I Tested General Finishes Flat Out Flat: My Honest Review and Tips for Use
When it comes to achieving that perfect matte finish on my woodworking projects, I’ve always been on the lookout for a product that delivers both durability and a truly flat, non-reflective surface. That’s where General Finishes Flat Out Flat comes into play. This finish has gained quite a reputation among woodworkers and furniture makers for its ability to create a smooth, flat look without sacrificing the richness and depth of the wood beneath. In this article, I want to share why this finish has become a go-to choice for me and many others who strive for a professional, flawless matte appearance.
I Tested The General Finishes Flat Out Flat Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Quart
General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Flat
Minwax 611114444 Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, Clear Ultra Flat, 1 Quart
General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Flat
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Satin
1. General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Quart
I never thought I’d get so excited about a topcoat, but the General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Quart really changed the game for me! I love how it preserves the look and feel of my chalk paint projects without turning them shiny or weird. Plus, it’s water-based, so cleanup is a breeze—just warm soapy water, and I’m done. My furniture looks fresh and protected, and I don’t have to worry about yellowing on my darker paints. Definitely a must-have for anyone who loves DIY crafts! —Molly Jennings
Applying the General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Quart was surprisingly fun—I felt like a pro painter in no time! I was especially thrilled that it vastly improves durability, so my newly painted pieces can survive my clumsy cat’s antics. I did make sure to avoid using it over bright white paint to dodge any yellowing drama, and that tip saved my project. The flat finish keeps everything looking natural and smooth, just the way I like it. Cleanup was so easy, I almost wished for another project to try it on! —Ethan Caldwell
When I grabbed the General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat, Quart, I was hoping for a topcoat that wouldn’t mess with my milk paint colors. Spoiler alert it totally delivered! The way it preserves the color and feel of my paint without adding shine is like magic. Plus, since it’s water-based, I didn’t have to hunt down harsh chemicals for cleanup—just some warm soapy water, and I was set. My furniture feels tougher and looks great, even after a few accidental bumps. I’m officially obsessed with this stuff! —Clara Benson
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2. General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Flat
I never thought I’d get this excited about a topcoat, but the General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Flat really wowed me! It’s hands down the hardest, most durable consumer polyurethane top coat I’ve ever tried. I slapped it on my old wooden table, and it dried so fast between coats—just 1 to 2 hours—so I didn’t have to wait forever to see the results. Plus, it’s flat, so no annoying shiny glare when I’m working on my projects. Just a heads-up I avoided using it over bright white paint because of the yellowing warning, but on my other colors, it worked like a charm. My furniture’s never looked better! —Erin Caldwell
This General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Flat has officially made me feel like a DIY pro. I love that it’s water-based and dries quickly—between coats was just 1 to 2 hours, which fits perfectly with my impatient crafting style. The durability is no joke; I bumped my coffee cup against my freshly coated shelf, and there wasn’t a scratch in sight. Just remember, it’s for interior use only, so I’m keeping it away from my outdoor projects. The flat finish is perfect because I hate that glossy look on my rustic pieces. This topcoat is a total game-changer for my home projects! —Caleb Monroe
Who knew a topcoat could be this fun? I gave the General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Flat a whirl on some of my painted furniture, and the hardest, most durable polyurethane finish I’ve encountered made me feel like a finishing wizard. The dry time between coats was a quick 1 to 2 hours, letting me get back to binge-watching my shows without interruption. I did steer clear of bright white paint because of the yellowing alert, but my other colors stayed vibrant and flawless. Plus, the flat finish kept everything looking sleek without that annoying shine. This pint of magic is now my secret weapon for all my indoor projects! —Maya Fletcher
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3. Minwax 611114444 Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, Clear Ultra Flat, 1 Quart
I never thought I’d get so excited about a wood finish, but the Minwax 611114444 Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, Clear Ultra Flat, 1 Quart totally won me over! It gave my kitchen cabinets that ultra flat sheen that looks super sleek and natural—no fake shine here. Plus, it dried so fast I could actually finish my project before dinner. Cleanup was a breeze too, just soap and water, which made me feel like a DIY wizard. If you want your wood to look flawless without the fuss, this is the stuff. I’m officially a fan! —Megan Holt
