Gel Topcoat is General Finishes' oil-and-urethane gel finish, thick enough to apply with a cloth or applicator pad without runs or drips — a good match for vertical surfaces and carved or turned work where a liquid wipe-on wants to sag. It's built to go over any stain, including General Finishes' own oil-based gel stains, and carries a higher urethane content than the stains for added protection.
It's sold in Satin only and covers about 100-150 sq ft per quart per coat. Expect it to be touch-dry in about 8 hours, with 24 hours between coats on raw or freshly stained wood and 72 hours over an already-sealed surface. The piece is ready for light use in 7-10 days and fully cured in about 30. Clean up with mineral spirits or a waterless hand cleaner. It's for interior use only and, like other oil-based finishes in the line, ambers slightly as it ages.
- Oil-based urethane gel topcoat, Satin sheen, interior use
- Coverage: about 100-150 sq ft per quart per coat
- Touch-dry in 8+ hours; recoat in 24+ hours (raw/stained) or 72+ hours (sealed)
- Full cure in about 30 days
- Applies by cloth or pad — no brush needed
- Cleanup with mineral spirits
Specifications
| Type | Oil & Urethane |
|---|---|
| Base | Oil |
| Interior / exterior | Interior only |
| Sheens | Satin (25-35) |
| Color | Dries Amber |
| Ambers (yellows) | Yes |
| Apply with | Brush, Roll |
| Coats | 3 coats |
| Dry to touch | 8+ hours |
| Recoat after | 24+ hours |
| Light use after | 7-10 days |
| Full cure | 30 days |
| Coverage | 25-40 sq ft/half pint, 50-75 sq ft/pint, 100-150 sq ft/quart, 400-600 sq ft/gallon |
| Durability | Highest |
| Over an existing finish | Yes |
| Tintable | No |
| VOC | <550 g/L |
Questions & answers
Will Gel Topcoat yellow the wood?
Yes. It is an oil and urethane finish that dries amber.
How long between coats, and when can I use it?
Dry to the touch in 8+ hours, ready to recoat after 24+ hours, light use after 7-10 days, and fully cured at 30 days. Plan on 3 coats.
How do I apply it?
Brush or roll. It is thick and is not made for spraying.
How can I lower the sheen?
Once the finish has cured, rub it down using General Finishes Orange Oil on 0000 steel wool. Never use steel wool on water-based finishes; bits can stay in the finish and rust.
Why did my topcoat turn hazy over Gel Stain?
Haze (blush) comes from coats put on too fast, especially over an existing finish, where 12 hours between coats is not enough. Wipe the area with a strong solvent such as xylene or lacquer thinner, or sand the haze out and recoat.
Specifications from General Finishes.