High-quality, one-part marine spar varnish provides a beautiful, long-lasting polyurethane finish with maximum UV protection and water resistance on brightwork on boats, strip canoes, kayaks and more. Available in high gloss and satin. Forgiving formula makes great results easy to achieve.
Both finishes bring out the best and keep out the worst
Gleam Spar Varnish has clear gloss and satin finishes that enhance the shine and durability of the surfaces they’re applied to. Gloss Gleam is very shiny and very smooth. It’s a little easier to clean, which makes it great for hand rails and trim. Satin Gleam brings out the natural beauty of the wood grain with a finish that’s much less shiny but no less durable. Satin was designed to boost the beauty of interior woods. It can also be used on deck areas that may become slippery when wet. Both Gleam finishes seal the beauty in and block the ravages of sun and moisture.
Flows well and spreads smoothly and evenly
This one-part marine varnish goes on easily, without much thinning. More solids are applied to the surface, resulting in a more durable, UV-stable coating that lays down flat with fewer air bubbles to knock down by tipping. Unless you’re in extreme temperature conditions, you should only need to thin the first coat as a sealer coat.
Build luster coat by coat
As layers of Gleam Marine Varnish are applied, the finish depth increases. This smooth surface can be sanded between coats and overcoated to build gloss or depth as needed, one coat at a time. Maintaining the finish is easy, too. Just apply a few maintenance coats every year to varnished areas that are exposed to direct sunlight.
Gleam Varnish Details
Classic Tung oil marine spar varnish with high solids content creates a deep, radiant, durable finish.
Easy to apply, with smooth flow out on wood and previously painted 1-part varnish in good condition.
Improved Gleam formula features higher build per coat with excellent flow-out, plus faster overcoating and cure times.
Color: Clear amber
Type/Size: Available in Gloss and Satin, in Pint, Quart, 2-Quart Kit, and Gallon sizes
For a satin finish that has even better depth and clarity, Gleam Marine Spar Varnish is also available in a Gloss & Satin 2-Quart Combo Kit that includes 1 quart of Gleam Gloss Varnish and 1 quart of Gleam Satin Varnish. Apply the gloss first to create build coats with superior depth and clarity of the wood grain, then overcoat with a couple of coats of satin to knock down the gloss and achieve the desired velvety satin finish.
Application hint: TotalBoat Wood Sealer can also be used on new wood before applying Gleam Marine Spar Varnish to avoid reducing on the first coat. Simply apply 2-3 coats of TotalBoat Wood Sealer on sanded and cleaned bare wood, allow to dry for 24 hours, and apply Gleam.
PHYSICAL DATA
Finishes (Gloss %): Gloss >90%; Satin 20-40%
Color: Clear amber
VOC Content: Less than 475 g/L
UV Stable: Yes
Food Safe/Food Contact Safe (Once Cured): No
Coverage: 360-400 square feet per gallon @ 3 mils wet
PRIMER, THINNER, PREP & CLEANUP SOLVENTS
Primer: TotalBoat Wood Sealer (optional)
Thinner: TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
Surface Prep Solvent: TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 or Denatured alcohol (bare substrates only) or Acetone (bare substrates only, but specifically recommended for use on oily hardwoods or bare white oak substrates)
Cleanup Solvent: TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
HOW IT COMPARES
Gleam Marine Spar Varnish
Best for:
Finish:
Color:
Application methods:
Application temperature/RH:
Number of coats:
Thinner:
Cleanup:
Coverage:
UV resistant?
Units of measure:
THIS ITEM
Gleam Marine Spar Varnish
Best for:
Brightwork on boats, strip canoes, kayaks
Finish:
Gloss, Satin
Color:
Clear amber
Application methods:
Brush, Roll, or Spray
Application temperature/RH:
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
Number of coats:
4-6 (minimum)
Thinner:
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
Cleanup:
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
Coverage:
360-400 sq ft/gal @ 3 mils wet
UV resistant?
