The first one-part, high-gloss marine spar varnish that can be rapidly recoated without sanding between coats. Apply up to 5 coats in 1 day. Cures to a rich, warm amber. Great UV protection and gloss retention. Also available in matte.
Description
We named this product Lust because we had a rabid desire to create a one-part, high-gloss spar varnish that was super glossy, flowed well, could be hot-coated, and didn’t need sanding between coats.
Until now, only synthetic finishes mimicking the appearance of varnish allowed multiple coats without sanding. They are popular not for their finish quality, but for their ease of application and time savings. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s no substitute for the timeless beauty of real varnish. Until now, achieving such a finish meant lots of time and energy spent applying multiple coats and sanding between each.
We concocted, we tested and retested, and Lust was born. We were driven by our lust for Lust, you might say. Its unique linseed oil modified polyurethane formula and its rapid recoating capability can’t be found in any other marine varnish.
Build multiple coats quickly so you can see the shine sooner and finish the job faster
Lust has a viscosity similar to traditional European varnishes. But unlike traditional European varnishes, it can be recoated in as little as one hour at 72°F. And again, without requiring sanding between coats. The gloss improves, layer by layer. A total of 6-8 coats provide the best UV protection and the highest gloss. If you prefer a matte finish, Lust Matte provides a smooth-as-satin finish that downplays the shine and lets the natural beauty of the wood speak for itself.
Lust High Gloss Spar Varnish puts the bright in brightwork
Lust High Gloss dries fast, hard, and wet-looking. The finish is smooth and durable, with a gloss level so shiny it looks wet, even when it’s dry — making it ideal for brightwork. To protect that glossy amber sheen, Lust is heavily fortified with UV stabilizers. Just as the gloss becomes glossier layer by layer, the UV protection becomes stronger as more coats are applied.
TotalBoat Lust Varnish Details
Innovative one-part marine spar varnish allows rapid recoating with no sanding needed between coats.
Recoat in just 1 hour @ 72°F.
Gives all types of wood greater depth and a rich, warm, amber finish.
For interior and exterior use.
Finish: Ultra-High Gloss or Matte
Color: Clear Amber
Size: Both finishes are available in Pint, Quart, 2-Quart, & Gallon sizes.
For a matte finish with greater clarity and depth, Lust is also available in a High Gloss & Matte 2-Quart Combo Kit that includes 1 quart of Lust High Gloss Varnish and 1 quart of Lust Matte Varnish. Apply the high gloss varnish first to create build coats that showcase the beauty of the wood grain, then overcoat with a couple of coats of matte varnish to remove the gloss and achieve a gorgeous matte finish. In addition, Lust High Gloss and Lust Matte are now available in 2-Quart kits—buy 2 and save!
Important Application Notes for Lust Matte: For a low-sheen finish with maximum clarity, we recommend using Lust Gloss or Gleam Gloss for sealer (base) and build coats. Finish with a topcoat of Lust Matte, which can be thinned with TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 (brush/roll appication) or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 (spray application) for improved flow.
Look Who’s Using Lust
n the December/January 2020 issue of Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Peter Gedrys, a finishing expert in East Haddam, CT, says he got great results brushing TotalBoat Lust on a piece of veneer plywood.
Peter says, “Right off the bat, I found that the varnish had good flow characteristics. Overall, Lust is an easy product to work with…the cost is in line with premium alternatives and the dry time is faster.” You can read the complete article in the SPEC section, Great Finds Inspired By Our Best Houses (issue #288).
“Made to improve on slow-drying spar varnishes, this modified linseed oil polyurethane is a worthy competitor.” – Peter Gedrys, finishing expert.
Application Film Thickness: 1-2 mils dry @ 3 mils wet
Typical Wet-Edge Working Time: 5 minutes
Total Number of Coats: 6-8 (minimum)
Recommended Number of Coats per Day: 2-3 light, smooth, even coats per day for two to three days. Up to five coats can be applied in one day under optimal conditions. See Technical Data for application details.
Hint: TotalBoat Wood Sealer can also be used on new wood before applying Lust to avoid any reducing and mixing on the first coat. Simply add 2-3 coats of TotalBoat Wood Sealer on sanded and cleaned bare wood, allow to dry for 24 hours, then apply Lust as directed in the Technical Data sheet.
PHYSICAL DATA
Color: Clear amber
Finishes Available (Gloss % @ 60°): Gloss: Greater than 92%, Matte: 10-20%
Coverage (@ 3 mils wet): 360-400 square feet per gallon; 80-100 square feet per quart; 40-50 square feet per pint
UV Stable: Yes
Food Safe/Food Contact Safe (Once Cured): No
PRIMER, THINNER, PREP & CLEANUP SOLVENTS
Primer: TotalBoat Wood Sealer can also be used on new wood before applying Lust to avoid any reducing and mixing on the first coat. Simply add 2-3 coats of TotalBoat Wood Sealer on sanded and cleaned bare wood, allow to dry for 24 hours, then apply Lust as directed in the Technical Data sheet.
Cleanup solvent: TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
HOW IT COMPARES
Lust Rapid Recoat Marine Spar Varnish
Best for:
Finish:
Color:
Application methods:
Application temperature/RH:
Number of coats:
Thinner:
Cleanup:
Coverage:
UV resistant?
Units of measure:
THIS ITEM
Lust Rapid Recoat Marine Spar Varnish
Best for:
Rapid recoating, without sanding between coats. Great for brightwork, wooden canoes and kayaks.
