can I dilute it as the new tin seem to contain a more thicker varnish
Hi Kees, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot’s via Product Review. We usually don't recommend thinning this product, as it can directly affect its properties. Please give us a call at 1800 011 006, and our Cabot’s technical consultants can help you with the application steps.
We hope to hear from you soon! Thanks, Minidu at Cabot's
thank you and will cope with the for me unusual thicknes
Hi Kees That is great however don't forget if you do need any assistance technical support is only a phone call away :)
I used Cabots exterior clear gloss oil based pressure pack on a small wood vase , fully shook the can, but it randomly stopped flow, ea time I got it to spray again but it was a terrible finish, it sprayed too heavily and appeared 'dimply' and with a 'frosty' appearance , (similar to when acrylic is sprayed from too far so it dry's before hitting the job). the result is a ruined 3 days of work . why? and , is the Cabothane clear pressure pack more fine spray ?
Can this product be thinned?
Hello Brendon, Thanks for reaching out! It is not recommended to thin Cabot's Cabothane Clear Oil Based. If you needed to discuss your project further and see if there are options, other than to thin, please reach out to the Cabot's Senior Technical team on 1800 011 006
All the best with your project!
Sarah at Cabot's
Hello, can I please ask if I can use this as a top coat for kitchen and bathroom benchtops and cupboards that have been painted white with semi-gloss oil based enamel paint? And any tips please? Thank you
Hi Mel, I'm not an expert, just a dyi'er however would not be using this product on top of a white because the oil base version will turn out a yellow colour when dry. I'd use Cabot's sealant in the water base version, which seals just as well but dries clear. Hope that helps
Hello Mel! Thank you for your question. It could potentially be used for this project, but we would need a little further information before we can confirm. Please reach out to our Woodcare team for further advice, on 1800 011 006.
Thank you Sarah at Cabot's
Hi. Is there a durability difference between oil and water based polys? What's best for general wear and tear on a dining table? Does gloss vs satin actually affect this? What is more resistant to the water mark left behind by the pool of water under a cold drink? Thanks. Dave
Hi Bushman Dave! Yes there is a subtle difference in durability in water and oil based polyurethane. Generally oil based will be slightly stronger but water based has some advantages such as fast drying and non yellowing formulation. For a coating that will not get rings, we recommend looking at Cabot's Benchtop Clear. This product is resistant to chemicals, oils and heat from hot cups and mugs.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's products, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
Thanks very much for the info!
Can I mix Cabot's clear gloss and Cabot's clear matt together?
Hello Keith, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. When working with our Cabothane, you can apply a coat of oil-based gloss over an oil-based matt finish, but we would not recommend mixing the two products. We also suggest being sure that the two Cabothane products are both oil-based, or both water-based to ensure compatibility.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
I’ve used Cabot’s Marine Grade Exterior Clear (oil) over our front door, which was newly painted with Interior/Exterior Porters paint. (I know - not advised , but done now, eek!!)…. The varnish has visible brush marks. How can I fix this without starting over? A light sand, then re coat with a roller/better brush?….
Hello Rhian, Thank you for reaching out to us via Product Review with your enquiry. The Porter's Paints product you mentioned is a water-based product, so we would not recommend coating over it in our oil-based Exterior Clear. In order to rectify the marks you are getting, we suggest sanding back the door, repainting the Porters Paints product, and then coating over it with the water-based Exterior Clear which is compatible with the Porter's product.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
I'm considering applying Cabothane clear oil based over Cabots interior oil based stain (tinted Australia Jarrah) which I've used to stain window frames. The window frames are in a bedroom and get wet from condensation on cold mornings. So I'm hoping the Cabothane will protect the wood. Would this be right? I've bought matt Cabothane clear but before I apply it I have two other questions: 1) Will there be a very noticeable colour change due to applying the Cabothane clear. I understand from other posts here that it has an amber colour but would this be considered a strong amber or light? 2) Will the matt finish be similar to the matt finish of the interior oil based stain, which I'm happy with and is already used though my house?
Hello Rick, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. I can assure you that you our Oil Based Cabothane Clear is the ideal product to coat over your Oil Based Interior Stain. You are correct in that the product does have a subtle honey tone to it, in order to ensure you are happy with this before committing to the expanse, I recommend conducting a small test in a clean hidden area.
