Cabot's Cabothane Clear
Verified98 reviews
The spay can version is terrible, it doesn't give a fine, even spray. Instead it spits and gives drops on the surface. I've had to sand it back once already and after the second spaying there are drops again. Very poor product. Show details
Follow-up · I found that the cause is that too much comes out of the nozzle and collects in the recess around the nozzle. When I was spraying on an angle all that had collected would simply spill onto the work surface as large drips. The only way to not get drips was to spray horizontally and wipe the nozzle after each pass.
I have no issues with the product, although many other people seem to have complaints. My problem is that the two 1 L tins that I purchased could not be reopened after a couple of uses. The lids are made of wafer thin metal that you can't lever up. They bend too easily and you can't get a grip on them. Please note that I washed out the tracks at… Read more
the top of the tins before resealing each of these cans, everytime. I have two half empty tins I can not open. I will not be purchasing Cabot products again. Also, tried to video this using the link below, but it didn't work.
Hi Clive, Thank you for sharing your experience. For ease… Read more
Easy to use, low VOCs, quick drying and looks great! – We got some windows replaced and needed to finish the timber reveals and architraves. After reading all the negative reviews for this product, I decided I'd used some oil-based Sikkens products that I'd used on previous projects and been happy with. However, after getting a headache from just from the smell of the timber fill, I changed my mind. … Read more · 1
As there aren't a lot of choices for water-based interior stains/varnishes, I decided to try my luck with the Cabot's product. I was impressed that the VOCs are listed as <15g/L - while the Sikkens products are about 400! Also, the fellows at the local Hardware & General said they'd never had anyone complain about Cabothane. I gave the timber a light sanding before applying one coat of Cabot's water-based Interior Stain. Then, as recommended, I applied three coats of the Satin Cabothane, with a very light sanding (240 grit) between coats. Before using it, there was a hard layer of product at the bottom of the tin and I had to do a lot of stirring to incorporate it into the rest of the mixture. It was very gluey looking and I did wonder whether the gloopy bits would mix in properly - but they most certainly did. The product is indeed very milky in the tin but it goes on clear. It was extremely easy to apply and it went on pretty smoothly, with very little (to no) sanding required. As indicated on the tin, it only takes about 20 minutes to be touch dry and you can reapply in just 2 hours! There is a slight odour, but it quickly disappears if you have the windows open. I just finished the project today and am extremely happy with how the trims look. Now I just hope that they'll withstand the test of time. I decided to write this review in case others are scared off by the product.
Reviews with attachments
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absolute load of old crap cabothaine clear waterbase – i picked a tin of the shop shelf a week later when i wanted to use it i found out it looked like a tin of milk and it went on like a tin of milk in other words it had no body when dry company needs to mark there tins more clearly 50 years in the trade of restoring business furniture
Hello Chas So sorry to hear that you are unhappy with… Read more
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Disappointing Finish until Cabot's solved our problem! – After spending a lot of time hand sanding back to original timber, applying two coats of Cabot's stain 24 hours apart then the clear gloss water based top coat I was super happy at first with the finish. Now 2 weeks later it has purple blotches all over it and I am super disappointed. As it was my first attempt at renovating anything, I now don't… Read more · 1
know how to fix it otherwise start again. Would furniture polish help? I have attached photos. The whole chair was the original finish and then 2 weeks later on sections which were hard to photograph. Cabot's advised to use a hair dryer to absorb the moisture which was trapped in the timber. I didn't think this would work but to our surprise it removed the purple blotches within minutes! I am so glad I sought product information to fix it rather than sanding back and starting again. See last two photos now. Thank you Cabot's! Much appreciated.