Finish:
High Gloss, Matte
Color:
Clear amber
Application methods:
Brush, Roll, or Spray
Application temperature/RH:
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
Number of coats:
6-8 coats (minimum)
Thinner:
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
Cleanup:
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
Coverage:
360-400 sq ft/gal @ 3 mils wet
UV resistant?
Yes
Units of measure:
High Gloss or Satin - Pint, Quart, Gallon, 2 Quart Kit; High Gloss and Satin - 2 Quart Combo Kit
Gleam Marine Spar Varnish
Brightwork on boats, strip canoes, kayaks
Gloss, Satin
Clear amber
Brush, Roll, or Spray
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
4-6 (minimum)
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101 for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
360-400 sq ft/gal @ 3 mils wet
Yes
Pint, Quart Kit, 2 Quart Kit, Gallon Kit
Halcyon Water-Based Marine Varnish
A natural-looking finish on brightwork, wooden canoes, kayaks, signage, artwork. Easy cleanup with soap and water.
Gloss, Satin (Low Sheen)
• Halcyon Amber Gloss - Clear gold/amber • Halcyon Clear Gloss - Clear, with very slight amber undertones • Halcyon Clear Satin - Clear, with very slight amber undertones
Brush, Roll & Tip, or Spray
50-90°F; 0-90% RH
2-3 (minimum)
Water (up to 20%, but is usually not needed)
Mild soap and water
80-100 sq ft/qt @ 3 mils wet
Yes
Pint, Quart, 4 Quarts. NOTE: Satin finish is not available in a 4 Quart size.
Wood Sealer Varnish Primer
Pre-varnish treatment for 1-part varnish. Seals wood so varnish is available for the finish coats - no sanding needed between coats.
Gloss
Clear amber
Brush, Roll, or Spray
45-105°F; 0-85% RH
2-3 (typically)
TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100, for brushing and rolling applications; TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101, for spraying and cool weather brushing/rolling applications
TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep or TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 or TotalBoat Spray Thinner 101
60-100 sq ft/qt @ 3 mils wet
Yes, but needs to be coated with varnish.
Quart, Gallon
VIDEOS
Watch More Videos
Comparing Different Varnishes For Your Boats Brightwork
What is the difference between high gloss and matte TotalBoat Lust Varnish?
TotalBoat Lust Spar Varnish creates a high-gloss finish. Lust Matte is not intended for use as a base coat. For a low-sheen finish, we recommend using Lust Gloss or Gleam Gloss for sealer (base) and build coats. Finish with a topcoat of Lust Matte.
Can Lust Varnish be used to overcoat non-varnish wood finishes?
Yes. Lust is compatible with marine wood finish products and ‘rapid’ application wood finishes commonly used in the marine industry as varnish alternatives.
Can I overcoat Lust Spar Varnish with other varnishes?
Yes. Many customers use Lust for the build coats, and finish off with a different 1-part varnish to match the finished look they have on their boat. Note that we do not recommend applying 2-part varnish over Lust.
Can Lust be applied over other varnishes?
Yes. Lust can also be applied over other cured varnishes (both 1 and 2 part urethane) in good condition. Lightly scuff with 320 grit sandpaper and apply.
Can this marine varnish be applied over wood oils?
Customers often ask if this varnish can be applied over teak oil, penetrating oil stains, shellac, lacquer, and other finishes. In general, we recommend using this varnish over bare wood or existing varnish finishes in good condition.
Can it be applied over wood stain?
Yes, Lust can be applied over wood stain, but it is highly recommended to always make a sample piece and see if there are any incompatibilities.
Is Lust a hard enough finish for use on a table top or coffee table?
While TotalBoat Lust will create a beautiful finish on all kinds of wood, epoxy is more durable and we recommend TotalBoat Tabletop Epoxy for bar top and table top applications.
Can Lust be used as a clear coat over paint?
We do not recommend using Lust as a clear coat over paints, whether 1-part polyurethane or other types of finish. It is not a clear finish, to begin with. However, can be used over epoxy.
Does Lust Spar Varnish dry clear, or does it have a color?
Lust will dry to a deep clear amber color. It is not a clear finish.
What is the best way to apply this varnish?
You can apply by brush, roll and tip, or spray. When spraying, reduce 25-100% with xylene, as conditions and spray equipment will dictate, but less reducer will yield higher gloss.
Do you need to thin Lust?
Thinning is recommended for initial sealer coats. Alternately, use TotalBoat Wood Sealer Varnish Primer in lieu of thinned varnish. After seal coats are applied, thinning is not necessary, but you may reduce up to 25% to improve flow or extend working time.
How long do I have to wait before applying another coat?
Lust Varnish lets you recoat in 1 hour (at 72 F), letting you apply up to 5 coats in one day. If applying 4 or more coats in one day, wait up to 48 hours before sanding and applying subsequent coats.
Do I need to sand between coats?
No. We do recommend sanding before the final coat before the smoothest possible finish.
What is the typical coverage?
The coverage for Lust Varnish is between 360-400 sq ft per gallon.
What is the temperature range for application?
Lust will cure when the product, application surface, and outside/ambient temperatures are as low as 45°F. However, you will achieve the best results when temperatures are between 60°F and 100°F.
How do I maintain the varnish finish over time?
To maintain the best finish and clarity, annual maintenance coats are recommended for brightwork exposed to UV rays. Sand lightly with 320-grit sandpaper or a Scotch-Brite pad, remove sanding residue, and apply maintenance coats.
How do you clean brushes after varnishing with Lust?
We recommend TotalBoat Special Brushing Thinner 100 for varnish cleanup, including brushes and painting tools.
