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TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar Varnish

$29.99In StockSee Product Details

Home / Paints / Varnish

TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar Varnish Application - Rolling, Spraying and Brushing

TotalBoat

TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar Varnish

$29.99In StockSee Product Details

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Product Details Tech Specs Info & Guides Data Sheets

Product Details

TotalBoat Gleam Marine Spar Varnish features a premium tung oil formula, with a phenolic resin base and added UV inhibitors. It's ideally suited for clear coating on interior and exterior surfaces requiring maximum water & UV resistance.

Gleam was reformulated for improved overcoating & cure times, yields medium build per coat, with excellent flow-out, leaving a smooth, durable surface. It can be scuffed and overcoated faster than before to build gloss, as needed. For brushing, thin with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100; for spray application, thin with TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101.

Available in high-gloss and satin finishes that are weather resistant and easy to work with over new wood and previously coated surfaces.

Tech Specs

Item Number	Size	Finish
TB-3509	Pint	Gloss
TB-GLEAMGQ	Quart	Gloss
TB-GLEAMKIT-G-K	2-Quart Kit	Gloss
TB-GLEAMGG	Gallon	Gloss
TB-3510	Pint	Satin
TB-GLEAMSQ	Quart	Satin
TB-GLEAMKIT-S-K	2-Quart Kit	Satin
TB-GLEAMSG	Gallon	Satin
TB-GLEAMCOMBO-K	2-Quart Combo Kit (1 Qt. Gloss & 1 Qt. Satin)	Satin

Info & Guides

We've reformulated Gleam Satin and High-Gloss varnishes in response to customer reviews to make these formulas better than ever. They still have the same excellent self-leveling properties, and velvety, low-sheen or high-gloss finishes, but Gleam has improved overcoating and cure times so you can finish varnishing faster.

And the Satin varnish provides the same excellent level of UV protection as the Gloss varnish, so it's ideal on exterior as well as interior surfaces.

Gleam Gloss and Satin formulas are available in individual Pint, Quart Kit, 2-Quart Kit, and Gallon Kit sizes.

Our New Combo Kit Creates a Satin Finish with Greater Clarity

You told us you love Gleam's velvety satin finish, but want better clarity. So we've put together a combo kit containing 1 quart of Gloss and 1 quart of Satin that lets you build gloss coats to protect and showcase the wood grain, then finish with a couple of coats of satin to get the smooth, beautiful, non-gloss finish you desire. For the gloss/satin combo kit, select TB-GLEAMCOMBO-K from the product list.

An Easier, Faster Way to Apply Sealer Coats

Bare wood, especially plywood, is very porous and needs to be sealed before applying build and finish coats of varnish. If not, the initial coats of varnish soak into the wood, requiring more varnish (and more money) to apply enough build coats until the surface is uniformly level enough for the final coat of varnish. With unsealed oily woods like teak and mahogany, the varnish's viscosity will not allow it to penetrate the wood grain and adhere properly, which will eventually cause it to lift and ruin the finish—and all your hard work.

For this reason, the first few sealer coats of varnish are typically thinned in order to penetrate and seal the wood. These sealer coats take time to apply, time to dry, and must be sanded between coats. Now there's an improved way to apply sealer coats.

TotalBoat Wood Sealer, is easier and faster than using un-thinned varnish for sealer coats. It seals bare wood grain and smooths the surface on all types of wood, doesn't require sanding between coats, and dries more quickly than thinned varnish. And unlike other wood sealers, it contains UV blockers that protect your beautiful varnish finish down to the wood surface. TotalBoat Wood Sealer is clear, so it enhances the beauty of the wood grain and the varnish finish. TotalBoat Wood Sealer (sold separately) is compatible with 1-part varnish, and is ideal for use with TotalBoat Gleam and TotalBoat Lust varnish finishes. Refer to the Gleam Tech Data sheet for details on using TotalBoat Woods Sealer with Gleam.