Yes
Units of measure:
Pint, Quart Kit, 2 Quart Kit, Gallon Kit
Lust Rapid Recoat Marine Spar Varnish
Rapid recoating, without sanding between coats. Great for brightwork, wooden canoes and kayaks.
High Gloss, Matte
Clear amber
Brush, Roll, or Spray
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
6-8 coats (minimum)
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
360-400 sq ft/gal @ 3 mils wet
Yes
High Gloss or Satin - Pint, Quart, Gallon, 2 Quart Kit; High Gloss and Satin - 2 Quart Combo Kit
Halcyon Water-Based Marine Varnish
A natural-looking finish on brightwork, wooden canoes, kayaks, signage, artwork. Easy cleanup with soap and water.
Gloss, Satin (Low Sheen)
• Halcyon Amber Gloss - Clear gold/amber • Halcyon Clear Gloss - Clear, with very slight amber undertones • Halcyon Clear Satin - Clear, with very slight amber undertones
Brush, Roll & Tip, or Spray
50-90°F; 0-90% RH
2-3 (minimum)
Water (up to 20%, but is usually not needed)
Mild soap and water
80-100 sq ft/qt @ 3 mils wet
Yes
Pint, Quart, 4 Quarts. NOTE: Satin finish is not available in a 4 Quart size.
Wood Sealer Varnish Primer
Pre-varnish treatment for 1-part varnish. Seals wood so varnish is available for the finish coats - no sanding needed between coats.
Gloss
Clear amber
Brush, Roll, or Spray
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
2-3 (typically)
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100, for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101, for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
What is the difference between Gleam varnish and Halcyon varnish?
Gleam is a traditional oil-based boat varnish available in gloss or satin finish. Halcyon is a water-based polyurethane varnish available in clear gloss, light amber gloss, and satin finish. Gleam provides the classic rich, warm amber appearance of European finishes, but improves upon them by eliminating sanding between coats and drying far faster.
Can I apply Gleam Marine Spar Varnish directly over epoxy?
Yes, but make sure to first wash the epoxy with water and scrub clean, then rinse and dry in order to remove any amine blush, then sand smooth, remove any sanding residue and then apply varnish. Amine blush, a byproduct of most epoxies’ curing process, will otherwise compromise the varnish’s ability to bond to the epoxy.
How do I apply this varnish?
You can apply by brush, roller, or spray. To achieve desired flow when brushing, 5-10% TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 may be necessary in warmer conditions over 75°F. When spraying, reduce 10-20% with TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101.
How much coverage will I get per gallon of varnish?
The coverage for varnish is 360-400 sq ft per gallon at 3 mils wet.
How many coats of varnish should I apply?
A total of 4-6 coats will provide the best finish and depth; the more coats, the better the finish.
How long should I wait to re-coat?
It depends on temperature and humidity. Gleam can be overcoated much sooner than other common varnishes. You may re-coat after 1 hour at 80°F, 3 hours at 65°F, or 8 hours at 50°F.
Can the TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar Varnish be used over stained surfaces?
Yes, but the stain must be thoroughly dried and the surface should be cleaned with denatured alcohol prior to application. If possible, we recommend trying a test piece to make sure the two products are compatible.
Is there a difference in application between Gloss and Satin finishes?
Gloss can be built up to a desired finish and depth. Satin applications should be built up using Gleam Gloss, and directly prior to the final coat, sand lightly with 320-grit sandpaper, and finish with one or two coats of Gleam Satin. Important: Do not build coats with Satin.
Does this varnish dry clear, or does it have a color?
TotalBoat Gleam marine spar varnish will dry to a classic clear amber gloss similar to the distinctive finish of the best European spar varnishes.
How do I maintain varnished surfaces?
Gleam may be cleaned with any mild all-purpose boat soap, such as TotalBoat Boat Soap, and water. For the best results, apply 1-2 annual maintenance coats for exterior applications to maintain the finish appearance and UV protection.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including toluene, which is known to the State of California to cause reproductive toxicity. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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