Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Used it to finish a log section end table. It flowed on smoothly and left a very nice shiny finish.
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I gave it a 4 because the first time I used it, I applied at full strength and it only last two years and then cracked and turned ugly. This time I started with 50/50 mixture (50% thinner) and gradually increased it on each application to 70/30, 80/20 for the finished coat. I also upgraded the brush to professional and it appears to have made a hugh difference in smoothness and final finish. I wet sanded with 800 sandpaper between each coat. Now, we'll see how long it last, however, it does look like glass now.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Very clear - little amber color. Levels out fairly good. Watch air temp and humidity. Do not go back over after you have moved on to another area. Drags very quick after laying down. Has a plasticy feel but looks good.
[0 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
So I am very happy and satisfied with the product,[...]
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I am using this to refinish the neck of an 80's era electric bass that was finished at the factory with a conversion varnish. Adhesion is good, the coats sand off VERY nicely. Too early to tell but all indications are that I made the right choice with Epifanes.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
A good test for this product in SW Montana.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Best UV protection of any varnish I have used. Follow recommendations on thinning and don't try to apply too thick of a coat at one time
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
This product was recommended by a highly recognizable west coast furnature builder. This product is being used on a wooden west facing church cross in the midwest. The UV protection is a must.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Relatively easy to use and provides great coverage and gloss
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Used this varnish as the base coats on western red cedar for a deck. It really brought out the natural beauty and color of the wood, and provided an excellent base for another good varnish product that is less expensive.
Overall, this is the best thing you can do to show off the grain, color and texture of wood.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I needed something to seal a hand-painted patio table. i used indoor/outdoor paint for my design and tried to seal it with a poly. the poly was horrible. it was cloudy and although it was a "high gloss" finish, it wasn't very shiny. after researching like a mad woman, i found "the wood whisperer" and he recommended this stuff for outdoor use. it was a bit expensive, but well worth it. the minute i applied it, i KNEW it was what i was looking for. i have applied three coats (each thinned with mineral spirits) and it is SO glossy and PERFECTLY clear. i am a very happy woman! i have received so many compliments on my newly finished project!
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I have been hard at work for the last 6 months (with 6 months to go it would appear) revarnishing the interior of a new to me Oyster 55 sailboat. The interior is all teak and appears to have the original varnish surface.After some detailed discussions with Epifanes (they were VERY helpful) I developed a plan for for the following build up.1) Minimum of 3 to 4 coats of gloss varnish - First coat thinned 25% applied over a moderately sanded surface with 220 grit agressively brushed to fill holidays - Second coat thinned 10% applied over a lightly but completely sanded surface aggressively brushed to fill holidays - Third coat lightly thinned applied carefully over a moderate to harsh sanding to get flatness. - Fourth coat of gloss varnish if necessary to get complete coverage2) Minimum of two coats of Rubbed effect Varnish applied over a 320 sanded surface thinned lightly.The result for interior varnish is a finish which has almost identical tone to the original finish but has a depth and richness which is amazing. Almost perfect coverage with no holidays. The sanding for the final two coats does not take long and if there is any question about being good enough a quick sand with 320 and an additional coat does not take long.Note that the rubbed effect varnish appears to be rather sensitive to humidity and temperature and can become cloudy (although a quick sand and refinish seems to clean it up)Good brushes are a must!For pictures take a look at[@]
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Brush application was very easy when properly thinned. I used it on a Adirondack chaise lounge I made for the wife. Now I'll see how well it performs over time.
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Epiphanes reputation speaks for itself. Many have commented that it is too thick and hard to spread out evenly. It does need to be thinned or at the very least have Epiphanes own flow enhancer added. It makes all the difference to leveling and smooth application.
[5 of 5 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
This is the finest spar varnish by far. It is quite thick, and the first few coats must be diluted so a small can covers a larger area than typical competitors products. The smoothest surface I have ever seen, absolutely clear. I tried it because it was rated highest in Fine Woodworking and it exceeded my expectations. I use no other brand.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I used this varnish to finish a cedar hose box for the backyard. We live in the hot Arizona desert and needed good protection for the wood. It was easy to apply each coat. The finish is beautiful. We chose Epifanes because it was highly recommended.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
This product is far superior to any product that I have used for exterior varnish, sun/weather protection. The product brushes on thicker, but the dried first coat is 8 times thicker than the "standard" exterior product available from the consumer "home" stores. I am using this on a Oak front door facing the west sun. Two or three coats look to be suitable to handle the solution for three plus years. Previous used products would only work for 9 months.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Have used this product for years, primarily on exterior brightwork ( teak ) on my sailboat. On one occasion after sanding and applying coat no. 6 of 8 on fresh bare wood, I had just finished the last brush stroke when it started to rain a torrential downpour. Water was running off the deck with the irridescence of oils from the product. I went home disgusted for the week returning the following weekend to only impact damage to latest parts of the varnish surface, which was remedied by a little extra sanding. There was no clouding or discoloration, and the final result was perfect after 8 coats. It enjoyed any numbers of boating seasons ( in Maine) with only seasonal maintenance coats .It is the best.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Thanks to reviews in wood working books, this has proved to be the best. But the price, was high. Thanks for providing it at almost half. My hot tub is on life extenion for many years. And it looks great. As always prep is 90% but the finish this product provides is long lasting. Years not one. It is hot and dry here. RwB
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Unlike many on here I used Epifanes for something other than watercaft. I have a house on the water with 4000 sq ft of tongue and grove all the way around. It was originally finished with 2 coats of Helmspar 5 years ago. The varnish now looks horrible and is peeling on more than 50% of the wood.
