The 12 Best General Water Based Stains (2022 reviews)

general water based stains
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Are you planning to buy general water based stains, and are you confused about the options ? This page is just for you.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: General Finishes Great Dye Stain
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Best For Thorough Cleaning:
Buy: General Finishes Forgiving Stain
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Best With Polyurethane:
Buy: General Water Based Stain
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Best For Premium Quality:
Buy: General Finishes Great Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Bare Wood:
Buy: General Water Based Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Cherry:
Buy: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For White Oak:
Buy: General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Patio Furniture:
Buy: General Water Based Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Mahogany:
Buy: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Metal:
Buy: General Water Based Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Outdoor Projects:
Buy: General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain
READ REVIEW

Best For Easy Cleanup:
Buy: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
READ REVIEW

Best Overall: General Finishes Great Dye Stain

General Finishes Great Dye Stain
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The General Finishes Great Dye Stain should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The general finish great dye stain is best for good results and it dries quickly. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. These easy to use dyes can be used straight out of the can, or for custom finishes they can be diluted with the neutral base, water or intermixed with generals other water - based stains and finishes to create a full palette of colors and tones.

The stain can be applied with a foam brush, rag, pad applicator or spayed. Most importantly, the general finishes great dye stain really well, is perfect for high performance and it is brand new.

Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the stain is easy to apply, finishes pine with one application and without any blotchiness whatsoever, as would be expected with traditional stains. Also, they say that the stain can be used in toning or glazing or used in conjunction with a sanding sealer. Further, they also found that the stain was made in Vermont in about 1810. Overall, most customers call the stained suits best, and no one questions it.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is made from multiple sheets of 4/4 maple glued up.
  • This is designed to work like solvent-based stains.
  • These are rough again, but not as rough as after the first application.
  • Deep rich tones enhance wood grain.

Best For Thorough Cleaning: General Finishes Forgiving Stain

General Finishes Forgiving Stain
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If you are searching for a satisfactory stain for your daily usage, this product is the right decision. The general finish forgiving stain is very thick, is simple and it is yellow. Formulated to provide workability similar to oil - based stains. Also, it is super easy and it is natural.

The stain is great with dark walnut, I wanted something modern and it is green. Most importantly, the general finish forgives stains, is very durable and it is very dark.

Almost all buyers found that the stain is a perfect gray that complements many blues. And, they strongly agree that the stain will stain your skin, so wear gloves. And, they strongly agree that the stain provides a richer hue of color. Overall, many have used the general finishes forgiving stains for more than a few months without any complaints, and it shows no sign of giving up.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This has a color stain chart you can see & download.
  • This can give a more modern feel.
  • Low odor, low voc, water cleanup and noncombustible.
  • This has a nice rustic, almost pallet wood feel.

Best With Polyurethane: General Water Based Stain

General Water Based Stain
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The General Water Based Stain might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. The general water based stain is perfect for steel wool, looks good and it is constructed high-quality. General finish water based stains have all the advantages of oil - base stains. And, it spreads easily, can be repaired, can be blended effortlessly, and has plenty of open time.

The stain is easy to get, is great with water cleanup and it is great with low odor. Most importantly, the general water based stain allows controlled penetration, which will reduce blotching on softer goods such as aspen, pine and maple.

"Old floors, 1890s redwood, stained very unexpectedly, patchy. " - says, one customer. Therefore, most customers find the stain is functionally comfortable and no one questions it.

Why We Like This:
  • This wipes off excess and it is indoor.
  • This is yellow and it makes sure.
  • High-quality pigments produce rich, dark colors; can be hand-applied or sprayed.
  • This is used for good results and it is suitable for use on unfinished wood.

Best For Premium Quality: General Finishes Great Stain

General Finishes Great Stain
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The features department is where General Finishes Great Stains truly manage to shine. The general finishes great stain is dried quickly and it makes sure. Apply two coats of exterior 450 wood stain with no topcoat for a semi-transparent look or apply one coat of stain, wipe off and apply several coats of exterior 450 clear finish. Further, it is easiest to apply, is very smooth and it is perfect for great coverage.

The stain works for black walnut as well. Further, this is expensive and it is used for maximum protection. Lastly, the general finish great stain is perfect for good coverage, is good for premium quality and it makes for easy application.

Most buyers opine that the stain can be used on a pine bench, followed by a water - based polyurethane top coat. In addition, a few say that the color looks black right after staining, but in a few days you can see that it 's a very deep walnut. Overall, many customers have used the general finish great stain for more than a few months without any problems, and it shows no sign of giving up.

Why We Like This:
  • It to paint 2 coats of solid color.
  • This is designed for outdoor projects.
  • Semi transparent interior / exterior stain.

