TotalBoat Halcyon Troubleshooting Guide

• Improper temperature/ 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. Under extremely humid conditions, the water in Halcyon is not able to evaporate at a normal rate, and this slows the cure.
• Only use water to thin this product. Do not use more water than specified. Adding water may extend the cure of Halcyon.
• Halcyon can be applied heavier than most other varnishes, but if the product is applied too thick, the water will take longer to evaporate and the coating can take much longer to cure.

• Surface contamination
• Incompatible solvent used with the varnish.

• Remove the uncured varnish. Follow the surface preparation instructions with more care and attention to detail. Reapply Halcyon.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Halcyon for thinning or surface preparation. Using alcohol or any other solvents besides water as a solvent wipe on previously applied Halcyon, within 48 hours of application, can soften or prevent Halcyon from curing properly. If this occurs, completely remove the Halcyon that has not cured properly and start over.

Halcyon varnish peeled away from the substrate

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

• Poor surface preparation can leave surface contaminants that prevent Halcyon from bonding to the substrate. Take extreme care when preparing the surface.  
• Only use Halcyon on compatible substrates.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Halcyon. 
• Remove any Halcyon that is adhering poorly, and take better care when performing the surface preparation.

• The application thickness was too thin.
• 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 Halcyon. Thin as little as possible to promote the best gloss. 
• Halcyon tolerates being applied in a thicker wet film than most other varnish products; applying Halcyon at the full wet film thickness is required to achieve the maximum gloss.
• Only use the solvents that are specified for use with Halcyon, at any stage of the application process. 
• The gloss will increase with each coat applied. The more coats, the glossier the finish will be, while the distinctness of image will also be enhanced with more coats.
• Do not apply when high humidity, dew, or rain may be a factor that could affect the finish of the varnish.
• Protect the finish from any other contamination after the product is applied; Halcyon 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 Pour Pak™

• The flattening agent has a higher density than the rest of the varnish material, and can settle over time. Shake or stir the product very thoroughly until there is no sign of the settled flattening agent. 
• If the flattening agent is not stirred in well, as the product is used, it will likely leave a glossier finish when the Pour Pak™ is first opened, versus the last material at the bottom of the Pour Pak™.

• 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. 

• Use an appropriate brush for a finish coat.
• Not stirred or mixed thoroughly.
• Product applied too thin for a proper film and flattening agent dispersion.
• Improperly thinned for the conditions.

• Always stir or shake Halcyon Satin thoroughly to evenly distribute the flattening agent in the varnish, prior to applying.
• If conditions are not allowing the product to flow as desired, try to thin the product a little more.
• Applying the product too thin may not develop the proper film thickness, or the best finish.
• Always use an appropriate brush to promote the best finish. A high-quality nylon or polyester brush with a high bristle count and tapered bristles will promote the best finish and the most consistent finish that will leave less streaking of the flattening agent.

• Moisture emanating from the wood substrate, leaving white spots under the varnish
• If Halcyon Satin 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 applying Halcyon Satin, use the Halcyon Gloss finish material to build sufficient coats. Only use the satin finish product on the final coat.
• Always stir or shake Halcyon Satin thoroughly to evenly distribute the flattening agent in the varnish, prior to applying.

• Cap was not closed tightly.
• Air was not squeezed out of the Pour Pak™ bag before being stored.
• Product was stored for a very long period of time without being used.

• Always close the cap completely after use.
  Always squeeze all extra air out of the Pour Pak™ prior to storage.
• 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.
• A thin layer of water can be applied over the surface of the Halcyon inside the Pour Pak™ to prevent skinning over during storage.