All wood projects require preparation sanding before clear coating with a topcoat. If you skip this critical step, your finish may be rough and uneven.

Preparation for Raw Wood
See our video: How to Prep Sand Raw Wood

1. The sanding schedule for wood that will be clear coated with an oil-based topcoat: sand up to 150-grit sandpaper.
2. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.
3. Do not over-sand with fine-grit sandpapers; this will close and seal the wood grain, preventing ideal color absorption.

General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat Application Steps

1. General Finishes recommends continuously stirring the wood finish throughout use to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can. Alternately, stir well and immediately decant what you'll be using. Arm-R-Seal is a thin urethane topcoat; the flatting agents used to create flatter sheens quickly settle to the bottom of the can and need to be redistributed often.
2. Arm-R-Seal rarely needs thinning due to its low viscosity. If desired, thin with up to 10% mineral spirits unless restricted by local or state regulations.
3. Use only with adequate ventilation. Open windows and doors, or use other means, to maintain fresh air flow during application and drying.
4. Apply 3 coats. Additional coats will not improve durability. 
   • Hand application: Apply a liberal amount of product using a clean cloth, natural bristle brush, foam brush or pad applicator. The larger the surface the large the applicator needed. Wipe along the wood grain using smooth, even strokes. Remove excess with light pressure. It is more important to avoid over brushing when using Satin Arm-R-Seal, because of the increased flatting agents needed to create a SATIN sheen. Semi-gloss and Gloss sheens are easier to apply because there are little to no flatting agents.
   • Spray application: Arm-R-Seal can be sprayed successfully, but we prefer hand-application methods because it is easy to spray too much in one area. Spray thin coats and immediately wipe or brush out runs if they occur. Spray wet films at 3-5-mil thickness. HVLP: 1.0mm-1.2mm spray tip, medium air cap. Verify tip sizes with your equipment supplier. Click here for a general guide to 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 10% to conceal lines. Wear a full filter NIOSH/MSHA-approved respiratory & eye protection and work in a well-ventilated space. Read here for more information on spraying techniques.
5. Finish sand between coats with a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad or 400-grit sandpaper to improve smoothness and adhesion.
6. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.

Tips to Prevent Streaking

1. Choose a semi-gloss or gloss sheen with little to no flatting agents. The more flatting agents, the more likely a topcoat will streak when applied. 
2. Optionally, if you want a flatter sheen, put down 2 coats of semi-gloss, followed by satin.
3. Either stir and decant what you need to use immediately or stir frequently throughout the application process. Urethane topcoats are thin and the flatting agents used to create flatter sheens settle quickly to the bottom of the can. 
4. When working with a satin sheen, apply a liberal amount of product, and avoid pressure and back-brushing. Wipe along the wood grain using smooth, even strokes.
5. Remove streaks that occur by buffing with 0000 steel wool or a fine-grade (220-320) foam sanding pad. You can also sand well and re-coat.

Compatibility With Long Oils
Arm-R-Seal can be used over Danish Oil, Linseed Oil & Tung Oil after they are dry. Allow oil to dry overnight before applying GF product.

Dry Time Between Coats

Dry 12-24+ hours between coats when applying over raw or stained raw wood, and dry 72+ hours between coats when working over an existing sealed finish in ideal conditions: 70°F/20°C; 50-70% humidity.

Inadequate dry time is one of the top reasons for finish failure. 

You can tell if an oil-based finish is dry if it is no longer tacky, cool to the touch, and if you can press a cotton ball over the surface and nothing sticks. 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
• Applying over products from other brands
• Layering General Finishes water- and oil-based products:
  • Water over oil: Let oil-based products dry 72+hrs before applying water-based products
  • Oil over water: Let water-based products dry 24+hrs before applying oil-based products
• To accelerate dry time in humid conditions, work in a space with good ventilation and air movement. If you decide to re-coat before the recommended time, test dryness. 

Cure Time Before Use
Oil-based finishes cure and harden completely after 30 days. Avoid placing heavy objects on surfaces that have not completely cured. Treat gently, and do not clean with commercial products during the cure period.

