Topcoating a glaze? GF says Glaze Effects always needs a clear topcoat: General Finishes Glaze Effects, Van Dyke Brown, Pint.

GF suggests 2-3 coats of High Performance over darker Milk Paint colors such as General Finishes Milk Paint Lamp Black Quart.

See every sheen and size of General Finishes High Performance topcoat.

Data sheets: High Performance technical data sheet (Dec 2021); High Performance Satin safety data sheet.

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.