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TotalBoat Halcyon Marine Varnish

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TotalBoat Halcyon Clear Marine Satin Varnish

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Product Details

TotalBoat Halcyon Marine Varnish is an innovative varnish that creates a hard, gloss, or satin finish on brightwork, without the painstaking prep, long dry time, tedious sanding & noxious fumes associated with most varnishes. 1-part low-VOC formula offers powerful UV protection to prevent yellowing. Flexible finish prevents cracking & lifting due to temperature changes.

Cures harder than most 1-part varnishes, with superior abrasion, scratch & solvent resistance. It dries fast–recoat in 1 hr @ 72°F, with no sanding between coats. Resealable Pour Pak™ prevents skinning & waste. Soap & water cleanup.

Choose Halcyon (clear amber gloss), Halcyon Clear Gloss or Clear Satin in Pint, Quart and 4 Quart Sizes. NOTE: Satin is not available in a 4 Quart Size.

Tech Specs
Technical Specifications Halcyon Varnish
Thinning Not required, even for the first coat. However, to help create a desired flow, thin with water up to 20% maximum.
Cleanup Soap and water
Application Method Brush, roll & tip, or spray
Application Temperature 50-90°F; 0-90% RH (relative humidity)
Number of Coats (Minimum) 2-3
Accelerated Application If desired, apply a maximum of 5 coats per day. Always wait 12 hours between applying Halcyon and sanding.
Tack-Free Time to Recoat 1 hour at 72°F
Overcoat Without Sanding Up to 12 hours
Coverage 40-50 sq. ft./pint; 80-100 sq. ft./quart
Cured Color Halcyon (clear light amber); Halcyon Clear Gloss or Satin (ultra clear)
Finish Gloss or Satin
Gloss DOI (Distinctness of Image) >90% @ 60°; >77% @ 20°
Info & Guides

No long wait. No sanding. No fumes. No waste or mess.

In our continuous quest for a better marine varnish, we've developed TotalBoat Halcyon, a quick-drying, rapid-recoating, eco-friendly, durable, gloss varnish that takes brightwork finishing to the next level. Its low-VOC, low-odor formula makes it easier than ever to get a nice, even gloss or satin finish on both interior and exterior wood surfaces.

Halcyon dries super fast and doesn't require sanding between coats (for up to 12 hours), so you can apply up to five coats in one day to finish varnishing faster and set sail sooner. The low VOC content limits exposure to you and to the environment, and the low odor makes Halcyon great for use indoors, in shops, or on interior woodwork. Its maximum UV protection, flexibility, and abrasion resistance make it great for exterior woodwork, too.

Available in clear amber gloss, clear gloss, and clear satin finishes. 4 Quart Size is available for Clear Gloss and Clear Amber Gloss.

Our original Halcyon formula cured crystal clear, abrasion resistant, and UV stable. But many of you told us that, while the clear finish was good for some applications, you preferred a more classic, clear amber finish on brightwork. We heard you, and we created a formula with the beauty of a traditional marine spar varnish, but one that cured with greater clarity, abrasion resistance, and UV protection. The clear amber gloss formula goes by the name Halcyon, and the clear gloss formula is called Halcyon Clear. You loved our gloss formulas, but told us it'd be great if we could make a clear satin finish. We're happy to announce that new Halcyon Clear Satin is now available. Each Halcyon gloss formula is designed so that the more coats you apply, the greater the depth, beauty, gloss, and durability. The satin formula is best used as the finish coat over build coats of Halcyon Clear Gloss or Amber Gloss. These innovative marine varnishes are very easy and fast to apply, quick to dry, easy to sand, and clean up fast with just soap and water.

The beauty is in the cured finish

At first, Halcyon varnishes may look a little odd and seem a little different because they come in a bag, don't smell like varnish (don't stink!), and with their milky-white color, don't look like varnish. Until they dry very quickly to a beautiful, even gloss.

  • Compared to oil-based varnish, Halcyon varnishes don't need thinning—not even for the first coat—because they dry phenomenally fast, and don't have to be sanded between coats. They also dry completely clear and hard, but flexible so there's no yellowing, chipping, cracking, or peeling.