As per all the other reviews, Terrible product do not buy! – The lighter colour was before which I was trying to retain as much as possible, one light coat considerably darkened the timber as well as having a strong milky finish. Not game to put any more on because it will be a nightmare to remove. Show details
Hello there ajb0490, Thank you for reaching out to… Read more
Positive reviews
NOT CLEAR! – Edit, I persisted with this product and am happy with the result 1 year on, its just a darker colour than expected. original ...Turned my mahogany an old dark colour and not a vibrant red like boiled linseed oil did. The stuff in the can is jet black I thought would dry clear, it didn't. I want my money back it will take ages to remove this product and get a clear one. If it was called a stain and varnish I wouldn't have used it. Show details · 1
Perfect result – I renovated a 30 year old Tasmanian Oak Bedroom suite. Hand sanded it back to natural, applied one coat of Cabot’s Water based Stain and vanish, then 2 coats of Cabot’s Cabothane Clear Water Based Vanish. The products were so easy to apply. The Cabothane Clear had to be stirred a lot before it became smooth, but the result is fantastic. Thank you Cabots. Show details · 1
Great Product – To be honest I was scared to use this product after I read the reviews, but I did and the results were amazing! I purchased this product to use on my much loved dining room table that I had sanded back to make lighter in colour, I followed the directions to the letter and I was so happy with the results! I definitely recommend this product everything was easy, no mess, no strong smell and very easy to clean the brush! Very happy!! Show details · 1
Negative reviews
Nice finish, but not what it said on the tin – Finished my project, and while this went on lovely and dried well, it definitely was not the matte finish I was looking for Show details
Hello Jen Thank you for reviewing our Cabothane Clear… Read more
Choose one - brush strokes or bubbles – Used 2 products - water based gloss (finishing timber benchtops) and Matt (cabinet doors). As said by everyone else - stuff looks like clag glue and you will probably be picking white bits out when applying. No amount of mixing will help you (10+ mins on one case didn't help). What was strange was the gloss had chunks but the Matt didn't, I can… Read more
only guess it is manufacturing issue. Consumer roulette I guess.
After removing little white chunks, the gloss on benchtops finished well. Has a hard finish and shine. Leaves pronounced brushstrokes, but with the grain of timber not a huge deal.
The Matt was only tested on the back of painted cabinets. Trialled brushing, rolling, foam brush, foam roller, even minor thinning with water. The result - pronounced brushstrokes or bubbles.
Because it is water based you cannot use any of the usual tricks to smooth out.
Summary - not suitable for a smooth finish. Don't even bother trying. Even if you do not need a smooth finish it could be a very long and frustrating experience depending on the batch you get.
Next time would just get a conventional oil based poly and deal with the messy cleanup.
Hello Oddy Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via… Read more
It stuffed up my project at the final stage!! – Cabot’s cabothane clear stuffed up my project at the final stage. Beautiful finish ruined by it with white spots all over! Mixed it well and sprayed it on using Wagner spray gun. I am now at a loss of what to do. Not only is the product a waste of money it has cost me thousands! Show details
Hello Arthur, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via… Read more (+4 replies)
Recent reviews
Satin, Gloss? – I have used Cabothane clear in Matt and it is obviously matt after drying. I bought a Cabothane clear in Satin and it is a high gloss after drying. Not impressed. Show details
Hello Arem, Thank you for reaching out via Product… Read more
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Absolute crap – I will never purchase another Cabot’s product as long as I live. The product states hard wearing but even after 2 weeks the finish scratches off with my fingernail. What a pain in the butt! Show details
Hello Rippedoff, Thank you for reaching out to us at… Read more
Cottage cheese – Absolutely rubbish to work with, as soon as the product hits the timber it starts to coagulate and leaves small pieces of white cheese type substance. This was a well prepped surface, clean/dry brushes and a thoroughly mixed tin of product. An absolute waste of time.
Hi there NotClear, Thank you for your time in reviewing… Read more
Excellent and very good – The gloss is terrific - flows nicely and great shine. The Matt is very good but it really is closer to a satin finish. If you want a true matt finish buy something else. Show details · 1
Great stuff so easy to use – I think a lot of people on here must have not followed the instructions properly because it worked really well, no smell, water clean up and after 5 coats my new kitchen benchtops look very expensive. Show details · 1
More than upsetting – I was recommended this product for finishing bathroom window sills and doors by Bunnings. We had our bathrooms renovated and the maple wood sills and architraves needed a refinish. I sanded all surfaces, prepared and followed all directions on the can. It was a dry day and the sills were very dry as bathroom had not been used for a few weeks. … Read more
I've painted various surfaces and finished wood throughout my house in the past with no issue. This product was extremely disappointing. Upon application, the sill and surrounds turned a milky white. I did leave for a few weeks to see if this would change. I didn't apply a second coat as the first looked terrible! About to start again by resanding, which means I will also have to remove the new shutters that were installed a week after 'finishing'. Can't express my frustration with this product. Did you have a faulty batch?