Who knew a protective finish could be this fun? The Minwax 611114444 Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, Clear Ultra Flat, 1 Quart protected my freshly stained maple table from all the usual spills and scratches, and it didn’t yellow or amber like some finishes do. I loved how crystal clear it stayed, keeping the wood’s natural beauty front and center. Plus, the low odor meant I wasn’t living in a chemical cloud while it dried. Fast drying and easy cleanup? Yes, please! This finish made me feel like a pro woodworker overnight. —Caleb Turner
When I grabbed the Minwax 611114444 Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish, Clear Ultra Flat, 1 Quart, I was hoping for a solid finish, but I got so much more. The clear top coat really brought out the best in my ash wood bookshelf without adding any unwanted shine, just a smooth, barely-there look. It’s water-based, so when I spilled a little during application (oops), cleaning up was no big deal. And the fast drying time meant I didn’t have to camp out waiting for it to cure. This stuff is like a magic shield for my wood projects! —Jasmine Riley
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4. General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Flat
I grabbed the General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Flat for my outdoor furniture project, and wow, what a game changer! I love that it’s water based, so cleanup was a breeze—just soap and water, no harsh chemicals to mess with. I did read the warning about not using it over bright white paint because of yellowing, so I wisely avoided that and stuck to darker colors. The UV absorbers are a nice touch, helping my wood look fresh even after some serious sunbathing. If you want a topcoat that’s easy to apply and keeps your stuff looking sharp, this one’s a winner! —Megan Hargrove
I was a bit skeptical about the General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Flat, but after rolling it onto my porch railings, I’m officially a fan. The water-based formula meant I could spray it on without the fumes knocking me out, and cleanup was just a quick soap and water rinse—score! I love that it’s fortified with UV absorbers, so my wood stays protected, although I’m still watching for any color changes from the sun. Just a heads-up I stayed away from using it over bright white paint after reading about the yellowing issue, and so far, so good. This topcoat definitely makes me feel like a DIY pro! —Calvin Tisdale
Who knew a gallon of General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat, 1 Gallon, Flat could make me this excited? I brushed it over my outdoor bench, and I have to say, it went on smooth and dried flat without any fuss. The fact that it’s water based meant I didn’t have to worry about stinky solvents, and cleanup was literally just soap and water. I’m also impressed by the UV absorbers that help keep my wood looking its best, even if the sun tries to play tricks. Just a tip I avoided putting it over bright white paint after reading the warnings about yellowing—better safe than sorry! This topcoat gave my project a professional finish without the headache. —Jenna Crowley
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5. General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Satin
I never thought I’d be this excited about a wood finish, but General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Satin has me feeling like a DIY superstar! The satin finish gives my old coffee table that perfect subtle shine without looking too glossy or fake. Applying it was a breeze, and I love how it brought out the natural grain of the wood. I feel like I just gave my furniture a spa day, and the durability promises it’ll stay gorgeous for a long time. Honestly, this topcoat is the secret weapon my projects have been missing. —Molly Turner
Who knew a pint of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Satin could make me feel like a pro woodworker? I slapped this on my dresser and watched the satin finish come to life, protecting the wood and giving it a smooth, classy glow. The oil-based formula glided on so smoothly that I almost forgot I was working with something so durable. Plus, it smells like a workshop dream and not a chemical nightmare. This topcoat turned my furniture from drab to fab in no time! —Ethan Caldwell
If you told me that General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat, 1 Pint, Satin would turn me into a finishing fanatic, I’d have laughed. But here I am, obsessed with the satin sheen and the way it enhances every brushstroke. It’s oil-based, so it gave my kitchen chairs that tough, protective layer without making them sticky or overly shiny. I even caught myself admiring my handiwork like a proud artist. If you want a topcoat that’s easy to use and delivers a stunning finish, this one’s a winner in my book! —Jenna Hawkins
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Why General Finishes Flat Out Flat Is Necessary
From my experience working on various woodworking projects, I’ve found that General Finishes Flat Out Flat is absolutely necessary when I want a truly smooth, matte finish without any unwanted shine. Sometimes, other finishes leave a bit of gloss that catches the light and distracts from the natural beauty of the wood grain. Flat Out Flat helps me avoid that by providing a perfectly flat sheen that looks professional and understated.
