Water Base Stains, Paints, and Topcoats

Are you looking for furniture or cabinet finishes? Environment friendly PolyAcrylic finishes are easy to apply, durable, and simple to repair. Our special waterborne formulas deliver extraordinary depth and vibrancy of color that cannot be achieved in any oil based product. If you are looking for color - use General Finishes Water Based products! Whether you want bold and luscious or traditional and classic, General Finishes has the finish for you. Available by the pint, quart or gallon. For a local dealer near you, visit General Finishes retail store locator for fine wood finishes.

Now carrying Enduro formerly by Compliant Spray Systems. Please contact us at 800-783-6050 for more information. Click here for a list of California retail locations.

Award winning finishes! General Finishes High Performance was rated Author's Best Overall Choice. See article by Fine Woodworking Magazine, Nov/Dec 2006.

Milk Paints ● Glaze Effects ● Water Based Wood Stains ● Poly Acrylic Top Coat

High Performance Top Coat ● Sanding Sealer ● Exterior 450

Exterior 450

Designed for exterior wood applications, EXTERIOR 450 varnish provides your wood with a tough, protective finish that will withstand the rigors of the sun, rain, and wind. Ideal for outdoor furniture, doors, and case goods, EXTERIOR 450 is fortified with UV absorbers to help minimize fading and maximize performance. Its built-in mildewcide retards mold and mildew growth.

Exterior 450 is tough and flexible, and will resist the expansion and contraction of the wood through hot summers and cold winters that typically causes cracking and peeling. Available in Satin and Semi-Gloss, it flows well and dries rapidly to a clear finish.

Exterior 450 MSDS (PDF)
Exterior 450 Data (PDF)
Exterior 450 Performance Data (PDF)

Dye Stains NEW

Unique, water based, ultra penetrating stains designed to work like solvent-based stains. The deep rich tones enhance the wood grain and produce vibrant colors especially on woods like cherry, walnut and maple. Dye stains can also be used as a toner when mixed with GF water based topcoats.


Amber	Light Brown	Cinnamon	Medium Brown

Dark Brown	Merlot	Ebony	Empire Red

Vintage Cherry	Orange	Yellow

General Finishes Milk Paint for Furniture

GF Milk Paints

Milk Paints are the star of the furniture fashion market. They are interior/exterior acrylic paints suitable for indoor or outdoor furniture, crafts, and cabinets and can be applied directly from the can to produce a high quality satin sheen finish. When used with Glaze Effects, you can create all the new decorative finishes such as distressing, antiquing, marble effects, rag rolling, or color washing. High use flat surfaces such as dining tables and desks will develop the patina of every day life over time so we recommend clear or wood stain finishes to our customers who are patina-adverse. Milk Paints can be used alone or mixed with any other product in the General Finishes Water Based line, including Wood Stains, and Topcoats.

GF Milk Paints Data (PDF)
GF Milk Paints MSDS (PDF)

Milk Paints are available in the following colors: Snow White, Antique White, Linen, Millstone, Outback Brown, Little Pink, Buttermilk Yellow, Somerset Gold, Sage Green, Bayberry Green, Basil, Cypress Green, Red Pepper, Autumn Haze, Brick Red, Tuscan Red, Baby Blue, Federal Blue, Coastal Blue and Lamp Black. The digitized colors shown are for reference purposes only. Always test stain on a hidden area of the wood to verify desired color.

General Finishes Furniture Glazes

GF Glaze Effects

Glaze Effects are translucent water based colors used to create beautiful decorative finishes such as distressing, marble, shabby chic, burnishing, color washing, rag rolling and wood graining. Use over Water Based Wood Stains, and Milk Paints. Glaze Effects can be inter-mixed or layered to create custom colors. They may also be layered over one another to create deeper, richer looks.

GF Glaze Effects Data (PDF)

GF Glaze Effects MSDS (PDF)

Glaze Effects are available in the following colors: Winter White, Yellow Ochre, Red Sienna, Burnt Umber, Van Dyke Brown, Pitch Black, and Clear Base (not shown). All finishes are shown here over Antique White Milk Paint. The digitized colors shown are for reference purposes only. Always test stain on a hidden area of the wood to verify desired color.


Winter White Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint	Yellow Ochre Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint	Red Sienna Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint	Burnt Umber Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint	Van Dyke Brown Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint	Pitch Black Glaze over Antique White Milk Paint

Click here for samples of General Finishes Glaze Effects or Water Based Wood Stains over Milk Paints