General Finishes White
Undercoat 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.
Enduro White Undercoat
Application Steps
1.
Watch product overview video on
the General Finishes Website.
2.
Stir General Finishes Enduro White Undercoat to reincorporate
solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the
application process.
3.
Thin as
desired with distilled water; start with 5%, increase up to 10% by
volume. Increase open time, if
needed, with up to 5% 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.
4.
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 general guide for spray tip sizes. 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, pad or small
cabinet specific 3/8" nap microfiber roller such as Whizz or
AllPro brand. Larger areas may not level with hand application.
5.
If a faster build is desired over raw wood, use General Finishes Sanding Sealer for the
first coat, followed by 2 coats of High Performance Topcoat.
6.
Dry 2+ hours between coats in ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C;
50-70% humidity. 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:
·
Humidity is over 80%
·
3+ coats are applied
·
Thick coats are applied
·
Applying over an existing sealed finish
·
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
·
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.
7.
Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam
sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion.
8.
Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, an oil-free tack
cloth or a water-dampened rag.
9.
Seal White Undercoat with topcoat to equal 4 total coats. If 1
coat of White Undercoat is applied, apply 3 coats topcoat over it. If 2 coats
White Undercoat are applied, apply 2 coats topcoat. One coat White Undercoat
sealed with 3 coats topcoat is recommended for durability. It's better to have
more topcoat than undercoat.
Cure
Time
Water-based finishes cure and harden for full
use after 21 days in ideal conditions. Avoid placing heavy objects on surfaces
that have not completely cured. Treat gently, and do not clean with commercial
products during the curing period.
Coverage: 450 square feet
Watch a great how-to video on creating a bright white finish using General Finishes' products HERE!