Arm-R-Seal is General Finishes' oil-based wipe-on urethane, built for interior furniture, tables, and cabinetry where you want a durable film finish without the drips and dust-nib fights of a brushed varnish. It penetrates the wood before building a hard, amber-toned film, so it's not a fit over anything you need to keep light or white.
It comes in Satin (25-35 gloss units), Semi-Gloss (50-60), and Gloss (80+), and one quart covers roughly 100-125 sq ft per coat. Plan on up to three coats: it's touch-dry in about 12 hours, but needs 24 hours between coats on raw or freshly stained wood and 72 hours if you're going over an already-sealed surface. The piece is ready for light use in 7-10 days and fully cured in about 30. Apply with a brush, cloth, foam brush, or staining pad, and clean up with mineral spirits.
- Oil-based wipe-on urethane, interior use only
- Sheens: Satin, Semi-Gloss, Gloss
- Coverage: about 100-125 sq ft per quart per coat
- Touch-dry in 12+ hours; recoat in 24+ hours (raw/stained) or 72+ hours (sealed)
- Up to 3 coats recommended; full cure in about 30 days
- Cleanup with mineral spirits
Specifications
| Type | Urethane |
|---|---|
| Base | Oil |
| Interior / exterior | Interior only |
| Sheens | Satin (25-35), Semi-Gloss (50-60), Gloss (80+) |
| Color | Dries Amber |
| Ambers (yellows) | Yes |
| Apply with | Brush, Roll |
| Coats | 3 coats |
| Dry to touch | 12+ hours |
| Recoat after | 24+ hours |
| Light use after | 7-10 days |
| Full cure | 30 days |
| Coverage | 50-60 sq ft/pint, 100-125 sq ft/quart, 400-500 sq ft/gallon |
| Durability | Highest |
| Over an existing finish | Yes |
| Tintable | No |
| VOC | Gloss: < 528 g/L Satin: < 576.788 g/L Semi-Gloss: < 575 g/L |
Questions & answers
How long does Arm-R-Seal take to dry?
Dry to the touch in 12+ hours, ready for the next coat after 24+ hours, light use after 7-10 days, and fully cured at 30 days.
Will Arm-R-Seal yellow the wood?
Yes. It is an oil-based urethane, so it adds a warm amber tone. If you want a finish that stays clear, look at a water-based topcoat such as General Finishes High Performance.
Can I spray Arm-R-Seal?
It can be sprayed, but it is made to be put on by hand (wiped, brushed or rolled), and spraying makes it easy to lay down too much in one spot. If you do spray, keep the coats very thin and wipe or brush out any run right away, while it is still wet.
Does Arm-R-Seal need thinning?
Usually not; it is already thin. If you do thin it, use mineral spirits and stay at 10% or less, because more than that cuts the solids too far.
Can I use it on a butcher block or cutting board?
On a butcher-block top that is mainly for looks, yes. On a surface where you cut or prepare food, use General Finishes Butcher Block Oil instead. Neither one is meant for standing water or constant wetting.
Why did the leftover finish thicken in the can?
Oil-based finishes start to harden as soon as they meet air, and a partly used can is full of air. Pour out only what you need and close the can right away, wipe the rim clean so the lid seals tight, store the sealed can upside down, and move leftovers into a smaller container when the project is done.
Specifications from General Finishes.