DiamondFinish Clear is the ideal clear coat for wooden countertop restorations. DiamondFinish Clear bites and adheres well to the clear that is already on the countertop and because DiamondFinish Clear is tough and durable, it is able to take the abuse that comes with being a countertop surface. DiamondFinish Clear is also chemically resistant, so cleaning agents can easily be used to clean the countertops as often as needed. The mirror-like finish will have everyone talking!

How to Achieve an Incredible Looking Finish When Applying A Moisture Cured Paint

You just applied the final coat of a moisture cured paint or coating. It’s still wet and so far, everything looks great. You call it a job well done and leave the piece to dry thoroughly. Later you come back to inspect your work and see micro bubbles have formed in the coating. Ugh! Now you must either deal with it the way it is, or sand down the bubbles and apply another coat. Keep in mind, user error is the main reason why moisture cured paints and coatings form bubbles, and it can be easily avoided.

What is a Moisture Cured Paint or Coating?

A moisture cured paint or coating is a type of coating which cures in the presence of atmospheric moisture. It forms a protective film by reacting chemically with the moisture in the air. Moisture cured paints and coatings are a one-part (1K) formulation and include clearcoats, such as DiamondFinish Clear, Rust preventative coatings, like RustSeal, BlackTop, and KBS MAXX, as well as other paints, coatings, and sealants. Among the benefits of moisture cured paints and coatings is that they withstand pooling water, produce a hard, durable, and highly reflective surface, and have good adhesion characteristics. Moisture cured coatings are popular for use in humid environments as the humidity can help rather than hinder curing, as it can with paints and coatings that aren’t moisture cured. However, excessive humidity can cause problems with the curing of moisture cured coatings, which we’ll talk about a little later.

Moisture cured paints and coatings are made up of pigments, additives, resins and solvents. Since they cure in the presence of water vapor, their formulation is solvent based, rather than water based. The solvent functions to dissolve or disperse a variety of components used in the formulation. As the paint or coating begins to dry the solvent evaporates and the resin component remains to create a hard coating that is not breathable. This advanced coatings technology helps to resist stains, contaminants, and rust.

Why Moisture Cured Paints and Coatings Can Form Bubbles

That brings us to those nasty little bubbles in the paint or coating you may have found after it dried. The bubbles are typically formed because of gas and vapor pressures within the paint or coating. This typically happens when a coat of product is applied too thick and a film, or skin, forms over the top of the still wet and solvent rich paint or coating. Much like pudding that has skinned over. The solvent gas in the wet coating has difficulty evaporating through the film and becomes trapped. Known as Solvent Entrapment, the condition forms bubbles under the skin. Blistering can also occur with moisture cured paints or coatings. This is different than bubbling and can happen when they are applied during high humidity, or on wet surfaces, meaning a wet on wet application.

The resulting bubbles eventually dry in place as the paint cures. This not only looks bad but can compromise the protection the paint or coating is intended to provide; a hard, non-breathable film that seals the material it is applied to away from moisture, oxygen, and contaminants. The bubbles can cause the coating to form a permeable Swiss cheese like structure which can allow these elements to pass through.

Tips for Applying Moisture Cured Coatings

• Avoiding paint bubbles is a matter of taking care and being patient. Instead of applying a couple of thick coats of product to get the job done quickly, time should be taken to apply it in multiple thin coats. With each coat being given sufficient time to dry and off-gas solvent. For example, with RustSeal, KBS recommends applying an additional coat once the first or consecutive coat is dry-to-the-touch and does not leave a fingerprint, which is typically within 2-6 hours depending on temperature and humidity. Applying an additional coat on top of that which has not had sufficient cure time is a sure-fire way to make the paint or coating bubble up.
• Remember to not apply moisture cured products in rainy, excessively humid conditions, or on wet surfaces.
• When brushing or rolling on moisture cured coatings it’s important to not “overwork” the brush or roller. Continually going back and forth over the paint or coating forces out the solvent gases at a faster rate than that intended by the manufacturer for proper self-leveling and curing.

In Summary

User error is the main reason why moisture cured paints and coatings can form bubbles. However, by being patient and taking care to not apply coats too thickly and allowing sufficient dry time between coats it can be avoided.