Unfortunately, it will not be quite as naturally matt as your stained timber, as the Cabothane Clear is a surface-sitting product that creates a seal over the timber, however, the matt is as close to this as you can get.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Hi, Is this product suitable for sealing outdoor wood? Can it be painted after? Thanks
Hello Dynamic Investigative S. Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your enquiry. Unfortunately, this product is only suitable for interior use. If you are looking for an oil-based clear for exterior use, we recommend having a look at our Exterior Clear Oil Based. external link This is a finish coat, and if you want to use it like a sealer, you will need to cut it back with a 240 grit after waiting at least 3 days. Please note that it is a little tricky to give advice over this platform as there are a few variables. If you are however looking for a solid acrylic finish, you can use our Timbercolour Deck and Exterior Paint which is a self-priming paint.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can you apply oil based clear over the polyurethane(water) based
Hello Pete, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. We do not recommend applying our Oil Based Cabothane over water-based polyurethane. The two are not compatible and numerous issues can occur. If your timber is previously coated in water-based poly, we suggest using our Water Based Cabothane on top.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can it be used the other way around, i.e. water based over oil based?
Hi there Carl, Great question, unfortunately, no we do not recommend this process either. When swapping from one to the other, oil and water based products are not compatible and one needs to be removed before applying the other. We hope this is helpful to you. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to pop back online, or give our Technical Team a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, and Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
Kind regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can this be used over painted surfaces at all
Hi Michelle, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. Our Oil Based Cabothane Clear can be applied on top of completely dry, sound, oil-based paints, but be aware it will yellow over time. If however, you are working with water-based paint, you can use our Water-Based Cabothane Clear, which does not yellow.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can I mix Cabothane Clear Oil Based with cabot Stain varnish to lessen the colour?
Hello there Jools, Thank you for reaching out via Cabot’s Product Review. We don’t recommend mixing the oil based Cabothane Clear into your can oil based Cabot’s Stain & Varnish. If you wish to reduce the colour strength, you are best to pour your required amount of oil based Stain & Varnish into a clean paint tub, and then add small amounts of mineral turpentine and stir through till well blended. Please note: As a guide, please do not add more than 10% per 1L of the stain & varnish, as this can compromise the protective stain & varnished finish, once dry.
If you have any further questions about this or any future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot’s
Can i used this over a Cabot's water based stain?
Hello Kim Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. When using water-based Interior Stain, you will need to top coat with water-based Cabothane Clear. The oil-based and water-based are unfortunately not compatible.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can you thin Cabothane Clear Oil based? I want to apply a final coat and get it on a bit thinner than the regular product
Hello there Lewis T, Thank you for reaching out via Cabot’s Product Review. You can add some Gum Turpentine to the Cabothane Clear Oil based,which will thin down the product density for you, but do not add more than 10-15% per 1L of the Cabothane Clear,as it can compromise the final protective finish and sheen result if it’s reduced too far down. Please be sure to test coat over a small clean hidden section first by two coats,before committing to the expanse. Just to make sure you’re happy with the dry test coated result. Also note - You can use standard mineral turpentine if you don't have access to Gum Turpentine.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's – Australia
Is this product suitable for kitchen benches & desktops I.e. harder worked surfaces than furniture or door trims skirting boards etc ?
Hello Miles S, Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. Our Cabothane Clear can be used on benchtops, however, there are products we would recommend before it such as our water-based Benchtop Clear, or super hardwearing CFP which comes in water or oil-based.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Can I use Cabothane Clear matt finish (oil based) over the top of Cabothane Clear gloss finish (oil based) to dull the gloss/sheen? Thank you
Hello Manaia2907 Thank you for reaching out via Product Review with your inquiry. As long as both products are Oil Based Cabothane, you can absolutely do this to change the sheen level. If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards,
Stevie - Team Cabot's
Hi there - I am giving a small, wooden outdoor furniture set a new life. I was recommended Cabot’s exterior clear but everything I read tells me I should use the garden oil?
Go with an oil. Polyurethane is theoretically durable outdoors but in Australian sunlight really only lasts a few years before it starts failing - and then it is a real pain to sand back and refinish. Oil based finishes that have been designed for outdoor furniture don’t last any longer but it’s easy to just wipe down in the Spring and give it another quick coat (using a rag) to refurbish it. Make sure it is some sort of furniture oil so it doesn’t come off when you brush against it.
Hi Sarah, Thank you for reaching out to us at Cabot’s via Product Review with your query. Cabot’s Exterior Clear is not suitable for outdoor furniture. We recommend looking into our Garden Furniture Oil, as you mentioned. Not only will it last longer but the maintenance is far easier.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST. For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
I've applied one coat of exterior clear on some chairs for indoor use. I find it quite hard to avoid drips and brush marks with this product, and despite being "satin" finish, is very glossy. I have some water based CFP floors, which was easy to work with. Can I use that over the top of the oil-based, after waiting for it to fully cure and lightly sanding?
