Epifanes Clear Varnish 1000 ml.

Why Epifanes Clear Varnish Is a Brightwork Standard

Epifanes Clear Varnish has earned its reputation among boaters and woodworkers around the globe as the benchmark for high gloss marine varnish. Its formulation, based on tung oil and phenolic-modified alkyd resins, produces a deep, lustrous amber finish that enhances the natural beauty of wood while providing serious protection against the elements. Whether you're finishing a mahogany companionway hatch or refreshing the teak trim on your cockpit coaming, Epifanes Clear Varnish delivers the kind of mirror-like gloss that turns heads at any marina.

Superior UV Protection for Canadian Conditions

Canadian boaters face a wide range of environmental challenges, from intense summer UV on the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast to the freeze-thaw cycles of spring and autumn. Epifanes Clear Varnish is loaded with UV absorbers that help prevent wood discolouration and film degradation. Its flexibility is specifically designed to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of wood, reducing the risk of cracking even as temperatures swing dramatically between seasons. For boaters in high-UV environments, the manufacturer recommends building up six or more coats for optimal protection.

Where to Use Epifanes Clear Varnish

This varnish is suitable for a broad range of above-the-waterline applications, both interior and exterior. It works beautifully on bare solid woods such as mahogany, meranti, and Oregon pine, as well as on marine plywood. Beyond new work, Epifanes Clear Varnish is also an excellent choice for maintaining existing intact varnish systems — whether one-component or two-component — regardless of the original brand. This makes it a versatile addition to any boat maintenance locker.

• New work on bare solid wood and plywood
• Interior and exterior wood above the waterline
• Maintenance of existing intact one- and two-component varnish systems
• Suitable for mahogany, meranti, Oregon pine, and other marine woods

Application Tips for a Flawless Finish

Epifanes Clear Varnish can be applied by brush or conventional air spray. For brush application, use a soft, long-haired brush (oval or full style) and thin with Epifanes Brush Thinner for Paint & Varnish as needed — up to 5% for build coats and up to 50% for the initial sealer coat on bare wood. For spray application, thin 15–20% with Epifanes Spray Thinner for Paint & Varnish, using a 1.2–1.5 mm nozzle at 2–3 bar pressure. Airless spray is not recommended.

A complete new-build system typically requires a minimum of seven coats: one thinned sealer coat, two intermediate coats with decreasing thinner ratios, and at least four full-strength build coats. Sand between coats along the wood grain, progressing from 220-grit dry for early coats to 400-grit wet for build coats. Avoid overbrushing, applying wet-in-wet, or varnishing in direct sunlight or excessive wind, as rapid solvent loss will reduce flow and levelling.

• Do not overbrush or apply wet-in-wet
• Avoid varnishing in direct sunlight or high wind
• Sand between coats along the wood grain
• Allow 24 hours between coats at 20°C / 65% relative humidity
• More coats provide deeper lustre and additional UV protection

Compatibility and Recoating

Epifanes Clear Varnish is recoatable with several products in the Epifanes range, including Epifanes Woodfinish Gloss, Rapidclear, Rapidcoat, Rubbed Effect Varnish, and Rubbed Effect Low VOC. This flexibility allows you to tailor your finishing system to the desired sheen and maintenance schedule. For maintenance of existing varnish, ensure the surface is well cleaned, degreased, and lightly sanded before applying fresh coats.

Storage and Shelf Life

When stored in a closed container in a dark location between 5°C and 25°C, Epifanes Clear Varnish has an approximate shelf life of three years. For Canadian boaters, this means you can confidently stock up and keep a tin in your workshop or boat locker for seasonal touch-ups without worrying about the product going off between seasons. Always ensure the container is tightly sealed after use to preserve quality.

Substrate Preparation

Proper preparation is essential for a lasting varnish finish. Bare wood must be dry, degreased, and sanded, with internal wood moisture content below 15%. For maintenance coats over existing varnish, the surface must be well cleaned, degreased, and sanded to ensure proper adhesion. Taking the time to prepare your substrate correctly will pay dividends in the longevity and appearance of the finished system.

Specifications

• Volume: 1000 ml
• Colour: Transparent amber
• Gloss Level: Ultra high gloss
• Type: One-component, oxidative drying
• Base: Phenolic resin / Alkyd resin / Tung oil
• Density: 0.92 kg/dm³
• Viscosity: 60 seconds ISO-cup 6 mm
• Solids Content: 50 ± 2 vol. %
• VOC Level: 382 g/litre
• Recommended Wet Film Thickness per Coat: 60–70 μm wet / 30–35 μm dry
• Theoretical Coverage: 14 m² (150 sq. ft.) per litre at 35 μm dry film thickness
• Dust Dry Time (at 20°C / 65% RH): 3 hours
• Sandable Time (at 20°C / 65% RH): 24 hours
• Recoat Time (at 20°C / 65% RH): 24 hours
• Application Temperature Range: 8°C minimum – 30°C maximum
• Relative Humidity Range for Application: 50% minimum – 75% maximum
• Application Methods: Brush, conventional air spray
• Spray Nozzle Size: 1.2–1.5 mm
• Spray Pressure: 2–3 bar
• Spray Thinning: 15–20% with Epifanes Spray Thinner for Paint & Varnish
• Brush Thinning (build coats): 0–5% with Epifanes Brush Thinner for Paint & Varnish
• Minimum System Coats (new build): 7 coats
• Shelf Life: Approximately 3 years (closed container, dark location, 5–25°C)
• Maximum Wood Moisture Content for Application: < 15%
• Available Sizes: 250 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml, 5000 ml

Key Features Summary

• Tung oil and phenolic-alkyd resin formula — produces a deep, rich amber tone that enhances natural wood grain
• Ultra high gloss finish — delivers a mirror-like lustre that elevates the appearance of any brightwork
• Built-in UV absorbers — protects wood from discolouration and film breakdown caused by sun exposure
• Excellent flexibility — moves with the wood through expansion and contraction cycles, reducing cracking in variable Canadian climates
• High build capacity — fewer coats needed to achieve a thick, protective film
• Superior flow and self-levelling — minimises brush marks for a smooth, professional result