- Overview
- More Info
- Reviews
Arm-R-Seal topcoats are made with only the highest quality urethane resin, making them extremely durable and long lasting.
- Choose from Satin, Semi-Gloss and Gloss.
- Available in Pint, Quart and Gallon sizes.
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Technical Details:
- For simple 2-step finishing, wipe on General Finishes Seal-A-Cell for a lustrous finish. After drying, wipe on or use foam brush to apply Arm-R-Seal for a hard, protective finish.
- Formulated to be wiped on with a cloth or applied with a foam brush, eliminating drips and sags.
- Penetrates to provide protection and a natural look.
- Gallon sizes come in convenient jug instead of a can.
What's in the Box:
(1) General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Topcoat in your choice of size and gloss
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Customer Reviews and Photos for:
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Topcoat
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Average Rating:
4.6
(34 customer reviews)
Add your review...
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1) Submitted by
Jon, from Afton, MN
on 1/26/2013
Customer Rating: 
This is the best oil-based finish I've ever used to both bring out the grain of the wood and leave the wood color looking natural. It doesn't yellow like polyurethane or varnish-type wipe-on finishes.
One caveat: the finish left in the can has a short shelf-life {a couple of months}. It will eventually turn into a jelly-like mass which can't be restored with paint thinner to its original thin consistency. You can still use it in a thickened state as a wipe on/off finish, although it will be more time-consuming to work with. Bloxygen will slow down the gelling process, but won't stop it. Only buy it in small cans or as much as you think you will use in a couple of months.
Also: when you use the finish on your wood project, wipe it off fast. It dries very quickly compared with other polyurethane and varnish finishes, and will start to grab at your wiping cloth if you don't get it off fast enough.
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2) Submitted by
John Hutchinson, from Delaware, OH
on 6/13/2012
Customer Rating:
Fantastic finish! It gave my otter CD holder just the right amount of bling. I did take him in after the photoshoot.
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3) Submitted by
Mike Dierenfeld, from Northwood, IOWA
on 3/11/2011
Customer Rating:
Over the years my wife has refinshed dozens of antique furniture pieces, as well as finished new pieces I have made. This is by far the best, easiest finish we have ever used. It goes on quickly and easily without streaking, dries quickly, and has held up very well. We have used it over stains or on barerecently stripped wood with equal results. We try not to get any larger quantity than we will use in a relatively short time, as it does thicken after a can is opened.
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4) Submitted by
Jean L-V, from Baltimore, MD
on 11/21/2010
Customer Rating:
I love this stuff! I have never used anything like it. I'm refinishing 3 antique rockers that have been in the family forever. On the first one I was a little worried after all my prep work to mess things up - could not believe a finish could be wiped on with a rag and end up looking fabulous - not a single streak, bubble or brush mark. I'm a convert from Minwax now. Beautiful finish and with the General Finishes Java gel stain, the chair looks like a million bucks. I'll be using General Finishes products for all of my projects now!
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5) Submitted by
Floyd Davis, from Gardena, CA
on 11/10/2010
Customer Rating:
I'm very please with the product. The finish is very good and durable
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6) Submitted by
S., from Manchester, MISSOURI
on 11/10/2010
Customer Rating:
I used the general finishes oil/urethane topcoat a few days ago on a coffee table and I must say this has been the best finish I have used yet. I too have always used the minwax quick dry polyurethane and have not been pleased. THis product looks great, provides a smooth finish, and will be the finish of choice for me.
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7) Submitted by
Don Wilcox, from Asheville, NC
on 4/20/2010
Customer Rating:
I read an artical in a woodworking magazine on General Finishes and gave it a try. I had been using Minwax for years and was not satisfied with the results. The Arm-R-Seal gives me a smooth finish every time without much sanding between coats. I will use nothing but General Finishes products from now on.
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8) Submitted by
Steve, from Nehalem, OR
on 12/7/2009
Customer Rating:
I was first turned on to this product by my painter. I used it once and was sold. I showed my wife how easy it was to put on and she has finished all of our new fir doors, the staircase (not sure how it will hold up but with a wipe on finish like this it will be simple to re-coat when the time comes) and all of the spruce trim I've milled for the house. Time consuming, yes, but worth it.
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9) Submitted by
Pat, from Brimley, MI
on 10/19/2009
Customer Rating:
This stuff is fantastic. I have used this on stained furniture and it adds just the right amount of gloss without being too shiny. Easy application with a soft cloth, I use an old tee shirt. Beautiful finish. My only complaint is that I didn't buy a bigger can of this finish.
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10) Submitted by
F. Corales, from Altadena, CA
on 12/8/2012
Customer Rating:
Used this product for the first time & glad I did. So easy to wipe on & the results were spectacular!! No drips or runs and when it dries, it looks like its been sprayed on. Will not use anything else from now on.
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11) Submitted by
Luke, from Snellville, GA
on 10/13/2009
Customer Rating:
This finish is great! I can find none better for the price. It goes on easy and looks great!
