General Finishes Pre-Stain Conditioner, Natural, Quart
General Finishes Water-Based Pre-Stain Conditioner Natural, Quart, controls stain absorption on raw indoor wood. This quart can covers about 100–150 sq ft, depending on the wood and application. Use it before a separate water-based stain to reduce blotching; test your full finishing process because conditioning can lighten the final color.
Features
- Helps control uneven absorption on hard-to-stain raw wood.
- Colorless formula prepares the surface for a water-based stain.
- Useful on woods such as maple, pine and cherry.
- Water-based tools clean up promptly with soap and water.
Best for
Raw indoor wood furniture, cabinets, doors and trim before applying GF water-based stain. Natural is the clear pre-stain formula, not a pigmented Natural Oak color. Test the complete conditioner, stain and topcoat process on your wood.
Specs
| Color / size | Natural / Quart |
|---|---|
| Base / use | Water-based wood conditioner / interior raw wood |
| Coverage | About 100–150 sq ft per can |
| Touch dry | 10 minutes or longer |
| Stain interval / full cure | Detailed directions: 20–30 minutes; specification table: 30 minutes or longer / no full-cure duration stated |
| Coats | 1 conditioner coat before water-based stain |
| Apply with | Synthetic-bristle or foam brush, pad, roller or spray |
| Thinning | Distilled water if needed: start at 5%, up to 10% by volume |
| Cleanup | Soap and water or GF Brush & Gun Cleaner, immediately |
| VOC | Under 215 g/L, Natural/Pre-Stain Conditioner SDS revised February 2, 2024 |
| Manufacturer part # | WNQT |
How to apply
- Sand open-grain wood through 120, 150 and 180 grit; closed-grain wood with 150 then 220 grit. Remove dust. Do not use steel wool with water-based finishes. To reduce grain raise, dampen after sanding, dry fully and lightly sand with a 220–320 foam pad.
- Ventilate and stir before and throughout use. Test the entire finishing process. Work in manageable sections, applying a liberal coat with a brush, pad or roller.
- Wipe excess evenly along the grain with absorbent paper or shop towels. Detailed instructions say to let conditioner dry 20 minutes but no more than 30 before GF water-based stain in ideal conditions, about 70°F and 50–70% humidity.
- Apply your tested stain and follow its own application and topcoat directions. The conditioner specification table separately lists 30 minutes or more before stain. Check the current can instructions; confirm with GF if conditions or directions conflict before starting.
Good to know
Conditioning limits color absorption, so your desired depth may require a darker stain. It does not eliminate wood variation. Do not use over an existing finish, outdoors, or with linseed or Danish oils. Use Extender only under the manufacturer’s locally permitted instructions. The exact SDS lists no signal word and identifies the mixture as not classified; the product page includes eye-irritation precautions and a California Proposition 65 cancer/reproductive-harm warning. Read the can label and matching Natural safety sheet; follow handling and local disposal rules.
Questions
Will Natural add stain color? No. It is a colorless preparation step before a separate stain.
Will my stain become lighter? Reduced absorption can make the result lighter; test a darker stain if needed.
Can I use it on a finished cabinet? No. The manufacturer limits this conditioner to raw wood.