Technical Information

Recommended Thinning for Brush/Roller Application

First Coat on Bare Wood: Reduce 25% with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100
Additional Coats: Gleam doesn't require added thinner after the first/seal coat, for most brushing applications, but if desired, reduce 5- 10% with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100
NOTE: Do not over-thin Gleam, as it will extend dry times, and will reduce the overall gloss level of the finish.

Recommended Thinning for Spray Application

First Coat on Bare Wood: Reduce 25% with TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
Additional Coats: Reduce 10- 20% with TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101

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

Data Sheets

TotalBoat Gleam Tech Data

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Additional Gleam Spar Varnish Information

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Reviews

Rating Snapshot

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163 reviews with 5 stars.

29 reviews with 4 stars.

8 reviews with 3 stars.

4 reviews with 2 stars.

11 reviews with 1 star.

Overall Rating

4.5

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1 to 10 of 215 Reviews

1 – 10 of 215 Reviews

Westfield, MA

5 out of 5 stars.

Excellent Product

6 months ago

I love using Gleam Spar Varnish on outdoor products. I am very picky about what I will use and sell to my customers... My customers expect high quality and durability. The storm door shown below went to a customer on Cape Cod who lives near the water, a very harsh environment. It is made with 1 1/4"" ribbon sapele mahogany. They are very happy with their door. Peter, buzzardsbaywoodshop.com

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Wilson, NC

5 out of 5 stars.

Good product I will continue to use in the future

7 months ago

I finish a lot of exterior doors and entrance frames, and do some boat work. I used Total Boat Gleam to finish two store fronts, lots of Sapele with an already rich color, the finish went on easy, dried quickly and sanded well

Helpful?

3 out of 5 stars.

Streaky

8 months ago

I found that no matter what I used to apply it it had a streaky look to it

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atlanta, ga

1 out of 5 stars.

no

8 months ago

followed your info on doing 4 coats of gloss and 2 coats of satin on a front exterior door. The satin is still very glossy. NOT sastin at all. Is there an easy fix to get rid of the gloss?

Helpful?

Barnstable, MA

5 out of 5 stars.

Great Product

8 months ago

Easy to apply and multiple recoats without sanding is huge.

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Oradell NJ

5 out of 5 stars.

ABSOLUTELY

9 months ago

Easy to use. Able to do multiple coats in a day. Fantastic finish. My forever go to varnish.

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Greater Boston

5 out of 5 stars.

As advertised

9 months ago

Went on smoothly and excellent finish. Very happy with the results. Just follow the directions.

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North GA

5 out of 5 stars.

I would buy this product again

10 months ago

I used Gleam on a bench refinish project. I am very happy with the finish.

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Connecticut

5 out of 5 stars.

Great Product

10 months ago

Making an outdoor cook worktable for my daughter. Not finished yet. Will update.

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Brooklyn

5 out of 5 stars.

Great Product

10 months ago

Used the Wood Sealer Varnish Primer and the Gleam Marine Spar Varnish matte finish and the result was fantastic! Also used a stain before the finish was applied.

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1 – 10 of 215 Reviews

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Questions

1 - 10 of 76 Questions

Q: If I purchase gleam quart gloss/satin combo Saturday night when is the quickest I can get it delivered to Beaufort sc.

11 months ago

1 Answer

A: Hi there! Shipping to South Carolina generally takes about 3 business days.

11 months ago

Helpful?

Q: What stains types/brands work best with Gleem.

a year ago

1 Answer

A: TotalBoat does not test stains for compatibility. However, you should be able to use it with the Interlux and Epifanes stain listed on this website. Whatever stain you use you should do a test piece following directions provided under the product support tab at the top of the screen.

a year ago

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Q: Sanding off old varnish from wood transom. Boat located in So. Florida. Which would work better; Gleam or Halcyon

a year ago

4 Answers

A: I love Gleam Have not tried Halcyon so cannot comment Pete G ?

a year ago

Helpful?

