Preparation for Application over Raw Wood

1. The floor must be sanded properly using NWFA specifications, finishing with a 120-grit screen. If this is not done correctly, the finish may have visible scratch marks.
2. Water popping is optional and can slightly darken a floor. If you water pop, you may apply General Finishes Pro Floor Stain immediately because it is a water-based floor stain.
3. When dry, abrade with maroon pad and 240-grit strip or equivalent abrasive. Vacuum thoroughly then wipe with water-damped towels.

If Recoating an Existing Floor

1. Clean off all wax, grease, and oils with an appropriate hardwood floor cleaner or a 50|50 mix of denatured alcohol and water. 
2. Buff the finish with a maroon pad and 240-grit strips.
3. Vacuum all dust followed by wiping with a damp rag. 
4. Apply 1 or 2 coats of Pro Image or General Finishes Pro Shield Topcoat.
5. A test area is recommended before applying to the full floor to check for adhesion.

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.

1. Stir to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before and throughout the application process. Do not shake topcoat.
2. If desired, add General Finishes Extender to improve flow and leveling and increase open time, helpful in hot, dry climates. Add no more than 4-8 ounces per gallon.
3. Apply 2-3 liberal coats of Pro Image using a T-Bar with mohair cover, pad applicator or microfiber roller at a rate of 500-600 square feet per gallon. Wipe along the grain using smooth, even strokes and avoid pressure and back-brushing. Light lapmarks will self-level as the finish dries.
4. Dry 2-4 hours in ideal conditions, 70*F/20*C; 50% humidity, or until the moisture meter readings return to their original numbers.
   • If conditions are dry and warm, decrease or restrict the amount of airflow. Also, increase the application rate and block direct sunlight when possible by closing shades or blinds.
5. Buffing: If applying a second coat or third coat within 24 hours of applying Pro Image, buffing is not required. If applying after 24 hours, buff first with a maroon pad and 240-grit sandpaper strips, or a 3M Hi Pro Pad or equivalent.
6. Remove dust thoroughly with a vacuum followed by wiping with a water-dampened rag before re-coating.
7. NOTE: Many closed-grain woods, such as maple, walnut, and cherry, may only require 1 seal coat and 2 finish coats. Most open-grain woods, such as oaks and ash, will need 2 seal coats to increase the build of the finish and improve the final result.

Tinting

Pro-Image can be tinted with dye stains up to10% by volume.

Immediate Use of Floors Finished With Pro Image

• Floors may be carefully walked on, in socks only, after six hours.
• 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.

Application tools and materials containing water-based products can be cleaned with soap and water immediately after use.

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

Life of Product
Water-based products do not last forever, even when unopened. General Finishes products are best used within 1 year of the manufacture date listed 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 closed after decanting what you need.
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 the finish 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 mixtures can be stored:

• Product thinned with up to 15% General Finishes Extender.
• General Finishes Pro Floor Stain color mixes.

The following product mixtures should 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 walked on, 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. 

Warning
If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log onto www.epa.gov/lead.

FIRST AID:
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur due to the following. EYE CONTACT: Remove any contact lenses. Flush eyes with water for 20+ minutes while lifting upper and lower eyelids. SKIN CONTACT: Wash thoroughly after handling. INHALATION: Move to fresh air and loosen clothing. If not breathing, if breathing is irregular or if respiratory arrest occurs, provide artificial respiration or oxygen by trained personnel. INGESTION: Call physician immediately. Wash out mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 

Warning
This product contains a chemical known to the State Of California to cause cancer and birth defects. Do not swallow; first aid: drink water to dilute product. May cause eye or skin irritation; first aid: flush eyes thoroughly with water.

Warning
Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Wash thoroughly after handling.

PERSONAL PROTECTION DURING USE:

Hand protection
Chemical-resistant, impervious gloves complying with an approved standard should be worn at all times 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 are still retaining their protective properties. It should be noted that the time to breakthrough for any glove material may be different for different glove manufacturers. In the case of mixtures, consisting of several substances, the protection time of the gloves cannot be accurately estimated.

Eye/face 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 dusts. If contact is possible, the following protection should be worn, unless the assessment indicates a higher degree of protection: safety glasses with side-shields.

Respiratory protection:
Based on the hazard and potential for exposure, select a respirator that meets the appropriate standard or certification. Respirators must be used according to a respiratory protection program to ensure proper fitting, training, and other important aspects of use.

Body protection Personal protective equipment for the body should be selected based on the task being performed and the risks involved and should be approved by a specialist before handling this product.

Environmental exposure controls:
Emissions from ventilation or work process equipment should be checked to ensure they comply with the requirements of environmental protection legislation.

Appropriate engineering controls:
Good general ventilation should be sufficient to control worker exposure to airborne contaminants.

Hygiene measures: 
Wash hands, forearms and face thoroughly after handling chemical products, before eating, smoking and using the lavatory and at the end of the working period. Appropriate techniques should be used to remove potentially contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are close to the workstation location.
 

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