General Finishes High Performance Topcoat, Satin, Pint

General Finishes High Performance is a water-based polyurethane topcoat for interior cabinets, trim, doors and furniture. It won Fine Woodworking's "Best Overall Choice Award," where it was voted the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane topcoat. Brush it, roll it or spray it. This pint is the Satin sheen, a handy size for a small piece, a set of shelves or touch-ups.

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

Specifications

How much do I need?

At about 62-75 sq ft per pint per coat, a 3-coat finish from one pint covers roughly 20-25 sq ft, and a 2-coat finish roughly 31-37 sq ft. For a dresser, a tabletop or several cabinet doors, step up to the Clear Satin Quart or the Clear Satin Gallon.

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 stains 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

Shop related

Need a different sheen? See the Clear Flat Gallon or shop all of General Finishes High Performance. Stain first with General Finishes Gel Stain, browse topcoats and clear finishes, or plan the job with the furniture refinishing project cart or the cabinet project cart.

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.