Q: When spraying, what is the typical coverage for a quart and a gallon of TotalBoat Gleam?

a year ago

2 Answers

A: 80-100 square feet per coat per quart and 320-400 square feet per coat per gallon

a year ago

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Q: I purchased Gleam 2.0 with the intention of varnishing the ash gunwales on my canoe. The gunwales were oiled with Watco Danish oil over 1 yr ago, but does not hold up well to the outdoor elements. What is the proper prep before applying Gleam 2.0, I have sanded off as much as possible already.

a year ago

3 Answers

A: Mario,I've had some experience with overcoating a Watco finish with solvent-based (""oil-based"") varnish.I have successfully applied solvent-based varnish over Watco coated walnut. Since Watco is a polymerizing penetrating coating, it's important to be sure the Watco is fully cured, but if a year has passed since its application, that shouldn't be a problem. Based on my experience, I'd say go for it! Good luck.

a year ago

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Q: Is Gleam a good choice for use on a cedar plank floor in a 3 season porch? It gets some rain, snow and sunshine through the screened windows. I've looked at several exterior varnishes and polyurethanes and all are not recommended on floors.

a year ago

1 Answer

A: Hey Eldin. Thanks for asking. The reason most varnishes are not recommended for floors is usually because the high gloss finish can be very slippery. Gleam gloss will have this same issue, but the satin will be less slippery than gloss and could be used as a top coat to reduce sheen and slip. However, it's still important to use good judgement, especially in high traffic areas, and also to remember that varnishes are not generally suitable for water exposure for over 24 hours, so you'll need to make sure water and snow don't accumulate on the surface and sit for a prolonged period.

a year ago

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Q: I plan on putting the Gleam 2.0 over the outside of my drift boat. Can you paint over the Gleam 2.0 with Wet Edge topside paint?

a year ago

2 Answers

A: Hi Walter. Thanks for reaching out. Yes, you can paint over Gleam 2.0 with Wet Edge, but if you haven't applied either yet, only one is necessary. To use Wet Edge over Gleam, let the Gleam fully cure for 5-7 days, then sand the surface lightly with 220 grit and clean with denatured alcohol before applying Wet Edge.

a year ago

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Q: Can I brush coat gleam 2.0 spar varnish on wood in 55-58 degree outside weather or do I need to wait 2 weeks or longer until weather temps reach 65+ degrees outside? I'm not working in a controlled inside environment. Thanks

2 years ago

2 Answers

A: Generally the best option is to wait for ideal conditions but you can apply Gleam in 50 degree weather. It will extend the cure time. Start early to take advantage of the warm part of the day. If temp drops below 50 while curing it may not set up. Sometimes it helps to use spraying thinner instead of brushing thinner in cold temps.

a year ago

Helpful?

Q: I could tell the can wasn't full. gleam 2.0 . Anybody else notice only 26 oz. in the quart?

2 years ago

1 Answer

A: I've purchased Gleam varnish several times & the can has always arrived ""full to the brim"" Very Truly Yours,Robert 

2 years ago

Helpful?

Q: I'm interested in refinishing a park bench with wooden ""slats."" also, a 100+ year old bench swing with wooden slats. What refinishing process should I use? I see maybe the penetrating sealer may be the first step in the process. I'm also interested in a satin finish, not gloss. Is that available? Thanks, Bob

2 years ago

1 Answer

A: I had the same problem with a much more contemporary park bench that took a lot of Florida sun. I used satin marine spar varnish as you suggest you might do. It worked well for about five years and now needs to be re-done if I want to keep the bench. The wood deterioration stopped. You will definitely need at least three coats, the first to seal the wood, the second to smooth the surface, and the third to begin making it look good. If you love it, you might go to five or six coats. If it gets a lot of sun exposure, plan on re-doing the project in 5 years.

2 years ago

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1 - 10 of 76 Questions

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