--- product_id: 4462242 title: "General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin" brand: "general finishes" price: "£53.96" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 category: "General Finishes" url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4462242-general-finishes-high-performance-water-based-topcoat-1-quart-satin store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # water-based, low odor hardest consumer polyurethane 1-2 hr dry time General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin **Brand:** general finishes **Price:** £53.96 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > ✨ Elevate your woodwork with the satin finish that means business. ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin by general finishes - **How much does it cost?** £53.96 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4462242-general-finishes-high-performance-water-based-topcoat-1-quart-satin) ## Best For - general finishes enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted general finishes brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Fast-Dry Formula:** Get back to your project in just 1-2 hours—no more waiting around. - • **Unmatched Durability:** The toughest consumer-grade polyurethane topcoat for lasting protection. - • **Satin Finish Elegance:** Achieve a smooth, sophisticated satin sheen that elevates any interior wood surface. - • **Trusted by Pros & DIYers:** Top-rated with 4.7 stars from over 4,000 users—join the community of finish fanatics. - • **Eco-Friendly & Easy Cleanup:** Water-based formula means minimal odor and effortless water cleanup. ## Overview General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat is a premium, water-based polyurethane designed for interior wood surfaces. It offers industry-leading durability with a fast 1-2 hour dry time between coats, a smooth satin finish, and easy water cleanup. Highly rated by thousands, it’s the go-to choice for professionals and DIY enthusiasts seeking a flawless, long-lasting finish. ## Description Stains Visit the Store Stains Visit the Store Paints Visit the Store Paints Topcoats Visit the Store Topcoats Primers Visit the Store Primers Outdoor Finishes Visit the Store Outdoor Finishes Review: Outstanding finish - Outstanding. Easy to apply, water cleanup, and flawless finish. I put 4 coats on an old butcher block style table after staining ebony (oil base) and made a silk purse of a sow's ear. Review: Love this! - Very nice product. I ordered this well in advance of my project, but it didn't separate. Easy to apply (I used a sponge applicator) and three coats produced a really nice satin finish. Almost no odor even though I applied this indoors. Highly recommended! ## Features - Do not apply clear topcoats over bright white paint, as yellowing may occur due to a reaction to the substrate. Light color paints may also experience yellowing due to topcoat application, but it will less noticeable. - The hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane top coat on the market today - Dry Time Between Coats is only 1 to 2 Hours - Interior use only ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B001DSZ3C8 | | Best Sellers Rank | #4,640 in Tools & Home Improvement ( See Top 100 in Tools & Home Improvement ) #4 in Household Polyurethanes, Shellac & Varnish | | Brand | General Finishes | | Brand Name | General Finishes | | Compatible Material | Wood | | Coverage | 125-150 Sq.ft | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,156 Reviews | | Finish Type | Satin | | Finish Types | Satin | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00606016100323 | | Included Components | 1 quart | | Item Form | Liquid | | Item Type Name | Topcoat | | Item Weight | 2.4 Pounds | | Liquid Volume | 32 Fluid Ounces | | Manufacturer | General Finishes | | Manufacturer Part Number | QTHS | | Material | Water Based | | Material Type | Water Based | | Model Number | QTHS | | Recommended Uses For Product | Interior | | UPC | 881314957057 785577469480 606016100323 | | Unit Count | 32.0 Fluid Ounces | ## Product Details - **Brand:** General Finishes - **Finish Type:** Satin - **Item Weight:** 2.4 Pounds - **Material:** Water Based - **Recommended Uses For Product:** Interior ## Images ![General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/619IKLU1nxL.jpg) ![General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91A4bVmCqaL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Color, Size** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: Hi can I use this over a painted cabnet door as a sealer ? After painting I realized I NEEDED to seal. With the reviews of this product I hope I'm** A: I have used it on unfinished wood, stained wood and wood painted a light color so that it wouldn't yellow and it would be protected from spills and stains. You most certainly could use it on a painted cabinet door. I would do 2 to 3 coats, with a very, very light sanding with 320 between coats. Do not sand the cabinet door before you put on the first coat. **Q: does it get yellow?** A: I use it all the time and it has never yellowed on any light or white colored furniture that I have used it on. It’s my go to! **Q: Is the flat finish really flat?** A: HelloIf you take sheen on a scale of 1-100, the flat will have a sheen of 10, versus the satin, that has a sheen of 35.Have a great dayWoodworkers Hardware **Q: Can this be used outside over chalk paint?** A: I've used it lots of times over chalk paint and it looks gorgeous. My favorite is to use a super fine sandpaper (1600 or more) after 3 coats before the final coat. Makes it feel incredibly smooth. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding finish *by A***H on March 16, 2026* Outstanding. Easy to apply, water cleanup, and flawless finish. I put 4 coats on an old butcher block style table after staining ebony (oil base) and made a silk purse of a sow's ear. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love this! *by P***K on February 2, 2026* Very nice product. I ordered this well in advance of my project, but it didn't separate. Easy to apply (I used a sponge applicator) and three coats produced a really nice satin finish. Almost no odor even though I applied this indoors. Highly recommended! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good finish, absolutely no yellowing, care required in application *by T***. on December 28, 2013* To cut right to the chase: I am extremely pleased with the results I achieved with this product. I am an experienced "hobbyist" woodworker but still get apprehensive with the finishing stage of a project. The GF finish allowed me to achieve my goals: a satin finish on a maple cabinet top with no yellowing or color change. The cabinet top is a glued-up maple panel approximately 55" x 15". I sanded it to 320 with a Bosch random orbit sander prior to applying any finish. I cleaned up the sawdust after sanding and between coats of finish with a tack cloth. I sanded and finished BOTH the top and bottom of the panel. I did not count the number of coats, but three was not enough. I am guessing I stopped at eight coats. For the first half-dozen coats I used the finish straight out of the can, after mixing thoroughly (required to get the satin particles off the bottom of the can, I would say 5 to 7 minutes of stirring with a small paint stick). The last couple coats I thinned the finish quite substantially after pouring the needed amount into a small paint pail. Since the finish in the can is of a milky consistency let me use a milk analogy: think of what's in the can as the consistency of the half-and-half you put in your coffee. My last couple coats were the consistency of skim milk with a little water added. I found that the thinner final coats allowed the brush marks to relax quite a bit more than in the thicker coats. I would recommend thinning for the final coats; if I was doing it over again I would probably use the out-of-the-can consistency only for maybe ther first two or three coats and then start thinning from there. I used a good "traditional" paintbrush, a Purdy Nylox "Dale" model (soft bristle) with a beveledf tip, 2-1/2" wide. GF recommends a foam brush. I can't comment on this as I did not try it, but for sure the brush marks were my biggest issue. This is why I attempted the thinning (successfully, as it turned out) described above. I am not a fan of foam brushes but would have tried one had the thinning not worked. I sanded between coats using successively finer grits. 320 on the first couple coats, then 400, then 600, 800, and finally 1000 automotive paper prior to the last couple coats. As others have observed here, this finish dries completely quite quickly. In my case I left most coats to dry at least 8 hours and by that time the sanding produced a fine white powder with no stickiness at all. This was easily cleaned with a brush-equipped shop vac followed up by a tack cloth. (BTW I did use the cheapie oil-based tack cloths you can pick up at Lowes with no oil-vs-water problems.) I also used this finish an a couple of maple plywood shelves with solid maple edging for the inside of the cabinet. No issues here either and the color is completely natural. I also put a coat of Butcher's wax on these shelves maybe a day after the last coat - worked great after being buffed out with a wool pad on the Bosch random orbit sander. Will probably do this to the top eventually as well. The things I would be most careful to look out for are BRUSH MARKS and DRIPS. I addressed the brush mark issue by thinning the finish. All of my surfaces were flat and horizontal so it was pretty easy to avoid drips. I could see this being a bigger issue for vertical surfaces, so be careful if you have those or any detailed carvings or turnings. Very easy cleanup with warm water and a touch of True-Green cleaner. I stay away from hand soap for these kinds of things as those often contain various oils. I found little or no VOC or odor with this finish, another significant positive for my in-home (basement) workshop. It goes without saying that this finish is relatively expensive compared to the Minwax at one of the box stores. But the bottom line for me, again, I got what I was after which is a nice satin finish with a natural color maple cabinet top. Would definitely use this finish again. ## Frequently Bought Together - General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Quart, Satin - S&F STEAD & FAST Painters Tack Cloth for Woodworking, Painting, Sticky, Anti-Static Tack Rags for Automotive, Sanding, Cleaning, Dusting, Staining, Wax and Silicone Free, 18 x 36 Inches Dust Cloths - Pro Grade, Paint Brushes, 5-Piece, Paint Brush Set: Flat & Angle Brushes for Latex and Oil Paints, Stains, Interior & Exterior Home Improvement --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4462242-general-finishes-high-performance-water-based-topcoat-1-quart-satin](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4462242-general-finishes-high-performance-water-based-topcoat-1-quart-satin) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-06-07*