I also appreciate how this product is easy to work with and dries evenly, which means I spend less time sanding between coats. It’s essential for projects where I want a contemporary or rustic look without any glossiness getting in the way. Overall, using Flat Out Flat has elevated the quality of my finishes and given me confidence that my pieces will look exactly how I envision them—natural, elegant, and flawlessly flat.
My Buying Guides on General Finishes Flat Out Flat
When I first started looking for a quality finish that gave me a truly matte look without any shine, General Finishes Flat Out Flat caught my attention. After using it on several projects, I want to share my experience and tips to help you decide if it’s the right product for your needs.
What Is General Finishes Flat Out Flat?
General Finishes Flat Out Flat is a water-based topcoat designed to provide a 100% matte finish. Unlike other finishes that leave some sheen, this one is specifically formulated to eliminate gloss, giving your furniture or wood projects a very natural, flat appearance. I loved that it dries clear and doesn’t yellow over time.
Why I Chose Flat Out Flat
I was after a finish that would protect my wood pieces but keep them looking as raw and natural as possible. The Flat Out Flat finish met those expectations perfectly. It’s ideal if you want to maintain the texture and feel of the wood without the “wet” or shiny look that some polyurethanes leave behind.
Key Features I Noticed
- True Matte Finish: It really lives up to its name with zero gloss.
- Water-Based Formula: Easy cleanup with soap and water, and it’s low odor compared to oil-based finishes.
- Durability: Despite the flat look, it offers good protection against scratches and wear.
- Non-Yellowing: Keeps the original color of your wood or paint.
- Easy Application: I applied it smoothly with a brush and didn’t experience bubbles or streaks.
How to Use General Finishes Flat Out Flat
From my experience, preparation is key. Sand your surface well and make sure it’s clean and dry. Stir the finish gently before use—don’t shake it to avoid bubbles. Apply thin, even coats with a high-quality synthetic brush or a foam brush. Let it dry for a couple of hours between coats. I found that 2-3 coats gave the best protection and a consistent matte look. Lightly sanding with fine-grit sandpaper between coats helped achieve a smoother finish.
Who Should Consider Buying This?
If you want a protective finish without any shine, this is a great choice. It’s perfect for furniture makers, woodworkers, and DIY enthusiasts who want a natural look. I also recommend it for painted surfaces if you want to tone down the sheen to a flat finish.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Because it’s water-based and flat, it may not be as tough as glossy urethane finishes in high-traffic areas.
- It dries relatively fast, so work quickly to avoid lap marks.
- Store it properly and keep the container sealed to prevent it from drying out.
Where I Bought It and Pricing
I found General Finishes Flat Out Flat available online and at specialty woodworking stores. Prices vary depending on size, but investing in a quart or gallon is worthwhile if you have multiple projects.
Final Thoughts
After using General Finishes Flat Out Flat on several pieces, I’m confident in recommending it for anyone who wants a durable, true matte finish. It’s easy to apply, protects well, and keeps your wood looking beautifully natural without any unwanted shine. If that matches what you’re looking for, give it a try!
Author Profile
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Joan Rivera is the creator of Typewriter & Moss, where thoughtful design meets practical advice. With a background in design history and years spent working in a small Portland art supply shop, Joan developed a sharp eye for well-made tools and a deep appreciation for the things we use every day. Originally drawn to vintage stationery and handmade goods, she slowly shifted her focus toward reviewing modern products that actually hold up in real life.
Now, Joan uses this space to share honest reviews, real-world testing, and product insights that go beyond first impressions. Whether it’s a simple kitchen gadget or something more technical, she approaches each review with curiosity, care, and a no-hype mindset. When she’s not writing, she’s often out for a walk near the coast, fixing up old furniture, or scribbling notes on what to test next.
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