Yes but the oil based product takes longer to cure than you think. Allow 7 days even at this time of year. I understand your comment about satin. Mr Cabots relied to another query saying the oil based poly is always shinier than water based because of the formulation. You may just need to take the shine off your oil based layers rather than sanding. I use 000 grade steel wool or a green 3M / Scotchbrite scouring pad. You really don’t want to go through those first layers with sandpaper. You should be fine - watch for dust. Jeff
Thanks. I'm in cool, humid Hobart - so have left it 14 days. It would be nice if the sheen levels were consistent within a brand. It's not quite gloss, but it's not satin... it's glotin. Hope cabots considers using a "glotin" label on their oil-based polys one day, because I can't get no satin-faction.
We were recommended Cabot’s Cabothane Clear oil for our new outdoor teak table but are disappointed with the colour change of the table. Is the best option to sand the table back to remove the oil and can the water based Cobot’s clear be used instead? It’s undercover outside. Thanks
No - the water based product is interior only and will fail if you use it outside(I promise you). Even the oil based product struggles in Oz sunlight. I used a marine grade poly (different brand) on an outdoor table and it still failed after 3 years. And the problem is that old polyurethane is a pain to sand off as every scrap has to be removed to get an even finish. Even if you get all the Cabothane off your table, I can’t think of any exterior oil product that will last but not make teak dark (and I have a shed full of teak oil/ Danish oil / linseed oil / walnut oil/ Tung oil used on different woodwork projects). The only thing I would say is that dead flat oil products look different to any oil based polyurethane so you may be happier even if it is the same colour. There are modern outdoor furniture oils that start with teak or Tung oil and add other resins, solvents and driers to make it easier to apply. But they will still change the colour and will need to be re-applied at least once a year. The difference is they are easy to wipe down and clean before you do this. Personally? Leave the poly till it fails, sand it all off when the kids aren’t around so they don’t hear you swearing and switch to a modern outdoor furniture oil. Refinishing the outdoor table will become one of your annual spring tasks (but it is easy).
Looked around to see what’s in Oz. Cabots furniture oil is tinted orange and people don’t like it. Cabots isn’t stupid - the pigment is put in to block UV rays. The same company makes a clear Feast Watson furniture oil - but they say it isn’t durable (because it doesn’t have any pigment added). You find the same thing with decking oils - they don’t add those horrible colours for fun - they do it to block UV damage in Oz and NZ. There are small companies making outdoor oil - usually Tung oil based with some wax or other oil added - I don’t believe they know more than the big, greedy multinationals (joke) - those industrial chemists aren’t hired to look pretty. The two that look promising - Johnstone’s from PPG (but it is slightly tinted) and Zinsser - because both are made by proper paint companies (but you will still need to clean your table every year with deck cleaner to kill the mould and then reapply).
Thanks for your answer. I did end up sanding it all off ( was a huge pain). Am I best to leave it au-naturale if we want to maintain the natural colour?
Hello SCC, Thank you for reaching out to us at Cabot’s via Product Review. It is normal for oil-based clears to change a bare timber colour on application slightly, as well as amber over time. However, our water-based Cabothane Clear is non-yellowing and does have some level of UV resistance that should hold up if you are using it undercover outside.
I see you have already removed the oil-based Cabothane, so I would recommend giving the table a good wash with Cabot’s Deck Clean as per label instructions, waiting for it to dry, and then applying 3 coats of Cabothane Clear water-Based in the sheen level of your choice.
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006.
Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST. For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link
Kind Regards, Stevie - Team Cabot's
Is cabothane clear oil based toxic after drying, is it ok to apply to childrens wood toys?
I would say yes it’s ok - because the solvent and ‘driers’ in the product have gone. You are left with a layer of polyurethane which generally isn’t considered toxic. (Which is why it is used on benchtops). Your kids would have to chew off an awful lot of polyurethane and swallow it before they got sick. You could just wax them and realise they will look a bit beat up. Even less toxic. Look for a beeswax based product. Out of all the natural oil products around I use walnut oil. Dries well (unlike Tung or linseed oil), is non toxic and resists mould which other oils don’t. You can polish it a bit when it goes hard. You buy it from decent supermarkets or delis. There are lots of furniture ‘oils’ sold but without knowing what is in them you may be just choosing a petrochemical based resin. So either wax or walnut oil Or poly because it’s as hard as hell and shouldn’t come off.
Hi there Ron, Thank you for reaching out to Cabot's via Product Review. The Cabothane Clear water or oil based is non toxic once completely dry but at the same time, we don't recommend any of our Cabot's protective coatings, be used over children's timber toys or cots. This is mainly due to potential chew/ingestion factors. As an alternative - You can consider our sister brand at Feast Watson via the Feast Watson Orange Oil or Kitchen Timber Oil. ( Please note: Kitchen Timber oil contains traces of tree nuts.)
If you have any questions about this or any other future Cabot's projects, please feel free to give us a call on 1800 011 006. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:00pm AEST.
For far more immediate professional woodcare advice, please join our Cabot's Project Assistant service via the Cabot's website 24/7 - external link Kind Regards, Vinnie Team Cabot's
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