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TotalBoat Halcyon Marine Varnish

$22.99In StockSee Product Details

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TotalBoat Halcyon Clear Marine Satin Varnish

TotalBoat Halcyon Clear Marine Gloss Varnish: Same Great Product, Fresh New Look!

TotalBoat

TotalBoat Halcyon Marine Varnish

$22.99In StockSee Product Details

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Product Details Tech Specs Info & Guides Data Sheets

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

Data Sheets

Halcyon Marine Varnish Tech Data

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More Halcyon Marine Varnish Information

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Reviews

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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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71 to 100 of 293 Reviews

71 – 100 of 293 Reviews

Arlington, WA

5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

2 years ago

I am very pleased with this varnish. It spreads easily, dries fast and is water based for easy clean up. No sanding between coats and looks great.

Helpful?

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

3 out of 5 stars.

White chunks

2 years ago

My past orders included a couple sifting funnels this last order didn't and I had a problem. I do 2 coats of gloss and then a final coat of satin and table is done except for maybe a little polishing. My final satin coat had lots of little white chunks in it ??? ( I properly kneaded bag ) thought after it dried they wouldn't show up as I couldn't pick them all out. Nope little white dots all over. Had to sand it off and start over. Grrr. Threw the $37 bag away not to mention the half a bag of gloss I also sanded off

Helpful?

Lafayette,LA

5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

2 years ago

This is a great product. I have used it to finish the top of a desk I made. The surface is hard and the finish is nice. The application is a lot easier and quicker than other finishes. Well worth the money.

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Cape Cod

5 out of 5 stars.

Packaging

2 years ago

Wish that Halcyon SATIN was available in a smaller size like the GLOSS is.

Helpful?

Anonymous

Indiana

5 out of 5 stars.

Clear fast curing easy sanding water base finish

2 years ago

Halcyon clear we love it on Mahoghany pour fills nicely. But beware of Halcyon amber it cost me $5000.00 refinishing job had to do over because there was an pigment or dye undisolved in the finish that made it hazy. We did a Mahoghany table top and withthe dark background you could see close up the slight yellow specks.

Helpful?

Vancouver, WA

5 out of 5 stars.

I love this varnish

2 years ago

I used this varnish to refinish an outdoor table top. My husband (then boyfriend) made it for me during the time of Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding, it has been in constant use since then and needed some TLC! This varnish was so easy to use and gave a flawless finish. My one disappointment is for a satin finish it came out awful flat. Easily remedied by a coat of semigloss spar varnish. Am now going to use it on an old deck stool that I am refinishing where I do want a flat finish. Great product and I love the packaging.

Helpful?

Holden, MO

5 out of 5 stars.

Awesome!

2 years ago

Great exterior finish!

Helpful?

Bakersfield, CA

5 out of 5 stars.

I am a return buyer of this product when I need a tough clea

2 years ago

I have used Halcyon for a garden bench, table tops, and a rr tie fireplace mantle. All worked great and I will use it again.

Helpful?

Rensselaer, NY

5 out of 5 stars.

easy to work with

2 years ago

I bought this because I've been trying to migrate to water-based products but couldn't find one worthy to stick with until Halcyon. I have been able to obtain some really nice finished surfaces brushing it on. I use about four coats of Total Boat Gleam on bare wood first for the tint I like, then sand, and put down eight to ten coats of halcyon amber over top. I don't have durability data yet, But JD folks say it is very durable.

Helpful?

New York

5 out of 5 stars.

Fantastic Results

2 years ago

Used to refurbish an outdoor picnic table. Easy to use, great results!!!

Helpful?

Cheshire, CT

5 out of 5 stars.

Great Product, Great Customer Support

2 years ago

I used this product to solve an exterior finish issue on my new custom Spanish Cedar front door. The original finish used by the builder failed after only a little over one year. After doing some extensive internet research, I contacted Jamestown Distributors and they recommended I use Halcyon since the original finish was a water based finish. The technical support team also took me through the best process to end up with a beautiful satin finish (hint: 6 coats of gloss, scuff, and 2 coats of satin). They also recommended I use badger hair brushes which I would now highly recommend. Ease of application and quick drying time allowed me to refinish the door in two days (8 coats). The brushed on finish leveled nicely with no drips (it looks like it was applied with a sprayer). I sanded the original finish, touched up the stain and removed the hardware so I could finish the door in place, all of which worked out great. I now plan to do maintenance coats as required to maintain the look of this door for years to come. The product is so easy to use that it should no big deal to keep the door looking great.