  • Compared to synthetic marine wood finishes, Halcyon varnishes can be applied over existing 1- or 2-part varnishes in good condition, they're very scratch resistant, abrasion resistant, and remain clear & glossy, without looking cloudy or muddy after multiple coats. Halcyon varnishes also offer greater UV protection.

  • Compared to water-based marine polyurethane varnishes, Halcyon Gloss and Satin varnishes can be applied to interior and exterior wood surfaces.

Important application note for Halcyon Clear Satin

It is strongly recommended to use Halcyon Clear Gloss or Amber Gloss for build coats, and only use Halcyon Satin as a final coat, to ensure the best finish and depth.

Technical Information

Halcyon Varnish Features

  • Clear amber gloss (Halcyon), Clear gloss (Halcyon Clear Gloss), and Clear satin (Halcyon Clear Satin) finishes accent wood grain and character.
  • Hard, UV-stable, finish is abrasion, solvent, and scratch resistant.
  • For interior & exterior (exterior above waterline) on all types of wood.
  • Convenient, resealable bag makes it easy to pour and easy to store.
  • Won't skin over in the cup while you're using it, or in the bag while you're storing it.
  • One-part formula is easy to use, no mixing or measuring.
  • No mess, easy soap and water cleanup, and no waste.
  • Low-odor, low-VOC formula is eco-friendly and user-friendly.
  • Choose from Clear Gloss and Amber Gloss - Pint, Quart and 4-Quart Sizes; Clear Satin - Pint and Quart Sizes

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including n-methylpyrrolidone, which is known to the State of California to cause developmental toxicity. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

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Reviews

Rating Snapshot

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226 reviews with 5 stars.
36 reviews with 4 stars.
18 reviews with 3 stars.
7 reviews with 2 stars.
6 reviews with 1 star.

Overall Rating

4.6

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Filter Reviews

41 to 70 of 293 Reviews
41 – 70 of 293 Reviews
RI
5 out of 5 stars.

I bought to try out, it worked as advertised; bought more.

a year ago
Working on boat at mooring, which makes water/soap cleanup particularly helpful. Multiple coats in a day is a great feature.
Helpful?
San Diego, CA
5 out of 5 stars.

Will definitely use Halcyon again

a year ago
Water solvent and rapid build up of coats make this a very easy and forgiving varnish.
Helpful?
Bentonville AR
1 out of 5 stars.

NO! Brush Marks are impossible.

a year ago
i used this product to finish an outdoor table. The table is 20"" wide by 90"" long. The product dries SO FAST, that you can't brush it on from one end to the other without it becoming tacky on the original end. It is also impossible to keep brush marks out of the final dry. I even switched to rolling it with a cabinet grade sponge roller and still had roller marks. Also it covers about 1/3 to 1/2 of the suggested square footage listed and requires at least 8 coats to build any amount of a protection layer.
Helpful?
Lexington, NC
5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

a year ago
I refinished the bright work on a small sailing dinghy. Easy to apply, dries quickly and has a great finish. Was able to put six coats in short order. Sanded before the last two coats with 320 grit and it looks flawless.
Helpful?
Newburyport, Ma
2 out of 5 stars.

Too hard to achieve good flow

a year ago
Required a very thick coat to eliminate brush marks and obtain a smooth coat. I was unable to get satisfactory result except on horizontal surfaces. Had to choose between Drips and sags or brush marks on vertical surfaces
Helpful?
Akron ohio
5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

a year ago
Used on white oak treads and risers. Product works great, but you have to work fast, and use a bit more product than you think if you're used to working with oil based varnishes. I'm not sure if I'd use this product with huge surface areas that need multiple wet edges with longer working times
Helpful?
Narragansett, RI
5 out of 5 stars.

Pour your varnish

a year ago
Unscrew the cap and pour and not waste a drop. I like how the product spreads, it's quick drying, and does not require sanding in between coats. I am a a repeat customer.
Helpful?
North East Pa.
5 out of 5 stars.