How To Properly Open a DiamondFinish Clear Can and How To Preserve Clear Coat In The Can

Over the years, one of the most useful tips we give to our customers is how to properly open a paint can so it be sealed correctly. In the video, we show you how to properly open and close a paint can from KBS Coatings.

Because most of our paint is shipped at some point, there is a chance that the paint in the can might get between the can and the lid which can make getting the lid off more difficult than it might be with an ordinary latex paint. Latex paints do not provide nearly the adhesion that is provided with paints from KBS Coatings so that is why opening our paint cans is an essential critical first step.

In the video, we also show you how to use KBS Paint Saver. KBS Paint Saver is a proven paint preserver that allows user-friendly long-term storing of leftover paints in the original can. KBS Paint Saver keeps paints, coatings, and clear coats from skinning over in the can saving you money by allowing you to use the entire can of paint. KBS Paint Saver is environmentally safe, allows for storage of paints in their original cans, and is extremely easy to use.

At KBS Coatings, we want you to be able to make the most of your investment which is why we show you how to open and close the paint can and how to use KBS Paint Saver to preserve the paint in the can.

Get some DiamondFinish Clear or KBS Paint Saver for your project today and take your rust prevention to the next level!

Lure Makers Need A Quality Clear Coat

You might be making fishing lures for a hobby, producing them for profit, or both. Whether you are making lures for fun, or as part of a business, using quality lure making supplies can be the difference between an OK result and an excellent outcome.

Choosing the proper clear coat to be used on lures is important. Clear coat has more functionality than just providing a shiny final finish. What should you consider when deciding on a clear coat to add to your stock of lure making supplies?

For fishing lures, the main criteria are that the clear coat is compatible with the base coat used on the lure, that it’s hard so it will resist damage from sharp fish teeth, is flexible to remain adhered if the lure is dented (especially important with wood lures), avoids yellowing and discoloration over time, and is easy to work with. It’s also important that the clear coat is waterproof sealing wood lures away from moisture.

"Clear Coat" is a generic term for a clear, or pigmented finish that is directly applied over a substrate such as wood, metal, or plastic. It is also applied over base coats to protect the color, add "depth" to the appearance, or allow enough film thickness to allow for sanding and polishing. Clear coats prolong the useful life of any surface upon which they are applied. Commonly used clear coats include lacquer, varnish, and polyurethane.

Lacquer is a tree resin or synthetic resin dissolved in alcohol and is popular for sealing wood furniture. Clear lacquer can only be applied over lacquer base coats otherwise solvents in the clear lacquer will cause non-lacquer base coats to run. While clear lacquer brings out a rich, warm, and relatively scratch-resistant finish on deep-toned wood, it can yellow over time, which can distort the colors of the lure’s base coat. Lacquer can be tricky to work with and must be sprayed on carefully and left sit to cure after. Lacquer can be brittle and can dent easy because it's thin. Lacquer can also dry out and crack over long periods of time. Its not the best clear coat to add to your stock of lure making supplies.

Varnish is very similar to lacquer and is a resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry. However, varnish easily peels and cracks or bubbles if not applied properly. Also, it is not as tough as lacquer, or as resistant to water and chemicals. As compared to lacquer, more coats need to be applied to achieve the same thickness and it takes longer to dry. Varnish also yellows with time. Water based varnish has the advantage that it can be used over paints and can be applied with a bristle brush.

Polyurethane clear coat is basically plastic in liquid form until it dries. Good quality polyurethane clear coat is a popular addition to the arsenal of lure making supplies used by most lure fabricators. This is due to its film hardness, resistance to scratches and dents (especially helpful with balsa wood), long-term durability, its ability to remain clear without yellowing, as well as user friendliness. Excellent flexibility characteristics also makes polyurethane well suited for wooden lures as it allows the clear coat to remain adhered without cracking or peeling if the wood becomes wet and swells, or the wood is dented. Polyurethane clear coats can be applied to all components of a lure including plastic, wood, and metal.

