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