Nice finish

a year ago
It left a really nice clear finish, very pleased, coated over epoxy resin and did a good job, on my wood project, I only used this because my wood project will be outside and I needed the UV blocker to help keep the epoxy from yellowing. I applied 6 coats, one thing though, it says that you can reapply after 1 hour when dry, well it took about 3 hours to dry and the room was at 78 degrees other than that I would purchase again.
Helpful?
Westchester, New York
5 out of 5 stars.

Fantastic Results

a year ago
Critical component in restoring a marine teak dining table. Easy to use, great results!!
Helpful?
Annapolis, Maryland
5 out of 5 stars.

Easy to use, fast dry, easy to clean-up.

a year ago
Makes the whole job easy. Five coats of varnish in one day. Lasts longer than other varnishes even in harsh salty and sunny conditions. Brushes clean in soapy water! This is a miracle product.
Helpful?
Virginia
5 out of 5 stars.

Good Product

2 years ago
This is easy to use. The fast drying time makes multiple coats possible in a single day with no sanding required until the final coats.
Helpful?
Vancouver, Washington
4 out of 5 stars.

So far, so good!

2 years ago
This may well be my ""go to"" Marine Varnish. I used a 3inch hard foam roller and was able to recoat in about 1 1/2 hours. Day one I put down 5 coats. I let it dry 24 hours, sanded with 300 grit sandpaper and applied 3 more coats. Really like the pour bag instead of a can. It's still not a spray smooth finish but the closest I've come with a brush or roller. I also like it's glossy but not plastic looking. It would be 5 stars except I haven't tested the durability.
Helpful?
28773
5 out of 5 stars.

Love this product

2 years ago
Used this product to weatherproof a barn quilt that I made.
Helpful?
Indianapolis
5 out of 5 stars.

Impressed with Halcyon Varnish

2 years ago
Used on various skiff parts, tiller, oarlock mounts, rudder head, mast partner, etc. Easy to apply, easy to build coats with the fast drying. No nasty smell lingering for hours. Easy clean up. No runs. Just don't overwork, as it will show minor brush strokes. Have yet to see how its longevity compares with regular varnish. So far, impressive.
Helpful?
New York
5 out of 5 stars.

EASYCleanup

2 years ago
Product rolls out flat with slight stipple BUT self levels as it dries. No chemicals needed for clean up, brushes and rollers cleanup with water and are ready to use again. Highly recommend this from a former LUST enthusiast.
Helpful?
Lockport, NY
5 out of 5 stars.

Excellent product.

2 years ago
I liked this product because it was easy to apply and finished my mahogany project beautifully.
Helpful?
Grosse Ile, Michigan
3 out of 5 stars.

Not for me

2 years ago
I should have used a foam brush. Halcyon drys too fast for a traditional badger hair brush. Left brush marks which were hard to sand out. I'll stay with Captain's or Schooner. Who's in a hurry anyway?
Helpful?
Maize, KS
5 out of 5 stars.

super product

2 years ago
easy on and smoothed out wonderfully. Better w/ thin layers, and I did sand lightly after each application but not necessary Love the water clean up and not bad smelling either if indoors
Helpful?
Michigan
5 out of 5 stars.

Always buy this

2 years ago
I just made a counter top used it on it and never had something look so good. My next project is gonna be my boat, and do all the teak on my deck.
Helpful?
Virginia
5 out of 5 stars.

Will use again

2 years ago
These new waterborne products are a real game changer in my opinion. Recoat time, clean up, VOCs etc. even the packaging is user friendly. Application is so much better than less expensive finishes so Halcyon unless I see anything better is my go to.
Helpful?
Atlanta
5 out of 5 stars.

Exactly what it says it is

2 years ago
Dried fast. Went on smooth. Nice gloss finish. Used it on exterior wood doors -hoping it resists the sun here in Atlanta!
Helpful?
Southern Oregon
5 out of 5 stars.

My new go to varnish.