Polyurethane clear coat is offered in water-based and oil-based versions and comes in a variety of finishes from satin to glossy. Water-based polyurethane is often used due to its low odor and toxicity. It goes on clear without adding a slight darkening in base coat color appearance, and doesn’t yellow over time, which oil-based versions can do. As well it dries much faster, in some cases up to three times faster. Oil based polyurethane dents and peels easier than water based, however, some water-based versions scratch easier. When it comes to safety, a quality water-based polyurethane clear coat will have significantly lower (up to 50%) volatile organic compounds or VOCs than oil based.

Polyurethane clear coats are available in versions that can be applied with a brush or sprayed. Dipping of lures is common and polyurethane clear coats work great for that purpose. Application of water-based polyurethane differs from that of oil-based in that it applies in much thinner coats. An unlimited number of coats of water-based can be applied while only a couple layers of oil-based can be applied before scratching or chipping becomes a problem.

Polyurethane clear coats are available in 1K (one part), or 2K (two parts that need to be mixed) versions. 1K polyurethane is more user friendly as the user doesn’t require mixing which saves time and hassle.

For lure making, KBS Coatings offers DiamondFinish Clear, which is a moisture cured, crystal clear, one part urethane clearcoat that is that is UV stable, durable and extremely tough. It can perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling. Because of its Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology, it performs extremely well for making fishing lures. This technology makes the coating both flexible and durable. For a demonstration of DiamondFinish Clear’s flexibility and durability see our video. DiamondFinish Clear can be used with all fully cured base coats.

DiamondFinish Clear is ideal for any type of lure surface, including jig heads. When desired, it can be tinted with color, and it is also great for suspending glitter in your finishes. DiamondFinish Clear is a single component (1K) coating, which means user-friendliness with no self-mixing of two parts and can be spayed-onto lures, applied with a brush, or the lure can be dipped in the clear coat. If brushed, the coating is self-leveling, so it leaves a beautifully smooth surface without brush marks. For best performance, DiamondFinish Clear must be thoroughly stirred in circles as well as from top to bottom. See THIS VIDEO for a demonstration.

DiamondFinish Clear is a moisture cured coating. Meaning that it cures by reacting with water vapor in the air. The higher the humidity, the quicker the cure time. It is important to remember DiamondFinish Clear can be contaminated in the storage container or exposure to the air or by moisture dripping off the lure. If the lure is being dipped, it is recommended to pour off a working amount in a small jar and close-up the container of clear coat. Again, air in the atmosphere can cause DiamondFinish Clear to begin hardening in the can. To keep this from occurring KBS Paint Saver can be a useful part of your lure making supplies. KBS Paint Saver contains Argon and Nitrogen gases which are heavier than air and 100% dry. These gases are sprayed into the container of DiamondFinish Clear which displaces the air so no moist, humid air is left in the can that could cause it to prematurely cure and harden. See our video for a demonstration.

Quality lure making supplies are essential to producing quality lures. Used by hobbyists and professionals alike, DiamondFinish Clear preserves, protects and beautifies your lures, and is an important addition to your lure making supplies list.

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear click HERE.

DiamondFinish Clear Is The Ultimate Clear Coat for Fishing Lure Makers

DiamondFinish Clear is an ultra-long lasting, moisture cured clear coat designed to add body, depth, and a rich gloss to your fishing lures.

DiamondFinish Clear is extremely durable because of its high solids content but at the same time DiamondFinish Clear always remains highly flexible.

DiamondFinish Clear is guaranteed to never yellow or crack and can be used over metal, plastic and wood as a crystal clear seal coat.

DiamondFinish Clear can be applied by dipping, by brush, and spray gun.

DiamondFinish Clear is also ideal for suspending glitter in your finishes.

Get some DiamondFinish Clear Coat for your fishing lures today and take your artwork to the next level!

DiamondFinish Clear Is The Clear Coat To Add The Bling To Your Custom Artwork

You have created your custom fishing lure and what to protect it and add Bling. Look no further than DiamondFinish Clear Coat to protect your fishing lure and provide the Bling.

DiamondFinish Clear Coat is an extremely long lasting, moisture cured clear coat. DiamondFinish Clear adds depth, body, and a rich gloss to your fishing lures.

Guaranteed to never yellow or crack, DiamondFinish Clear Coat can also be used over metal, plastic, and wood as a crystal-clear seal coat.

