General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Top Coat, Semi-Gloss
Wipe on with a cloth or apply with a foam brush for a hard, durable semi-gloss topcoat.
Item #
GRP10928_2
Arm-R-Seal topcoats are made with only the highest quality urethane resin, making them extremely durable and long lasting.
Features:
- 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.
(1) General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Topcoat-Semi-Gloss
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4.8 / 5.0
102 Reviews
Great finish.
Been seeing alot of post online, so I thought I'd give it a try. Looks good I'm my opinion.
Added Sep 8, 2019
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Arm-R-Seal Semi-Gloss
Professional results when directions are Followed. I would recommend this product.
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My Go To Finish for nice pieces
This stuff is brilliant. Easy to apply. Dries fast enough to minimize dust nibs.
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Great Product
Best and easiest wipe on topcoat I have used
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Excellent for a Wiping Varnish
I've used the Seal-a-Cell/Arm-R-Seal combination on numerous projects, including a large walnut slab shelf. It applies well, spreads well, and levels in a great way. Of course, Seal-A-Cell is essentially an oil with a little varnish, while Arm-R-Seal is a varnish with a little oil. The former does a reasonable job of sealing, and the latter makes a great, topcoat that can tolerate considerable hard use. I tend to apply the Satin for several coats, finishing up with the Semi-gloss as the final top coat or two. Note, if you want open grain filled, then it should be filled before applying the finish. No wiping varnish will fill open grain in only 3-4 coats.
I have to admit, I wouldn't use it for a large table, that is not its preferred application. I have used other wiping varnishes, and made some myself, but I prefer the GF "system" to any other.
I have to admit, I wouldn't use it for a large table, that is not its preferred application. I have used other wiping varnishes, and made some myself, but I prefer the GF "system" to any other.
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Fantastic
I used to use the big box varieties of stains and finishes, no more! This stuff is awesome and made right in my home state of WI. Love it! Easy to apply, clean, and leaves a remarkable finish.
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Used for gunstock.
I did the gunstock with 4 applications of boiled linseed oil and then several coats of this. It lays on smoothly and thinly and dries to a nice semi-gloss finish.
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I personally think there is no other better
It is the best, all I use
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Excellent product
Excellent product. I use this on most everything that goes indoors.
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The Best
I make plenty of wood items and sell through our business. Arm-R-Seal Urethane Topcoat is my go to finish for pen blocks, salt and pepper grinders and anything else that does not come in direct contact with food, yet gets handled a lot. Love the semi-gloss. I used one layer of sanding sealer then lightly sand followed by 2-3 thin coats of Arm-R-Seal. It's the best finish I've found and I've tried plenty.
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Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 21 questions
Browse 21 questions
and 34 answers
Will this protect against white marks from heat on a dining room table?
can this oil and urethane top coat be sprayed on?
BEST ANSWER: Yes according to the attached spec sheet.
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- RV retired wood on Jul 25, 2018
If i want a smoother finish, is there a problem with sanding to a 240 grit or higher instead of stopping at 150 grit as shown technical details? Thanks
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Top Coat, Semi-Gloss
BEST ANSWER: I always sand to 240 and the finish is beautiful. like glass. I put it on a little heavier than stated too. takes longer to dry but with no problems. I coated a pc of spalted maple with 6 coats. Afterwards I took a pot of boiling water off the stove un put it right on the wood with no pot hold just to test the finish. Not a mark was left. I was making a kitchen table so I wanted to test the finish in the harshest way.
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- ANDREW H on Jul 13, 2016
- Purchased on Dec 8, 2014
I have a maple wood table top I am finishing. Do I need to apply the seal coat or can I just apply the poly?
BEST ANSWER: I applied a seal coat to a grandfather clock, prior to the poly and did the same on other projects, with success. For the first time, I just used the poly, without the seal coat on a cedar farmhouse style table and it seeems to be holding up just fine. If money isn't a problem, I and the wood will be exposed to miosture, I normally tend to use the seal, just to be cautious.
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- TIM B on Jun 17, 2017
- Purchased on Jul 8, 2015
I have an order for bar tables so the finish will take a lot of abuse. The tables will be made of reclaimed lumber. Will this finish stand up to that type of use?
BEST ANSWER: I have never used General Finishes products on anything other than furniture/other items for my home which do not get the usage of bar tables but I love this finish for my needs. I use both the Seal-a-Cell and Topcoat with never a problem of any kind. Actually, I inadvertently reversed these coats on my oak dining room table, when General Finishes changed their labels many years ago and have not had a problem with that goof either. If a piece gets scratched, I just rub the entire surface (top, leg, whatever) with 0000 steel wool, clean, and cover with another coat. The bar table tops could easily be redone when really needed with very little work. In addition to all other good attributes about General Finishes, my favorite is the ease in use. I just wipe on evenly with a cloth and it smoothes into a professional looking finish. Hope this helps in your decision.
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- Glenda W on Jun 13, 2017
- Purchased on Jun 24, 2015
I am contemplating using this product on a Maple island top. I don't know if I should use semi-gloss (which it appears so many are using), or should I use a satin finish. I don't want a slick look, but a sheen?