Helpful?

Chetek, WI

4 out of 5 stars.

Worked well on a wooden truck bed.

2 years ago

Worked well on a wooden truck bed. Applied over enamel paint on rough sawn pine. Went on smooth and stayed smooth. No bubbles no issues. Dried fast and consistent. Was able to put on multiple coats during the course of one day. Used the gloss on early coats and flat on the last.

Helpful?

K.C. MO

5 out of 5 stars.

Awesome!

2 years ago

Looks great, durable, a must have for outdoor wood signs.

Helpful?

Massachusetts

5 out of 5 stars.

Great varnish

2 years ago

I started by just doing my hatch boards, and they still look like they were freshly done after a year. Now I am starting to do more of the teak on the boat and love the ease of application. The fact that it comes in a bag means that I can squeeze the air out to prevent it from skinning over in the container, but you have to be careful with the bag (when transporting it) because it's not as tough as a can would be.

Helpful?

Clayton, NY

2 out of 5 stars.

It could be me, but...

2 years ago

I failed to get a good finish with Halcyon. I'm not new to wood and metal finishing. I've repaired and spray-finished auto body work. I've rebuilt and painted half a dozen motorcycles. I've finished furniture and our 1929, 29-ft power boat. Everthing I tried yielded runs or orange peel from spraying, or brush marks from bristle brush or poly brush. As I said, it could be me but Halcyon and I just don't get along. Where the finish came out smooth and glossy, the stuff looked remarkable. I only wish I was able to get that finish over a whole surface. The containers are great. The clean up is a breeze. Don't let my failure keep you from trying it. Clearly other have used it successfully. Not this old dog.

Helpful?

New Bern, NC

5 out of 5 stars.

Professional quality

2 years ago

We use this Varnish to protect Fiberglas project statues exposed to extreme heat and winds.

Helpful?

ARIZONA

4 out of 5 stars.

WORKS GREAT

2 years ago

YOU NEED TO USE MULTIPLE COATS TO GET THE GREAT SHINE A LIGHT BUFFING WITH A PAPER BAG BETWEEN COATS HELP

Helpful?

Columbus Ohio

5 out of 5 stars.

Amazing

2 years ago

This stuff was great used it on a few boards for distribution and switch panel. Turned out amazing. Really enjoyed not having to wait a long time to put another coat on and it all turned out amazing.

Helpful?

Mt. Juliet TN

5 out of 5 stars.

Wait and see

2 years ago

Used on my front door that is exposed to the elements. Looks very good. Have to wait and see how it holds up.

Helpful?

Cape Coral, FL

4 out of 5 stars.

Decent results

2 years ago

I got a nice finish after so many coats I lost count. I am unable to get it perfect as there's always a dry spot (semi-shinny) somewhere on the table. Is it my technique, or does it just dry too fast to work the product? I was applying it inside the boat with the AC on at about 73 degrees and low humidity.

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Westbrook Ct.

5 out of 5 stars.

Old Teak, Old Friend

2 years ago

I just completed applying 10 coats of Halcyon Varnish to very seasoned teak. The boat is a 1976 Robalo 20' center console, which I purchased new in October of that year. This is starting her 46 season and she still is a head turner. The ease of application stands out, the ability to apply multiple coats a day achieved the depth I was looking for in a couple of days. There was a bit of a learning curve for me as the wet edge disappears in about a minute. I found roll and tip method worked the best. I also finished it off with a 50/50 mixture of amber gloss and clear satin to achieve the look.

Helpful?

Louisville, KY

4 out of 5 stars.

I was pleased with the outcome

2 years ago

I had one problem. Varnishing a lazy susan, i guess i applied it too liberally, and found drips on the underside that had to be scraped off, and had to start over.

Helpful?

5 out of 5 stars.

Superior product

2 years ago

Never cared for water based clear coat until your product apply easily I dont think you can get any. Glossy than that super high gloss great. Product

Helpful?