DiamondFinish Clear Coat is ideal for suspending glitter in your finishes.

DiamondFinish Clear Coat is highly durable due to its high solids content, but at the same time will always remain highly flexible because of advanced coatings technology.

DiamondFinish Clear Coat can be applied by brush, spray gun, or by dipping.

Get some DiamondFinish Clear Coat for your fishing lures today and take your artwork to the next level!

Candy Pigment and Flake Added To DiamondFinish Clear to Restore Jet Ski

Here are some pictures that I took. I’ll explain what I did to get the result that I wanted.

I ended up having to make my red base coat because the aluminum had been media blasted and had a really grey appearance, and the customer didn't want me to go thru the extra step in prepping the aluminum for use as my base coat for candy.

I had some really coarse silver left over from the base on the ski so that's where I started. After playing around at the mixing bank I added some base coat pigments and a little binder for color and a couple effect pigments, I ended up with the color that the customer wanted.

The next step was to mix the pigment(s) in the DiamondFinish Clear, using about 20-30% by volume. It wasn't enough to be opaque, but with 2 coats it covered.

The reason for mixing in the clear was solely for DTM adhesion and I wanted to see how far I could go with introducing a large amount of pigments with the DiamondFinish Clear.

I followed up with a urethane grade red candy concentrate that I added to a fresh batch of DiamondFinish Clear and that finished it off.

The black that you see was rattle can satin black that the customer already applied. It was fully cured. The customer stated that he wanted this gloss black, so I shot the DiamondFinish Clear right over the top.

At this point I was done, until the customer wanted me to shoot some .008 OSF Ghost Fire flake over the black sections. So, two more coats and it was buried and now I was done.

It looks great! I happy with the result and the customer is more than happy.

All in all, I have to say I really like DiamondFinish Clear. DiamondFinish Clear couldn’t be easier to shoot and I LOVE the high solids!

I have been shooting flake for years and DiamondFinish Clear is exactly what the doctor ordered! I've been looking forward to trying DiamondFinish Clear out for a couple months now and I glad I did.

-Rikk C.

This video shows the durability and flexibility of DiamondFinish Clear. DiamondFinish Clear is a tough Clear Coat that can be applied Direct To Metal or over other coatings. DiamondFinish Clear is a water clear high gloss clear coat that remains permanently flexible and is able to perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling.

Headlight Clear Coat Damage Reduces Light Output

Cars and trucks with dull, cloudy, yellowed headlights. You see them all the time. Vehicles on the road, in parking lots and in your own driveway. Because of damaged headlight clear coat, the headlights don’t put out as much light as they used to. They look bad. They make the vehicle look aged. There’s nothing good about them except for their creation of replacement headlamp sales, and the only folks who like that are those who sell replacement headlamps!

The headlamps in question are made from polycarbonate plastic (PC). During the 1980s, most car and truck manufacturers stopped producing headlights with glass and began using polycarbonate plastic because of its lightweight and that it can easily be formed into a variety of complex shapes for many different vehicle designs. Polycarbonate has the benefit of not breaking as easily as glass. But the downside is the dullness, cloudiness and yellowing that occurs as the headlamp ages.

Consequences of dull, cloudy, yellowed headlights

Appearance of headlamps is a cosmetic thing; the more important issue is safety. Drivers cannot afford any reduction in visibility. Consider that 50 percent of vehicle collisions occur at night and as determined by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), 26 percent of these collisions were caused by poor lighting.

Research done by the American Automobile Association (AAA) shows that dull, cloudy and yellowed headlights, on low beam, have reduction in light output of nearly 80 percent as compared to when they were new. In other words, deteriorated headlights may produce only 22 percent of the light of new ones! Making the road, other cars, pedestrians, deer, etc. 80 percent less visible at night. Now that’s scary.

Of note, AAA made these determinations by conducting research using an accredited laboratory to test headlights from two popular sedans that had been in service for about 11 years. Light output from the deteriorated headlights were compared against the light output of corresponding new headlights to quantify the amount of light reduction. All testing was done in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.