BEST ANSWER: I always use semi-gloss for everything. When the project is complete, if it has more sheen than I want, I use some Howards wax or similar and 0000 steel wool. Buff lightly with lots of wax until you reach the level of sheen you want. I should say, make sure the finish has cured for a week before doing this.
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- Cary C on Oct 20, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 14, 2015
Is this finish food safe?
BEST ANSWER: Though product doesn’t claim to be food safe, my understanding is that all finishes,when fully cured, are food safe. Mfg. had great customer service, suggest you contact them direct.
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- Donald H C on Aug 9, 2019
- Purchased on Aug 22, 2017
Could I use this for painted cabinets ???
BEST ANSWER: You could, or use an exterior finish like Exterior 450. Armor-Seal will amber the color a bit, but the down-side is refinishing (years from now, but still...). You will need MULTIPLE COATS, at least a few more than you were hoping for, so when you have to sand down the scratches (or, say, your grandchildren do), you are sanding finish, not through to the paint.
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- Tim D on Jul 18, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 14, 2015
Can you use on live edge wood?
BEST ANSWER: Sure! I've used it on live edge cherry with and without bark, with lovely results; also many other types of wood including oak, ash, maple, cherry, sycamore, and hawthorn beams, stairs, natural branch railings, and carvings.
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- Maren C on Oct 6, 2019
- Purchased on Oct 7, 2017
Can this product be applied over a fully cured water-based urethane that did not produce the desired result?
BEST ANSWER: yes. Never had a pblm and have done it many times. Prepping surface with sanding or steel wool will improve the outcome
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- Thomas P on Dec 7, 2018
- Purchased on Dec 7, 2016
Have a brand new table. Is there a protective finish I can put on table top. Without sanding new surface?
BEST ANSWER: I use this finish on most every project due to its duribility and resistance to water marks. Being oil based, it will yellow with time. As for "new", if you are referring to a unfinished wood, I would sand and after staining to suit, use 00 steel wool and tach rag before each coat.
If you are doing this to a already finished table, you may not improve it much other than make it resistant to water marks and giving it a deeper tone.
If you are doing this to a already finished table, you may not improve it much other than make it resistant to water marks and giving it a deeper tone.
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- Tom L on Aug 29, 2017
- Purchased on Sep 13, 2015
does GF made a combo stain and urethane product in a light cherry finish?
BEST ANSWER: You could probably add a tint to the finish to get a Watco look to quickly refurbish an older finish...I would go online to see their product types.
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- BILL I on Aug 11, 2017
- Purchased on Aug 20, 2015
I applied Arm R Seal to an old chair, 20 year old, pine wood. Two smal spots did not dry completely after 24 hours. I wonder if I should have applied Shellac Seal Coat prior to Arm R Seal in case there is some resin is in the wood. Maybe it will dry in one more day?
BEST ANSWER: Sometimes 24 hrs is not enough. If you used a brush you might have put too much on in those spots. You could wait until it hardens and then use sandpaper, or, while it is still soft scrape with a good edge putty knife or wide blade screw driver. Which ever works, but you should get it off. Then use a wiping cloth to apply several coats with sanding in between. 280 paper. Furniture wax after last sanding, 400 paper. Patience and good work. Hinni Martens
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- HINRICH R M on Mar 6, 2017
- Purchased on Mar 11, 2015
Can this finish be used on the inside of a drinking goblet?
Can Arm R Seal be srayed on with a HVLP sprayer?
BEST ANSWER: I never use a sprayer. Wipe it on with a blue paper shop towel.
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- RICHARD L on Nov 24, 2017
- Purchased on Nov 28, 2015
would this Arm-R-Seal top coat work well over a mahogany gel stain on stairs or would the EF High Performance Polyurethane top coat work better?
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Urethane Top Coat, Semi-Gloss
BEST ANSWER: I would go for the High Performance on stairs and use the Arm-r-seal on furniture
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- BILL I on Jun 5, 2017
- Purchased on Aug 20, 2015
Can I apply GF Arm-R-Seal after sanding and using a mahogany stain on a dining room table?
BEST ANSWER: Yes. It will make a hard durable surface. I used it on a walnut slab table. I suggest a final coating of wax. I used Renaissance. Pricey but a hard final surface.
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- SCOTT K on Feb 26, 2017
- Purchased on Apr 1, 2015
I have been using MinWax Golden Oak Stain, and MinWax Semi-Gloss Polyurethane to finish my red oak wood projects. I am interested in trying the wipe on General Finishes products. What products should I use to replace my MinWax products?
BEST ANSWER: Use seal-a-cell for stain and sealing, Arm-R Seal for top coat. Note that oil based finishes will add amber tint with each coat, which is why I prefer it over water topcoats. I recommend staining lighter color than desired finish.
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- Kent D on Jan 19, 2017
- Purchased on Mar 10, 2015
Can these be applied with a gravity feed spray gun?
My wife I planning to paint a monogram on a cedar piece we are working on. She would be using acrylic paint. Can this go over the paint to seal the entire project? Also, can this be used over other finishes like danish oil?
I plan to use an oak dining table for everyday meals, which previously was only used infrequently for meals in a dining room. I want to better assure the table top surface will stand up to every day use and want to put a "sealer" over the current sealer (don't know what that is). Can I use this or is there a better product I can wipe on for that application?
WARNING: 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 Ethylbenzene, 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. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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