Cleanup
Clean up application materials and hands with mineral spirits or waterless hand cleaner, like Goop or Gojo. 

Disposal
Take great care when disposing of product-soaked applicators. Application materials, such as brushes and towels, containing oil-based products may spontaneously catch fire if improperly discarded. Immediately place all application materials soaked with this product in a sealed, water-filled metal container. Dispose of in accordance with local fire regulations. 

Spills
Clean up spills with mineral spirits immediately while wet. If oil-based finishes dry, they are difficult to clean off any surface, clothes or carpet. Carpet may discolor if cleaned with mineral spirits.

Prevention 
Protect your workspace with a tarp, your hands with gloves, and your clothes with an apron.

Life of Product
General Finishes products do not last forever, even when unopened. They are best used within 1 year of the manufacture date listed on the bottom of the can. The life of the product may be extended with proper care and storage.

Storage Tips
See our video: Tips for Storing Leftover Finishes
Oil-based products start to harden and cure when exposed to oxygen. The following best practices will increase the life of your product:

1. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use, in the original container. Do not store in unlabeled containers.
2. Pry open sealed lids with a paint can opener by hooking under the lid's rolled edge. The use of a screwdriver can disfigure the rim and lid, impairing a complete seal. 
3. Keep lid closed while working. Decant what you will use into a bowl, paper cup, or plate, and close can lid as you work. Every minute the can is open, the product is curing.
4. Containers that have been opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Clean the chime of the can thoroughly with a paper towel before closing to create a complete seal. Product in the chime can be minimized by using a pouring lid, such as Fitsall. Avoid wiping used brushes on the lid.
5. Pound the lid in place using a rubber mallet to avoid distorting the chime or lid. Dents in the lid from direct contact with a hammer can impair a complete seal. Alternatively, place a flat piece of wood over can lid and firmly pound shut.
6. Avoid temperatures below 50°F/10°C or above 80°F/26°C. Frozen and heat-damaged product cannot be revitalized. Store in original container protected from direct sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated areas.
7. Do not store product in an attic, garage, in direct sunlight, or next to ignition source with heat and flames such as a furnace. 
8. Store the can upside down to create a liquid seal, minimizing oxygen exposure from within the can. Decant remaining product from the can before stirring.
9. Add Bloxygen can. Bloxygen is an argon gas system that prevents oxygen and moisture from hardening leftover product. Because Bloxygen gas is heavier than air, it sinks to the surface of the leftover finish, creating a barrier between product and air trapped in the container.
10. Decant leftovers to a smaller, properly labeled container when the finish is almost used up to reduce the volume of oxygen in the container.
11. Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination.

Cure First
You have just finished applying a fine furniture finish. Treat gently until the paint or topcoat have fully cured. Allow 21 days for a water-based finish to cure and 30 days for an oil-based finish to cure before cleaning.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

• Remove dust with a water-dampened cloth. Dust can build up over time and may scratch or dull finishes if not removed regularly. 
• Remove fingerprints, cooking fumes and smoking residue with mild soap and water. These contaminants will not harm the finish, but they accumulate on surfaces and dull the original luster. 
• As with all fine furniture finishes, avoid using furniture polish, cleaners or dusting sprays that contain silicone, alcohol, ammonia and anything acidic. Exception: We have successfully cleaned with Clorox wipes for occasional cleanups.
• Clean up water, alcohol and food spills in a timely manner and use placemats & coasters to protect the finish.
• Future finishes or touch-ups may not adhere properly or perform as desired over a contaminated surface. Some contaminants, such as silicone, seep through finish into the wood and often cannot be removed.
• Avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures or high humidity. These can damage furniture and finishes.

Arm-R-Seal Warnings and Warranties

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.
 

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.

Prop 65 WARNING:

• Gloss: No chemicals were found in this product which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
• Satin & Semi-Gloss: This product can expose you to Benzene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. This product can expose you to chemicals including Crystalline silica, respirable powder, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Toluene, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

DANGER COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED.
CAUSES EYE IRRITATION.

DANGER: Can enter lungs and cause damage.
DANGER: Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from heat and flame. Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not breathe vapor or mist. Do not swallow. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Wash thoroughly after handling.