TotalBoat Gleam Troubleshooting Guide

• Improper temperature or humidity
• Thinned with improper solvent material, or too much thinner.
• Applied too thick.

• The most common reason is that the product was applied outside of the normal application temperature and humidity range. Wait longer, the varnish will cure.
• Only use the specified solvents with this product. Do not use more solvent than specified. Brushing solvents will slow the rate of the varnish's cure.
• If the product is applied too thick, the solvents in the product take longer to evaporate and the coating takes longer to start to cure.

• Surface contamination
• An incompatible solvent was used with the varnish.

• Remove the uncured varnish. Follow the surface preparation instructions with more care and attention to detail. Reapply Gleam.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Gleam. 

Gleam peeled away from the substrate

• Improper surface preparation
• Not a compatible substrate
• Solvents were used that are not compatible with Gleam

• Poor surface preparation can leave surface contaminants that prevent Gleam from bonding to the substrate. Take extreme care when preparing the surface.  
• Only use Gleam on compatible substrates.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Gleam. 
• Remove any Gleam and start the surface preparation over, while taking more care.

• Thinned too much
• Thinned with a product that is not compatible
• Not enough coats to develop a high-gloss finish
• Moisture or dew settled on the surface before it was fully cured.
• Other contamination

• Do not over-thin Gleam. Thin as little as possible to promote the best gloss.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Gleam. 
• The gloss will increase with each coat applied. The more coats, the glossier the finish will be.
• Do not apply when high humidity, dew, or rain may be a factor.
• Protect the finish from any other contamination after the product is applied, Gleam should be tack free within about an hour, but is still susceptible to certain contaminants for up to 48 hours.

• Flattening agent material settled in the can.

• The flattening agent has a higher density than the rest of the varnish material, and can settle over time. Reach a paint stir stick to the bottom of the can to see if the flattening agent has formed a gel or putty type material on the bottom of the can. Shake or stir the product until there is no sign of the settled flattening agent. The varnish may also go from a deep amber appearance to a little bit more cloudy looking when the flattening agent is mixed back in.

• Surface contamination

• Grease, oil, wax, or other substances that are considered surface contaminants may repel the varnish. Remove the coating, if needed. Follow the procedures to thoroughly clean the surface appropriately before applying more varnish. 

• Applied too thick
• Improper thinning
• Use an appropriate brush for a finish coat.

• Applying thick coats can deposit too much of the flattening agent, leaving a streaky appearance. Always apply Gleam at the specified thickness.
• If conditions are not allowing the product to flow as desired, try to thin the product a little more.
• Always use an appropriate brush to promote the best finish. A higher bristle count will promote a smoother finish and less streaking of the flattening agent.

• Moisture emanating from the wood substrate, leaving white spots under the varnish
• If the satin finish product was used, the matting agent might not have been mixed in thoroughly.
• Satin finish used on bare wood, or wood that has not been properly sealed

• Wood must be completely dry, ideally less than 10% moisture content. If wood cleaners or teak cleaners are used, wait at least 5-7 days before applying any varnish products.
• When using the satin finish, use the gloss finish material to build sufficient coats. Only use the satin finish product on the final coat.

• Lid was not closed tightly.
• Product was stored for a long period of time without being used.

• Always close the lid completely after use.
• If the product is going to be stored for a long time between uses, using a product such as Bloxygen® to displace the air in the can first can help to prevent skinning over in the can.