2 years ago
Not only easy to apply, and apply, and apply in one day, but forgiving as well. Results of application by a first timer are excellent. Finish is clear, hard and glossy. Now we'll find out how it wears.
Helpful?
Northern Kentucky
5 out of 5 stars.

Easy to use. Easy to clean up. Winner winner!

2 years ago
I used this on a live edge maple slab coffee table. It goes on with ease and cures quickly. I applied 3 coats.
Helpful?
Grosse Ile Michigan
3 out of 5 stars.

I prefer traditional varnish

2 years ago
I put 3 coats on the decks in one day and it worked like instructions said. I rolled and tipped with a friend helping, only problem was it left brush marks. Dryed too fast. Might have been temperature or maybe I should have thinned it 20%. I prefer traditional varnish. I would recommend to a friend after experimenting a few more times.
Helpful?
Sarasota, FL
5 out of 5 stars.

Excellent product

2 years ago
I used it for interior, no issues. The exterior is a little different. I have a 1989 Grand Banks, the previous owner did a BAD paint job on teak cap rail. I sanded all the old paint off: 400 to 100 to 150 to 220. I'm in the Sarasota area, so had to wait for multiple days of dry weather to make sure teak is dry, that's critical. I found that putting on 2-4 coats, THEN letting it cure for 72 hours, then sanding as recommended before the last 1-2 coats, gave the best finish.
Helpful?
Beverly MA
5 out of 5 stars.

Yes

2 years ago
Easy to apply and clean up. Looks great. Used on a beadboard plank ceiling.
Helpful?
Milfford Ct.
5 out of 5 stars.

Great stuff

2 years ago
I used it for the wood on a bench I made. I goes on easy and looks great!!!
Helpful?
Akron Ohio
5 out of 5 stars.

My new go to finish

2 years ago
I put this finish on a walnut carving and I couldn't be happier. I let it sit overnight before the second coat. It has the perfect satin finish. Makes me look professional.
Helpful?
Wisconsin
5 out of 5 stars.

Awesome top coat

2 years ago
The finish is exactly what I wanted— slightly shiny but leans more toward the matte side of things. Has almost no odor. Water clean up only. I don't like that it's packaged in a bag though. They say this is to prevent any waste but I poured a portion in a separate container to work with and always had left overs. I would pour as much as I could back into the bag but definitely wasted some of the product. I've never had issues with waste with clear coats in a can.
Helpful?
Alexandria, VA
2 out of 5 stars.

Does NOT hold up over time

2 years ago
I'm really surprised to see the number of favorable reviews for this product, at least for exterior use. I tested Halcyon Clear alongside a polyurethane varnish on the same piece of mahogany, 7 coats of each, and left it out in my back yard for six weeks. The polyurethane held up fine, but even just six weeks later Halcyon clear had faded to a tepid beige. I've attached before and after pictures. I know the product information claims it provides UV protection but in my experience that's dubious. Maybe it works better on other kinds of wood. I saw a few reviews that said it worked well when using a polyurethane for build coats and Halcyon for the final/finish coats, but I don't see what the benefit is there.
Helpful?
41 – 70 of 293 Reviews

Questions

1 - 10 of 117 Questions

Q: Would this product be a good choice for a DIY vintage truck bed project, material is red oak, and it has recently planed and is ready for sanding and treatment. I like the fact that it cleans up well and has low odor.

3 months ago
3 Answers

A: No, in my application the (exterior) product did not last more than two years. I have gone back to traditional marine varnish.

3 months ago
Helpful?

Q: Can Halcyon marine varnish be applied over decoupage?

4 months ago
2 Answers

A: Good success using this product on various wood projects in terms of final film quality. The collapsible package preserves contents, and being water based it is user friendly. Paper? based projects (eg. decoupage) of course may be more affected by a water based product, but I do not anticipate fundamental problems. An air brush or airless sprayer for larger projects is probably easiest application method for complex, delicate work, and would minimize water based effects. CDunnrowicz Santa Cruz, Ca.

4 months ago
Helpful?