Hi there Narelle, Thank you for taking the time to… Read more
Hopeless. Twice the price of others and not worth even half of the price – 1 star because it was easy to apply. Thats where it ends though unfortunately. As soon as it gets slightly wet or a bit of moisture at all it turns white and looks horrible. It is supposed to be a protective coating yes? Does not do a good job. Not happy. Should have gone with a cheaper brand that was more than half the price. Had over 2 weeks of fine sunny weather to cure but curing time clearly isn't the issue with this product. Show details
Hi there Corey, Thank you for the time in reviewing the… Read more
Gluey, brown rust and out of date – Purchased from Bunnings Balcatta and all excited to use but when opened, it was heavily gluggy (somewhat expected) but it didn’t dissolve after heaps stirring. The tin had rust edges on the lid which got into the paint. Thankfully I didn’t end up applying. Will return and seek an alternate brand. The date of the tin was also 7 months old. … Read more
Recommend everyone checks the use by date!! I would have thought Cabots would ensure this is checked in store but obviously no quality assurance from the company.
Hello to you Rob, Thank you very much for bringing this… Read more
Fantastic results! – I had no problems with this product. I first wiped the entire surface with mineral turpentine and allowed to dry twice before I began. brushed on & immediately wiped off one coat of cabot’s walnut stain and varnish (satin) on plywood and allowed 12 hours to dry before lightly sanding with 220 grit and removing all dust before brushing on this… Read more · 1
cabothane clear generously enough so my brush would *just* glide smoothly over the covered surface, allowed 12 hours to dry and again sanded and brushed on second coat and then the third in turn. I am very pleased with the results and rather surprised with the negative experiences most are having with this product! Perhaps a bad batch has been made or the tin had been sitting on the shelf at Bunnings for too long? I am no expert working with timber of any kind and honestly found this product easy enough to use...I guess I got lucky!
Easy to apply looks great – I sanded down my front door and applied 3 coats of satin. I stirred it very well with flat paddle as recommended. I used a fine moistened brush and ensured I did not apply too thickly. See finished job Show details · 1
Find out how Cabot's Cabothane Clear compares to other Paints & Varnishes
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Great product and does what is supposed to – I read the product reviews before buying and the negative views almost made me not to buy. I am glad I didn't listen and took the chance, because there really is nothing wrong and it works exceptionally well. Yes, the substance is interesting in its consistency when opening the tin but it is easy to apply and gets a great result. I just bought the… Read more · 1
second tin now as I ran out with the first litre. I have started to use it for many other projects and finishes I hadn't consider before.
rubbish product – 10 days after applying this crap product its still milky and lumpy (yes i mixed it very very well and applied it in 50% humidity so not my fault).. . cabots didn't test this rubbish product by the looks.very disappointed user..never again Show details
Hi there, Thanks for taking the time to review the… Read more
Satisfactory for most timber applications – My custom made Victorian ash timber doors were made in Melbourne at a cost of $18000. The painter used Cabots clear to seal the stain. It failed in less than a year and was called back to fix it. After 2 more years, it failed again. Being a woodwork teacher I removed the crap he put on, sanded them back to bare wood, restained and lacquered them… Read more
with Cabots satin. It gave me a high quality finish using a high quality bristle brush at 14c ambient. The oil flowed off the brush with no streaks or discoloration. I would like to try other brands as this product is very expensive.