Best For Bare Wood: General Water Based Stain

General Water Based Stain
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The features department is where General Water Based Stain truly manages to shine. The generalwater basedstain comes in 16 wood - tone colors. Use on any bare wood or stripped surface to produce beautiful clear wood tones. Moreover, it has a thicker consistency which allows for more control over penetration, reducing blotching on softer woods. Finally, the generalwater basedstain is suitable for brushing or spraying.

Why We Like This:
  • Proprietary blend of pigments and metal complex dyes for depth and clarity.
  • Recommended accuspray hvlp atomizing sets: .043 -.051 tip and nozzle, no. 9 air cap.
  • Voc <100 g/l (.83 lbs/gal) excluding water.

Best For Cherry: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain

General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
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Next on the list, we've got yet another product that manages to win our hearts. It's the general finish water based wood stain and it's widely considered as the product that has the most suitable features. And, these waterborne dye stains can also be used as a toner when mixed with gf water-base topcoats. For deeper tones, use as an undercoat with water based wood stain. Most importantly, the general finish waterbased wood stain is good for mixing with water and it makes sure.

Why We Like This:
  • Use to match colors or as stand - alone colors.
  • Excellent transparency, clarity and color stability.
  • Mix with water based wood stains for custom colors.

Best For White Oak: General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain

General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain
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The general finish semi transparent interior exterior stain is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily use. Manufacturer says: We do not recommend ext 450 stains or topcoats for exotic woods, ipe, teak, or other dense oily woods that will get exposure. It to paint 2 coats of solid color. In short, with a 4.7 rating and more than 72 buyers, the general finish semi transparent interior exterior stain stands as the best choice.

Further, they say that these 4 stars is that while the color is described as chestnut, it is more brown than chestnut. To sum up, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the stain suits the purpose.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • The color is printed right on the outside of the can.
  • Paint 2 coats of solid color.
  • Good investment for the long term.

Best For Patio Furniture: General Water Based Stain

General Water Based Stain
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General Finishes makes beautiful and great stains with classic and smartly chosen materials. And, this is made for good stuff and it can be trusted for premium quality. The General Water Based Stain is the most reliable product on the market today. Most importantly, the general water based stain is designed for outdoor projects with vertical surfaces such as fences, patio furniture, garage doors, entrance doors, outdoor kitchens and interior windows.

In short, most customers agree that the stain suits them best, and no one questions it.

Why We Like This:
  • New and hot releases.
  • Delivers what they promise.

Best For Mahogany: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain

General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
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We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in a convenient and appropriate stain. The product is exactly that - it's a simple product that hits all the right notes. Moreover, it is super easy and it is good for mixing with water. The general finish water based wood stain's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. Finally, the general finish waterbased wood stain makes sure and it is great with rich tones.

Most customers agree that the stain is perfect for that red mahogany look. And, a few also found that the stain is easy to use and clean up. Obviously, this stain passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is more red than the picture shows.
  • One of the newcomers and featured product.

Best For Metal: General Water Based Stain

General Water Based Stain
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Compared with other products by General Finishes, the General Water Based Stain has a convenient design. General finish water - based stains have plenty of open time and are a lot like oil - based stains. Moreover, the stain comes in 16 woodtone colors. The stain is easy to maintain and fits perfectly for your regular use.

Overall, most customers found the stain suits best, and no one questions it.

Why We Like This:
  • Use on any bare wood or stripped surface to produce beautiful clear wood tones.
  • Good brand reputation.

Best For Outdoor Projects: General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain

General Finishes Semi Transparent Interior Exterior Stain
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Best part: general finish with semi transparent interior exterior stain costs comparatively little and it is available to ship in 24 hours. It to paint 2 coats of solid color. Manufacturer says: We do not recommend ext 450 stains or topcoats for exotic woods, ipe, teak, or other dense oily woods that will get exposure. The stain is easy to maintain and it will match with your daily purpose.

So, customers were very happy to recommend it to friends and families.

Why We Like This:
  • Paint 2 coats of solid color.
  • Good investment for the long term.

Best For Easy Cleanup: General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain

General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain
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Next on the list, we've got yet another product that manages to win our hearts. It's the general finish water based wood stain and it's widely considered as the product that has the most suitable features. The general finish water based wood stain allows for easy cleanup and it is great with rich tones. . Also, stain as well and make sure. Most importantly, the general finish water based wood stain is great with excellent transparency and it is good for mixing with water.

In short, most buyers found the stain suits best, and no one questions it.

Why We Like This:
  • Delivers what they promise.
  • Good brand reputation.