Hardwood Floor Top Coat: Water Based, Professional Grade | General Finishes (2024)

Surface Preparation

RAW WOOD: 1. Sand with 150-180-grit sandpaper. 2. Vacuum dust.

NEW STAINED SURFACE: Allow stain to dry according to manufacturer directions & until the moisture meter readings return to their original numbers.

SEALED SURFACE: 1. Clean all wax, grease & oils. 2. Buff with maroon pad & 240-grit sandpaper strips. 3. Vacuum dust.

General Finishes Pro Image Flooring Topcoat Application Steps
IMPORTANT: Record moisture meter readings in several places before applying Pro Image. These readings will provide a benchmark at later stages to determine when the floor is dry enough to apply another coat of finish.CAUTION: Do NOT use any clear topcoat over bright whites as it may cause yellowing.

Join General Finishes University Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/generalfinishesuniversity for customer support and learning opportunities for GF products. This group is a great resource for guidance regarding choosing the right product, mastering finishing techniques, troubleshooting, or sharing your finished projects.

RAW WOOD AND SEALED SURFACES:

1. Work in a well-ventilated area.
2. Stir to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process.Do not shake topcoat.
3. Test for adhesion.
4. Thinas desired with distilled water; start with 5%, adding up to 10% by volume.
5. Increase open time, if needed, with 5-10% Enduro Extender if allowed by local regulation. Extender improves flow and leveling and increases open time, which is helpful in hot, dry climates.

6. 2 coats are recommended. Apply at a rate of 500-600 Sq. Ft per gallon using a t-bar, pad applicator or microfiber roller with smooth, even strokes & light lap lines. Avoid heavy pressure & back-brushing. Lap lines will tighten down as they dry. If applying a second coat within 24 hours, buffing is not required. If applying after 24 hours, buff with maroon pad & 240-grit sandpaper strips & vacuum off dust & tack rag with water-dampened towels. Then apply second coat.

   TIPS: If conditions are dry & warm, restrict the amount of air flow. Increase the application rate & block direct sunlight by closing shades or blinds.

7. Dry 3-4 hours in ideal conditions,70°F/21°C; 50% humidity.Inadequate dry time can trap moisture & cause clouding. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity & sealed substrates may prolong dry time. GF oil-based products must dry 72+ hours before applying GF water-based topcoat. Dry 24+ hours before applying GF oil-based products. Use moisture meter readings to verify dryness.

CURE TIME: Floor may be used (socks only) in 6 hours, furniture can be replaced in 3 days & rugs in 10 days. Be careful during the first 10 days, as the finish is more susceptible to scratching and scuff marks. Place heavy furniture on carpet pads.

Application tools and materialscontaining water-based products can be cleanedwith soap and water or General Finishes immediately after use.

Product Spills

Spills may be able to be removed from fabric and carpet if cleaned immediately with soap and water.

Disposal

Discard unused product and waste in an environmentally safe manner; check with local fire and health regulation.

Life of Product
Water-basedproducts do not last forever, even when unopened. General Finishes products are best used within 1 year of the manufacture datelisted on the container. The life of the product may be extended with proper care and storage.

Storage Tips
The following best practices will increase the life of your product:

1. Keep the containers closedafterdecanting whatyouneed.
2. Store in moderate temperatures.Avoid temperatures below 50*F/10*C or above 100*F/26*C. Frozen and heat-damaged product cannot be revitalized. Temperature-controlled spaces, such as a basement, are ideal for storage. Do not store product in an attic, garage, in direct sunlight, or next to something warm like a water heater or furnace.
3. Decant leftovers to a smaller container when thefinish is almost used up. Alternative storage containers for water-based products are plastic FIFO bottles or glass bottles. Do not fill metal-lidded containers completely to prevent them from rusting.

The following water-based product mixturescan be stored:

• Product thinned with up to 15% General Finishes Extender.

The following product mixturesshould NOT be stored:

• Any water-based product thinned with tap water. Water often contains bacteria that will adversely affect stored paint.

Usage Restrictions after Final Coat of Topcoat is Applied

Immediate Use of Floors Finished With Sealer:
Floors may be carefully walkedon, in socks only, after six hours.

Intermediate Use:
You can replace furniture in 3 days, and rugs in 10 days. Be cautious during the first 10 days, when the finish is more susceptible to scratching and scuff marks. Place heavy furniture on carpet pads.

Cure Time:
Water-based finishes cure for full use in 21 days.

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

Limited Warranty
General Finishes products must be tested to your complete satisfaction before using. General Finishes will not be responsible for color satisfaction, misapplication, nor compatibility with other manufacturers' products. General Finishes will be responsible only for the cost of our products, and not for costs such as labor, damage or project replacement.

Contamination and Compatibility
Our finishes are engineered as a system and are compatible with each other. General Finishes cannot guarantee an ideal refinish when applying our products on top of or combined with another company's products or over surfaces that have been in contact with waxes, polishes or sprays containing contaminants such as silicone. Test for adherence and aesthetics before beginning.

PERSONAL PROTECTION DURING USE:

Hand protection
Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn when handling chemical products if a risk assessment indicates this is necessary. Considering the parameters specified by the glove manufacturer, check during use that the gloves still retain their protective properties. It should be noted that the time to breakthrough for any glove material may differ for different manufacturers. In the case of mixtures, consisting of several substances, the protection time of the gloves cannot be accurately estimated.

Eye protection:Safety eyewear complying with an approved standard should be used when a risk assessment indicates this is necessary to avoid exposure to liquid splashes, mists, gases, or dust. If contact is possible, the following protection should be worn unless the assessment indicates a higher degree of protection: safety glasses with side shields.

Other skin protection: Appropriate footwear and any additional skin protection measures should be selected based on the task being performed.