Epifanes goes on like butter when thinned and has the consistency of molasses straight out of the can (versus Helmspar's water like feel). I would guess that 1 coat of Epifanes is as thick as 1.5-2 coats of cheaper brands. The gloss is outstanding. The higher cost of this brand compared with the box stores brands of varnish end up being much cheaper when you factor in how often you have to re-varnish the cheaper brands and they amount of additional hours of sanding to take off the flacking.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I use this product for refinishing exterior wood doors. I have yet to see another product hold up to Epifanes. Jamestown has the fairest pricing I have found.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I have used thhis product before for exterior doors and it works well for that as well. For brightwork on a boat there is none better than epifanes.
floorboards and trim finished with epifanes clear
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
We use this product on our reproduction Speedliner racing boats and have received many accolades for the gloss finish. It is very easy to work with if you follow the directions. Aeroliner
One of our C racing runabouts
Tags: Made with Product, Speedliner Boats, Aeroliner Race Boats
Speedliner Corsair Model 510
Tags: Speedliner Boats, Aeroliner Race Boats, Picture of Product
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I'm a professional furniture refinisher. I use this product on all of my exterior doors that I refinish. Excellent product and would recommend it to anyone.
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
used for building 1936 Ford Woodie Station Wagon. Good stuff but does not seal edges of plywood well - even 3-4 coats. Water incursion.
1936 Ford Woodie Station Wagon
Tags: Made with Product
1936 Ford Woodie Station Wagon
Tags: Coated with Product
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I felt like a Dutch Master painter in Harlem. This product is like no other; I finally spent the money to get the best. It is a timeless smell and feel of the North Sea in a can. First coat 75% strength and it went on like magic. Looking forward to seeing how it stand up to the Coast of Maine on the North Atlantic.
[4 of 4 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I hate varinishing. That is why I use Epifanes. This product will last for years outside and virtually forever indoors. Varnishing is never easy. But when you have to do it, use the best product available. Surface prep remains a must and every hour you spend in preparation will save you hours during the process. I recommend at least three coats for a deep, rich shine. In fact, the doors pictured below have three coats. These doors were oiled years ago and a couple had been contaminated with silicone. This is normally disaterous, but after three coats, the fisheyes were gone, the grain filled in and the surface is nearly dead flat even though I did not use any grain sealer. The gloss is outstanding! Prepare the surface, apply one coat of thinned varnish. It does not thin well with mineral spirits. Epifanes thinner works best. Then sand between coats, work the varnish in well, tip it once and let dry. Runs can be removed with a sharp chisel or scraper. The doors pictured required about 4 ouunces per door per coat, but I know I will never need to refinish them again.
Four shiny teak doors
Tags: Made with Product, Only threee coats
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I've used this varnish now for three years. This spring I'm going to apply a new coat of epifanes clear to my hatch boards. I haven't touched them in three seasons and they still have a high gloss. I reccomend this varnish to anyone, wanting a hard, durable finish!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I have a 45 foot custom S&S and it took me forever to get the "feel" of the varnish/thinner mix but I've been very happy with the product after getting that down. Be sure to mix completely. I also use their extender (longer brushing time) in moderation (so it won't kill the gloss). Build-up is good but I still put down 8-10 coats or more for a glass finish. No matter what varnish you use, the prep before the first coat & using a stiff foam sanding block between coats is of most importance. I also hang my brushes in diesel when not in use.
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
This is the third year we've used Epiphanes Clear Gloss for our 25' Lyman. We use only the best products to maintain Dad's baby, Big Happy II. As a do-it-yourselfer, I like the smooth finish and fantastic results it provides. It works best on horizontal surfaces and sands evenly between coats.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
I tried other varnishes on my canoe paddles,Epifanes went on easier,dried in 24 hrs,resanded and added more coats,and is durable.I finished my guide boat in 2004 ,and will redo it this spring for the first time since then.
Tags: Made with Product
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
Brushed on many coats interior and exterior teak; also HVLP sprayed on 20 coats on exterior teak of wooden yawl. Holds up better than other products used on Gulf Coast.
S/V Air Shows off brightwork
Tags: Results of Product
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Epifanes Epifanes Gloss Clear Varnish:
In all fairness I'm using this product to waterproof a heat shrink dacron rowing skiff. I'm finding it runs like crazy, not matter how rhink you brush it out. But it leaves a very good, hard finish when it finally dries.