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12) Submitted by
Greg Little, from Prairieville, LA
on 9/12/2009
Customer Rating:
I like the convenience of a wipe on finish and I find this to be the absolute best I have come across so far. I used it on a desk I recently completed and I am impressed with the ease of application and quality of results. All I need to do now is find a wipe on spar varnish for exterior applications. Just built a teak screen door for my house and had to brush on the spar varnish. Spar varnish is way to thick to wipe on and cannot be thinned.
Overall, I find all products by General Finishes to be top notch quality.
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13) Submitted by
Bob O'Brien, from Gig Harbor, WA
on 1/21/2013
Customer Rating:
I've used this product for years and recently the store that carried it went out of business. I found this available at Rockler and wanted to comment. I've used this on all the wood trim on our Jelwdwen windows and doors, and several pieces of furniture and it is better than any other product I've used. On occasion I use the foam brushes but my favorite are the cheese cloth covered foam pads. The finish goes on smooth and I don't get any smear or brush marks. I try to not use old finish since it tends to start to jell in the can. I do stir it until I get a smooth consistent liquid. I typically put three coats on window frames and doors, and five to six on furniture. I've never tried to spray it however.
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14) Submitted by
M. Wagers, from Jefferson City, MO
on 7/2/2009
Customer Rating:
I realize this is a wipe-on product, but I come from a cabinet shop background, where we would spray everything. Wiping this product on is great, but for big projects, such as what I am just finishing up; has four chairs, table end-caps, and lots of chair runners. Since this is a refinish job, I was not able to disassemble the chairs completely, so I decided to spray this product after applying Deft Lacquer Sanding Sealer (great product as well, BTW). I spray it through a Kobalt 1.4mm HVLP, and I've never seen a better spray consistency. I was worried about the Oil side of this urethane, but I believe the Oil is what makes it a wipe-on formula, and it also makes it spray like a catalized lacquer, which is absolutely perfect.
I now buy all my finishes from Rockler, even though I live two hours from the closest store. Keep up the good work!
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15) Submitted by
Phil Tiews, from Ann Arbor, MI
on 5/6/2009
Customer Rating:
I used this to finish a dining room table. I can't speak to durability because it is brand new, but it went on very well, leveled out nicely and left a great satin finish.
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16) Submitted by
S. Curlee, from Anaheim, CA
on 1/6/2009
Customer Rating:
Agree with all comments. I used an oil modified urethane top coat very much like this 30 years ago which is now not available. This other product was impervious to all cold, heat, and moisture from food and beverage containers, etc. I have searched far and wide for a rag applied thin top coat like this one, and I believe I have found it in Arm-R-Seal. The other day I made a sample oak strip with this product (3 moderate-to-thin coats and 2-3 days drying time). I then set a 16 oz. glass on it filled with ice and topped off with water. I let it set all morning through the entire melt process. There was a pool of cold, condensed water at the bottom lip of the glass for 3 hours at the wood interface. I wiped it off at the end and it was perfect--no ring or damage whatsoever. Absolutely indestructible! I'm a believer.
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17) Submitted by
Richard, from Muskogee, OK
on 11/29/2008
Customer Rating:
Great topcoat easy to apply just wipe on with an old (tee shirt) rag an let it set the wipe marks just flow smooth and there are no dust nibs or air bubbles when it dries 3 coats an your done great product.
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18) Submitted by
Steve, from Arlington, TX
on 11/19/2008
Customer Rating:
Incredible, error free application. First coat with a paint pad, light scuff sanding, second & third coats wiped on. Comes out perfect every time.
And their high-gloss product...WOW!
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19) Submitted by
Dennis DeMorest, from Burleson, TX
on 4/28/2008
The combination of the antique brass piano hinge and the toy box lid supports combined to make an easy and smooth opening lid on this solid oak custom toy box. With a folding chalk board easel, and inlaid toy block letter this bench style toy box will be a family heirloom for years. I was very happy with the General Finishes line of stain and Arm-R-Seal topcoat.
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20) Submitted by
Rick Lindwall, from Yorba Linda, CA
on 4/23/2008
Customer Rating:
This is so easy to apply and the finish is perfect. It draws out the grain unlike any product I've ever used. I can't figure out why I would ever use any other finish.
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21) Submitted by
Tom Henderson, from Ventura, CA
on 4/21/2008
Customer Rating:
Just like the other reviews say; great stuff.
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22) Submitted by
Roger Reynolds, from Ottawa, IL
on 2/12/2008
Customer Rating:
Provides a glass smooth finish when wiped on and also makes the grain details pop for excellent eye appeal. I would recommend a good ventilation system as the odor is a little on the strong side for indoor workshop use but the finish more than makes up for the smell.