Timber table – This product is exactly what i was looking for. I build furniture and do repairs for a living and have always been skeptical about water based poly as my comfort and experience is with oil. I had read the reviews prior to purchasing this product and see that they have many negative reviews which pushed me away from from buying but until the guy at… Read more · 1
bunnings told me to give it a go (I am a trade customer so i know them all well) and thought ill give it a go due to fast drying and no harmful smell. I did test in on the bottom of the table first and it came out great. much thinner than im used to but it was fine. I got 4 coats on it in one day and it was done so it saved me days in coating times. the key to getting this right is to stir not shake the tin and for a good 5 to 10 minutes, nice and slow to make sure its well mixed and the jelly looking pieces to break down properly and you are right to go. if this is done im sure there will be no complaints with this product. I am now switching to this completely now as the finish after 4 coats is spot on. oh and it is white which blew me away but it drys clear like wood glue so dont let that scare you
Use another lacquer – Cabothane Satin tears very easily when applying. When dried and light from the side you can see the blotches. I didn't have same problem with the gloss for some reason so I know it is not the technique. Ended up sanding back multiple times. Very disappointed with this product. Show details
Hi Chris, Sorry to hear that you have not had a good… Read more (+1 reply)
Mine turned out perfect! – I’m so happy I didn’t read these reviews before purchasing this product. Did I do something wrong? Because I absolutely love how this turned out. No white streaks like everyone else mentioned. It was mixed perfectly when I opened it, I gave it a stir as directed and I used a sponge roller to apply 3 light coats, sanding in between. I’m absolutely… Read more · 1
obsessed with how this turned out! I used the Satin water based. Maybe everyone else got a bad batch? Or if you buy it, maybe ask Bunnings to give it a spin in the paint mixer to make sure there’s no stuff at the bottom?? I dunno, but I’m stoked with the result.
Waste of money – I'm a licensed builder and was recommended this product from a paint shop. Used it on a brand new timber door and the thing dried milky. Sanded it back and same thing. So I bought another brand new door thinking it was my mistake, and again same thing. Goes milky, complete waste of money and time. Would not recommend this product at all. To be… Read more
honest for a company like this to be happy enough to sell crap like this makes you think twice about there other products. I'm $1000 out of pocket and not very pleased. If I could give it minus stars I would.
Terrible product lumpy and streaky – First coat on new timber table was streaky and would not flow 2nd coat the same not game to do 3rd coat New sold blue gum hall table 2 coats product was a purple colour when opened Show details
Hello Denise, Thanks for you review and sorry to hear… Read more
Sad product and sad I brought it – Brought this product from Bunnings loved the low odour aspect and quick dry. Sadly it was not a great finish gritty and milky. Had to re do the items disappointing to say the least. Show details
Hi Glenn, Thanks for your review and sorry to hear that… Read more
Ruined my project! – All my hard work for nothing, this product is not clear at all and gives a yellow finish. Kitchen cupboards are not a quick job. Now to start my whole project again!!!! Show details
Hi Paije, Thanks for your review. We're sorry to hear… Read more
Bad formula. Gritty and gluggy – First can of polyurethane was gritty. At first I thought I must have contaminated the product but after filtering it through a stocking it was fine. Second can a small one to finish of the job, was impossible to stir due to sludge at the bottom of the can. It was sent back to Bunnings. I also, should have read the reviews before hand. Cabot's had… Read more
a good name and was recommended by several people. Clearly the product is not fit for purpose and should not be sold. I am extremely disappointed that a large company like Dulux would present such a poor product. It should not be "Let the buyer beware" and wasting their time.
Hi Mark, Could you please give us a call on 1800 011… Read more
How to ruin a beautiful piece of timber – Kicking myself that I only read reviews on this product after things went wrong, I have a beautiful piece of redgum that I spent hours hand sanding and was super excited to “bring out the color” with some clear coat. I prepared the surface to perfection and specification, lovingly applied the product and it’s absolutely ruined all my hard work.. … Read more
This product is terrible, bubbles and lifts, then the second coat went milky... :( I will now have to spend hours sanding it back... incredibly disappointed in this well known brand..
Hi Pete, Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the… Read more
It went yellow and ruined the project! – As in title. I applied the product, on the tin it states ‘non yellowing’ and it turned the item yellow. Simply a waste of money and time so back to Bunnings I go! To return the item Show details
Hi Andrew, Thanks for your review. Could you please… Read more (+1 reply)
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Hello Gordon Lehmann, Thank you for reaching out to… Read more