Q: Can Halycon be applied over urethane products?

5 months ago
1 Answer

A: Hey there, thank you for reaching out. Typically it can once the urethane is fully dried and prepped per previously coated instructions. It can of course vary with different brands, so we always recommend testing first.

5 months ago
Helpful?

Q: I am going to be foam brushing Halcyon clear gloss on a wood slab coffee table and do not want brush strokes. While I have learned that the first coat should be thinned to help penetration, can I thin the remaining coats as well? What is the recommended (distilled) water-to-Halcyon ratio? Thank you for your time, concern and prompt reply, Mark Talmo

7 months ago
1 Answer

A: You can thin with water but the ratio will vary depending on the tools you are using and environmental conditions. Halcyon dries very quickly so generally is best to lay it on a little thick, don't spend too much time brushing the varnish and let it level itself off. I use foam brushes myself but you can also get excellent results if you spray it.

7 months ago
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Q: What is the coverage area for one quart of the halcyon for one coat?

7 months ago
1 Answer

A: 100 sq feet / coat

7 months ago
Helpful?

Q: When do you expect Halcyon Clear Satin Varnish to be available again?

8 months ago
1 Answer

A: Hey Steve, thank you for reaching out. Halcyon Satin is currently available

8 months ago
Helpful?

Q: What is the color chart included on the website images for the Total Boat TB-7712 TOTALBOAT HALCYON CLEAR RUGGED GLOSS VARNISH representing? Do multiple coats turn darker over time? Is that what it's showing? Is there any way to avoid this? I'd like to maintain the natural color of the door. I've already applied the first coat of gloss and like it but I don't want it to get any darker with additional coats. Thank you for your help!

10 months ago
1 Answer

A: The piece in the photo is a display used at live events so customers can see both the color and the sheen in person. The left panel shows the light amber gloss. The middle panel shows the clear gloss. The right panel shows the clear satin. More coats of clear should not change the color. Most varnishes and urethanes will change color slightly as they age. That's why it's important to do regular maintenance coats to refresh the top layer.

10 months ago
Helpful?

Q: I noticed several users mentioned sealing prior to applying Halcyon. Is sealing necessary?

a year ago
1 Answer

A: Hi Jeffrey. Sealing is optional. It's not required, and if you don't want to purchase the sealer separately or wait for it to cure, I recommend thinning your first coat or two of Halcyon 30% with water to allow it to soak in and seal the grain a little on its own.

a year ago
Helpful?

Q: I used this product on some teak furniture I restored and it looks great. Very easy to use also! Since I had some left over I tried applied to an outdoor end table. I'm not sure what kind of wood, it's something softer and fine grained. The 2 coats looked great. I waited several weeks before I decided to apply more coats. The coat I applied 3 weeks later is peeling off. Should I have applied all the coats within a few days or is something else going on? It all looked great until I noticed some residue on the surface. I scraped it with my fingernail and most of it is coming off. Any ideas what I did wrong?

a year ago
1 Answer

A: If you wait longer than 12 hours to recoat, you should sand with 320 grit. When properly sanded the surface should look like a frosted mug,

a year ago
Helpful?

Q: I'm just finishing a teak furniture project using Epifanes Woodfinish. I just ran out of Epifanes and after learning about Halcyon this sounds like a better way to go so I'm buying some for my next project. Can I finish the current project with Halcyon? I only have some small bits to complete and they are on the backside/inside of the chair so not a big deal if the finish doesn't match. Thank you!

a year ago
6 Answers

A: You're right, they're not gonna match. you didn't say if the Epifanes is gloss or matte . . . if its gloss, the Halcyon will never match because the Halcyon is water based and is by nature a satin finish. As far as I know, no one has been able to make a high gloss water based varnish no matter what the advertising says. My only problems with Halcyon . . . 1. Certain chemical cleaning products will soften it . . . 2. It has a shelf life; once you open the container, use it all . . . 3. No Gloss! . . . 4. doesn't wear as well as Spar varnish.

a year ago
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1 - 10 of 117 Questions
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