Cabot's Cabothane Clear Water Based

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

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.

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

THE BEST product I have used in years. Do NOT understand negative reviews – After reading the negative reveiws on here I was very hesitant to buy. But I've used other cabots products before and not had an issue so I bought it anyway, and must I say THANK GOD I did. Now I am by no means an experienced DIYer. I believe the reason I have such excellent results is that A) I followed the instructions on the can to a T. And … Read more ·  1

B) my local hardware has a VERY knowledgeable staff member who helped me choose the correct product for the job - gloss, and water based so it doesn't darken wood.

I have a beautiful old carved wooden chair I picked up dirt cheap. I sanded of 90% of the old varnish (quite dark) but left a little bit on because, well it looked gorgeous. The wood under was a beautiful light wood and I did NOT want any colour - just clear. The results are nothing short of stunning. The wood grain which could not be seen before is now gorgeously highlighted in a beautiful glossy sheen, it went on easily, it has truly done the chair justice. I am THRILLED with the results. I will use it on my stripped back table/ everything. the date on bottom was 25/6/16 - was a wee bit gluggy but stirring fixed it. Used a good quality brush too.

Anyone apprehensive buying this - DO YOUR RESEARCH on the right product for the job.. it paid off for me. FANTASTIC product!!!!!

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Very poor product. Shouldnt be on sale – Bought from Bunnings. The satin one is super high gloss and doesn’t look satin at all. Sticks to the bottom of the tin super hard to fully mix. I’ve used on a white wash acacia table bad results. Used on pine stained wood better but way below what I expected. Has bits in that are hard to work out. Not impress won’t buy again or ever recommend. Show details

Should be taken off the market – Even after much stirring this product is still has a thick glue consistency. While brushing it on it has "bits" in it that are hard to work out of the surface. Dries with a rough finish, almost like has sand in it. Cabots should be ashamed of selling this dud product, take it off the market. You have lost me as a customer forever. Show details

Great product every time – This product is great Gloss or Satin as long as you follow the instructions. I have finished many projects with amazing results every time Drys quickly with a clear hardwearing finish Show details ·  1

Great for decoupage – This is the most consistent water based varnish for Decoupage, I have some pieces still looking good after 25 years. Interestingly a couple of these, I have used black and white photocopies of my art, these have not discolored under about 30 coats of varnish. I leave it 24 hours between coat coats before sanding lightly and applying another… Read more ·  1

coat. All paints and glue I use are water based. I have also used other product on market for decoupage but found the results over time become cloudy and almost want to peel off the cut outs where it starts to deteriorate around edges Faerie glen Creations

It’s not clear – I used it to seal bark on wood rounds for decoration perposes. It went on milky white and I assumed would dry clear. After two days it’s still milky white.

Cabothane water base varnish in Matt – This is an excellent product Fast drying and easy to apply It’s milky white but when applied is clear I applied 3 coats on my dining table that I sanded right back to bare wood .I lightly sanded in between coats but probably only needed 2 coats. It says stir really well do not shake and continue stirring as your doing your project. It didn’t… Read more

have a high odour.

I picked Matt not gloss and I love the look .

The best product I’ve used for indoor furniture.

Best product

Works well – I bought the satin water based product and found it easy to follow the instructions. I stirred it well and had no problems applying it with a roller. It dried fast and recoating many times waiting the recommended time between each coat resulted in no problems. I ensured I was using it under the conditions outlined so did not have any issues at all and would be happy to buy it again.  Show details