General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain is a fast, low-odor alternative to oil stains for interior furniture and cabinetry. It's formulated thicker than a typical water-based stain so it penetrates evenly and resists the blotching that softer woods like pine, maple, and aspen are prone to. It's sold in 24 colors and can go over raw wood or, with the right prep, over an existing finish.
One quart covers roughly 100-150 sq ft per coat. It's dry to the touch in about 30 minutes on raw wood (an hour over an existing finish) and ready to recoat in 2 hours under normal shop conditions. One coat is usually enough; a second deepens the color, and more than two isn't recommended. Because it's a stain rather than a finish, plan on topcoating with 2-3 coats of a General Finishes water-based topcoat for durability. Clean up with soap and water or General Finishes Brush & Gun Cleaner.
- Water-based interior wood stain, 24 colors
- Coverage: about 100-150 sq ft per quart per coat
- Dry to touch in 30+ minutes; recoat in 2+ hours
- 1-2 coats recommended
- Requires a topcoat — this is a stain, not a finish
- Cleanup with soap and water
Specifications
| Type | Water Based Stain |
|---|---|
| Base | Water |
| Interior / exterior | Interior only |
| Color | Antique Brown, Antique Oak, Black, Black Cherry, Brown Mahogany, Cabernet, Espresso, Graystone, Graphite, Hickory, Natural, Onyx, Pecan, Provincial, Sedona, Tobacco, Walnut, Whitewash, Washed Gray, Golden Oak, Red Mahogany, Natural Oak, Driftwood, Tumbleweed |
| Apply with | Brush, Roll, Spray, Pad |
| Spray tip | HVLP 1.1mm-1.3mm |
| Coats | 1+ coats |
| Dry to touch | Raw Wood (30+ minutes), Existing Finish (1+ hours) |
| Recoat after | 2+ hours |
| Coverage | 50-75 sq ft/pint, 100-150 sq ft/quart, 400-600 sq ft/gallon |
| Over an existing finish | Yes - see product page application instructions. |
| VOC | Antique Brown: <125 g/L Antique Oak: <185 g/L Black: <160 g/L Black Cherry: <165 g/L Brown Mahogany: <160 g/L Cabernet: <145 g/L Espresso: <160 g/L Graystone: <135 g/L Graphite: <135 g/L Hickory: <165 g/L Onyx: <150 g/L Pecan: <150 g/L Provincial: <165 g/L Sedona: <165 g/L Tobacco: <145 g/L Walnut: <195 g/L Whitewash: <150 g/L |
Questions & answers
Does it need a topcoat?
Yes. The stain gives the color; a topcoat protects it.
Can I thin it?
Yes, with distilled water: start with 5% and go up to 10%. For more working time, add up to 5% General Finishes Extender. In California, more than 2% Extender takes the stain out of compliance with SCAQMD rules.
Can I turn it into a glaze?
Yes. Mix in 10% General Finishes High Performance Topcoat.
Will it work on maple?
Yes, it usually does well on maple used on its own, without a conditioner. Sand with 120 grit, then 150 or 220.
Can I use it outdoors?
Not recommended, even under an exterior topcoat. Interior stains lack the UV absorbers, mildew retardants and light stabilizers that exterior products have.
How long between coats?
Dry to the touch in 30+ minutes on raw wood (1+ hour over an existing finish) and ready to recoat after 2+ hours. Allow 24 hours if it goes over an oil-based product. It will not take on green (still-wet) wood.
Specifications from General Finishes.