Detroit, Michigan

5 out of 5 stars.

Halcyon Clear Varnish works well.

2 years ago

My project was to restore a high gloss varnish finish to the toe rails of my Chris Craft Roamer. After lightly sanding with 320 sandpaper I could only apply 2 coats in the afternoon due to the fact that the boat is stored in a heated storage facility in Michigan that only regulates the inside temperature between 50/52 degrees. At that temp the first coat was still too sticky to apply the second coat until after about 2 hours. The next day I managed 3 coats; one coat every 2 to 3 hours without having to sand between coats. I followed those coats up with 2 coats of Epifanes high gloss varnish having to sand between coats each day.

Helpful?

St cloud, MN

5 out of 5 stars.

BEST Varnish ever.

2 years ago

My husband used this on a beautiful cedar table top he made for our pontoon. Our pontoon came with a flimsy plastic table top so he decided to make a more sturdy wood table. We did alot of research online for the perfect varnish that wouldn't change the color yet provide protection from the sun and water. I called customer service and asked for a recommendation on which product would be best. They were so helpful! The representative I spoke with was very knowledgeable about each product. The varnish was easy to work with too which was a huge plus. We applied 3 coats - it exceeded our expectations. What a great company!!!

Helpful?

Raleigh NC

5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

2 years ago

I used this product on the handrail of my deck. I held up well to weather and bird droppings. This varnish is a great protector of outdoor wood. My wife intends to coat our wooden park bench with this varnish soon.

Helpful?

Denver, CO

5 out of 5 stars.

durable finish

3 years ago

I purchased Halcyon Marine Varnish 8 months ago to refinish two teak tables that are outside all year. I was impressed with the easy to use and store container and the ease of coating the table tops with multiple coats. I refrained from writing a review until I saw how the finish held up to 90+ degree summer days, rain, drying , snow , winter sun and the harsh conditions in Denver. I am very pleased that this finish out performed every other product I have used over the last ren years and remains in excellent condition this spring. The varnish stores so well I will use a single recoat after light sanding to keep the finish looking great for another season.

Helpful?

Portland Maine

5 out of 5 stars.

I have bought this product in the past and will continue to

3 years ago

Works great, I use it to build coats and finish with 2 coats of spar varnish

Helpful?

Charleston, SC

5 out of 5 stars.

I do like this varnish

3 years ago

I really like this varnish, and was hesitant the first time I tried it.. It has a bit of a soft patina after a year in the sun - clear and the wood really stands out - but it doesn't look like its wet like typical varnish. Absolutely the easiest varnish i have ever applied with no bubbles, drips or streaks. I had one area at the bow that seemed to peel (almost like skin after a sunburn!) But I'm pretty sure that was a prep error on my part, i had fabricated a 2'"" thick piece of teak, and perhaps it wasn't fully cured or cleaned before the application. the other areas are awesome. This batch will be used for the annual overcoat - so we will see how it works on top of an older layer.

Helpful?

Tacoma, WA.

5 out of 5 stars.

Total Boat Varnish with 2 sheen level options

3 years ago

After watching a Jamestown video, I chose to go with the Halcyon Amber Gloss varnish, to blend the existing color variations in the wood. For the interior of the boat, I completed the project with a couple of coats of the Halcyon Clear Satin. I'm extremely happy with the satin finish, let it sit for a couple of days, as it will get smoother and more consistent. The exterior will be completed when the weather improves. Notes: I had better luck applying with a foam roller and tipping with a foam brush. The varnish does set up quickly, so the foam roller allowed me to apply a larger area in a short time frame. Because of the low VOC's all the removable wood panels were varnished inside my warm home and my wife did not say a word!

Helpful?

71 – 100 of 293 Reviews

Questions

1 - 10 of 117 Questions

Q: null 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.

4 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.

4 months ago

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Q: null Can Halcyon marine varnish be applied over decoupage?

4 months ago

2 Answers

A: I've only used it on wood, but I would see no reason why it wouldn't be able to be used except for the fact that it is water base. I think it might affect paper the way water would, versus how an oil base would.  ?

4 months ago

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Q: null 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: null 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: null 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: null 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

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Q: null 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: null 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: null 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: null 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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