General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish

Description

General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish is a durable oil-and-urethane oil-based finish is designed for use on decorative wooden bowls and turnings. For countertops actively used for chopping and cutting, we recommend Butcher Block Oil.

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.

RAW WOOD: 
See our video: How to Prep Sand Raw Wood

1. Sand open grain wood with 120 grit sandpaper, followed by 150 grit, then 180 grit. Sand closed grain wood with 150 grit sandpaper followed by 220 grit.

2. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.

General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish, Application Steps Over Raw or Stained Wood

1. Work in a well-ventilated area.
2. Stir topcoat thoroughly to reincorporate solids that have settled to the bottom of the can before use. Urethane topcoats are thin and the flatting agents used to create flatter sheens settle quickly to the bottom. Either stir and decant what you need to use immediately or stir frequently throughout the application process.
3. Wood must be dry & clean before use.
4. If desired, thin topcoat with 10-15% mineral spirits.
5. Apply 3 coats. More coats will not improve durability.
   • Hand application: Apply a liberal amount of General Finishes Wood Bowl Finish product using a cotton cloth, natural bristle or foam brush, staining pad with smooth, even strokes & light lap lines. The larger the surface the larger the applicator needed. Wipe off the excess evenly with the grain & with light pressure using a cloth or absorbent paper towel.
6. Finish sand between coats with a 220-320 grit foam sanding pad to improve smoothness and adhesion.
7. Remove dust with a vacuum, compressed air, a tack cloth or a water-dampened rag.
8. Inadequate dry time is one of the top reasons for finish failures. 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%
   • Temperatures are cooler
   • 3+ coats are applied
   • Thick coats are applied
   • 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
   Oil-based finishes cure and harden completely after 30 days. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of surfaces that have not cured completely. Treat gently, and do not clean with commercial products during the cure period.

9. 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.