Surface Preparation

All wood projects require preparation sanding. If you skip this critical step, your finish may fail.

Raw wood

See our video: How To Prep Sand New Wood

1. Sand with 120-grit sandpaper followed by 150- or 220-grit sandpaper.
2. Remove dust with a water-dampened rag or oil-free tack cloth.
3. Let dry completely before applying GF product.
4. Do not over-sand with fine-grit sandpapers; this will close and seal the wood grain, preventing ideal color absorption.
5. Do NOT use steel wool with water-based finishes; the particles will get trapped in the finish and rust.

Sealed Surface

See our video: How to Prepare Existing Finishes

1. Scuff clean with a Scotch-Brite™ pad or maroon synthetic steel wool & 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol & water.
2. Dry 1-2 hours.
3. Sand lightly with 220-320-grit foam sanding sponge.
4. Remove Dust

General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat Application Steps

General Finishes White Undercoat is a spray only product that can be applied over raw wood MDF, existing finishes and as an undercoat for White Poly and light-colored paints. It acts as a physical barrier rather than a chemical barrier. For woods that exhibit tannin bleed-through, we recommend General Finishes Stain Blocker.

1. Watch product overview video here.
2. Work in a well-ventilated area.
3. Stir General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat thoroughly to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process.
4. Test for adhesion over existing sealed surfaces.
5. Thin as desired with distilled water; start with 5%, adding up to 10% by volume.
6. Increase open time, if needed, with 10-15% by volume of General Finishes Extender, if allowed by local regulations. GF Extender will improve flow and leveling and increase open time, which is helpful in dry climates.
7. Ready to spray from the container. Apply 1-2 coats, depending on the substrate, the amount applied, and the application method. If you apply 1 light coat you can sand through, add another coat. If you apply 1 solid first coat and sand lightly, then you only need one.
   Spray application: Before spraying, strain through a medium-mesh filter. Spray wet films at 3-5-mil thickness. Medium air cap. Fluid tip sizes: Compressed air: .040, HVLP: .072 or Airless: .011-.013. medium air cap. Verify tip sizes with your equipment supplier. See our spray tip size recommendations here. Keep your gun at a 90° angle, 6-8" from the surface. On large, flat areas, use wet, even patterns 6-8" wide. For narrow surfaces, reduce the fan pattern to 2-3" wide to reduce overspray. Overlap each pass 25% to conceal lines. Wear a full filter (NIOSH/MSHA approved) respiratory & eye protection and work in a ventilated space. Read here for more information on spraying techniques.
   Face frames on cabinets: Enduro professional products are engineered to be spray-only but can be applied successfully to cabinet face frames, edges or drawer fronts with a brush, staining pad or small cabinet specific 3/8" nap microfiber roller such as Whizz or AllPro brand. Larger areas may not level with hand application.
8. If a faster build is desired over raw wood, use General Finishes Sanding Sealer for the first coat.
9. Dry time based on ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C; 50-70% humidity. Tack-free: 5-10 minutes. Ready to sand: 30-45 minutes. Re-coat: 1 hours. Inadequate dry time is one of the top reasons for product failure. You can tell if a water-based finish is dry if it forms a powder when lightly sanded with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad. If in doubt, wait longer. Increase dry time if: a. Humidity is over 80%; b. 3+ coats are applied; c. Thick coats are applied; d. Applying over an existing sealed finish; e. Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products: Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hr before applying water-based products. Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hr before applying oil-based products
10. To accelerate dry time in humid conditions, add General Finishes Accelerator and work in a space with good ventilation and air movement. If you decide to re-coat before the recommended time, test dryness.
11. Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion.
12. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, an oil-free tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.

Warning: Do not use water-based products with Linseed Oils or Danish Oils.