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23) Submitted by
Robert Wilkinson, from Ithaca, NY
on 1/14/2008
Customer Rating:
I have used General Finishes' Arm-R-Seal topcoat along with their Seal-A-Cell clear sealer with several maple cabinet projects. It's easier to apply than any other urethane topcoat I've used, and brings out the deep grain and personality of difficult woods such as maple and birch.
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24) Submitted by
The WoodGal from IA
on 1/3/2008
Customer Rating:
I've been doing custom woodworking for 15 years now and have tried many types of finish products. I keep coming back to this one. Although it says it is a wipe-on, I've had terrific results spraying it with a "Critter Sprayer". This product is highly durable and has yet to ever fail me.
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25) Submitted by
Walter Waite, from Hadley, NY
on 10/9/2007
Customer Rating:
General finishes makes great products,and have used them on many products. Works best as a wipe on finish.
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26) Submitted by
Joe Nardi, from Pleasant Valley, CT
on 2/6/2007
This is the best topcoat I have used in my life. It applies easily and smooths out perfect flat. Highly, highly recommend.
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27) Submitted by
Karen Westra, from Town of Tonawanda, NEW YORK
on 5/7/2006
I have used this product in both the satin and gloss for quite a few years. What I love about it, is the ease of application. I use a soft clean rag (t-shirt) for applying it, and it leaves no streaks or brush marks. The finish is beautiful and durable.
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28) Submitted by
Brian, from Westminster, CA
on 12/30/2010
Customer Rating: 
The product does not apply well with a rag as advertised. The coast is to thin and leaves streaks. But it does apply well with a foam brush. Application tempature must be at least 60 degrees or more of the application does not lay down flat.
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29) Submitted by
Ken Sieling
on 6/20/2010
Customer Rating:
I used oil and urethane top coat on a cutting board table top. after the first coat I was not impressed, however after the 2nd and 3rd it was looking good. I had to work in the garage with bugs getting into the finnish. I tried a cotton cloth, but it left streaks, then I got a foam brush to try, the foam brush is the only way to go. I sanded between coats with 600 paper, I liked the look better than steel wool. I have 6 coats of finnish on the table and only sanded two small spots after last coating. it says not to wax the finnish but I did with carnuba wax. it turned out great, the top looks better than it did new.
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30) Submitted by
Dan McGarigle, from El Segundo, CA
on 3/7/2011
Customer Rating:
I read that the formula for Arm-R-Seal was created in 1928 by a hardware store that was bought out by a paint company which subseqently became General Finishes, who said that the formula has not changed since 1928. I wanted to duplicate the finish that was used throughout Philadelphia since the 1930's and I am guessing that it was Arm-R-Seal because all that woodwork, like anything in a school, sure took a beating over the years, yet I could always see the gloss on the finish.
I think we are all beneficiaries of the formula of Arm-R-Seal. We even get to choose satin, semi-gloss and gloss. That's FABULOUS. Arm-R-Seal is, to me, a legendary finish and I hope it doesn't change for another 83 years.
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31) Submitted by
Jim Werner, from Brunswick, OH
on 1/9/2012
Customer Rating: 
I read so many good comments about this that I couldn't wait to try it. I used it on red oak and found it to be fairly easy to apply, but the result isn't anything to write home about. I applied it using a wiping varnish method with thinner added, and also applied one coat without thinner added, for about 8 coats total. Comparing it to another identical piece or red oak cut from the same board that I finished with 5 coats of Minwax Polyurethane straight, not with thinner, the Minwax Poly board came out far better. A much deeper finish and better texture. I didn't expect that.
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32) Submitted by
Jeff S., from Raymore, MO
on 1/22/2012
Customer Rating:
After staining red oak with a pickled finish I added arm-r-seal with a foam applicator per suggestion on product container being that I had a large flat surface to cover. The product is so thin I had trouble with the finish sagging. I don't think I'd apply this product again using the foam applicator as it seems to have put too much finish on at once, but it seemed to level and looked OK once it dried which takes 4-6 hours. The worst part was when I added the third coat . . . it created a discoloration in certain parts and not others. I've never seen anything like it. So I had to sand it back to bare wood and re-apply the stain. I'm going to apply arm-r-seal again, but this time using t-shirt material and see how it comes out. So far I'm not real impressed with the product, but will hold my opinion until I see the results with a different application technique.
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33) Submitted by
FB, from St. Paul, MN
on 12/14/2012
Customer Rating: 
After a lot of research and some pro advice, I attempted to finish an oak banister that had been stained with Varathane Dark Walnut. After 3 days of cure time, I did two separate test areas on the inside of the railing. It went on just fine. I moved to the outside of the railing and it stripped a huge swath of stain right off the wood. I followed the directions to the letter and didn't apply too much pressure. If you use Varathane stains, stay away from this stuff.
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34) Submitted by
Denis Rezendes
on 4/18/2008
Customer Rating:
I found this to be an excellent product. It went on easily, and I was able to mix other things to it like naptha and boiled linseed oil to get it do do exactly what I wanted. and since it is already thinned to be wiped it is a great all around go to finish.
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