There are other consequences of dull, cloudy and yellowed headlights. While not as dire as the safety issue, there is a chance the diminished headlamps will earn you a fix-it ticket and fine issued by the police. Also, resale value of the vehicle can be negatively affected because of poor appearance. Plus, the owner might be a bit bummed the guy next to him has clearer headlights at the Saturday morning Cars and Coffee.

Causes

So, what causes polycarbonate plastic headlamps to deteriorate? There are several factors.

Polycarbonate headlamps are produced with a protective headlight clear coat to prevent scratching of the lenses and sunlight damage. However, exposure to sunlight breaks down the coating, which causes yellowing and clouding. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can also cause the lens to develop micro-cracks which speeds up the color change. The resulting discoloration significantly diminishes light output.

Another cause is gravel, road salt, and other debris that strike the headlamps as the car or truck is being driven. This wears down the headlight clear coat and creates pits and scratches which adds to their cloudy appearance.

When chemical pollutants in the air react with water vapor and oxidants, they form acid sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids fallout when it is raining or snowing. Known as acid rain, these acids etch the lenses and create cloudiness.

Polycarbonate lenses are porous and when heated by the bulb inside, and by the sun, they absorb minute particles of dust and debris through these tiny pores, which adds to the cloudiness. When light passes through the lenses, it is refracted from the particles and creates glare for oncoming drivers.

All of this contributes to dull, cloudy and yellowed lenses. In some cases, headlights can require maintenance within three to five years of use.

Can it be avoided?

There are ways damage to polycarbonate plastic headlamps can be mitigated. Avoiding UV exposure is at the top of the list. Park your car in a garage or at least in the shade. Face the car away from the sun when parking outdoors to reduce UV exposure.

Keeping your headlights clean from dirt and chemicals is important. Wash them at least every three months with car wash and a sponge. Early signs of yellowing can be removed by carefully polishing the headlights with a non-abrasive polishing medium and a microfiber cloth.

Can polycarbonate plastic headlights be restored?

Thankfully, if the polycarbonate headlamps aren’t too badly damaged there are options for economically restoring them, rather than installing new units. Consider a headlamp typically ranges $130.00 to $430.00 depending on whether it’s an OEM or aftermarket part.

Restoration of the headlamps starts by removing the oxidized outer layer where pits, cloudiness, and yellowing reside. This is typically done with a fine abrasive, like fine sandpaper or abrasive pad, until the damage is removed. In extreme cases a heavier abrasive is needed, which requires polishing with a compound to smooth the surface.

Once a headlamp is restored the lens surface needs to be sealed with a high-performance headlight clear coat. Otherwise, the surface will cloud over in short order. This is the new protective coating that’s replacing the failed factory coating. So, the headlight clear coat needs to be UV stable to handle sunlight while not yellowing. Or else it’s right back to yellowed headlights. The headlight clear coat also needs to be durable and flexible to handle impact from gravel and debris without chipping, cracking or peeling.

Headlight restoration is far more cost effective than headlight replacement. Professional headlamp restoration services are available. Do-it-yourself kits are available as well.

Which brings us to the KBS Coatings Headlight Restore Kit

The KBS Coatings Headlight Restore Kit has everything needed to restore 4 or more polycarbonate plastic headlight lenses. The Headlight Restore Kit represents quite a savings compared to the typical $130.00 to $430.00 cost of replacement headlights.

Included in the Headlight Restore Kit is KBS Klean, which is used along with the included scrub pad to clean the surface and remove oxidation, cloudiness and yellowing. KBS Klean is a powerful, concentrated, water-based cleaner that deeply penetrates and cleans surfaces without leaving harmful residues or emitting noxious fumes. This procedure properly prepares the surface for application of KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear.

DiamondFinish Clear is a moisture cured, crystal clear, one part urethane clear coat that is that is UV stable, durable, and extremely tough. It can perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling. Because of its Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology, it performs extremely well as a headlight clear coat. This technology makes the coating both flexible and durable, so it is tough against chips and cracks and doesn’t have issues with delamination or flaking away from the surface. For a demonstration of DiamondFinish Clear’s flexibility and durability see our video.

DiamondFinish Clear is a single component (1K) coating, which means user-friendliness with no self-mixing of two parts and is applied with the included sponge brushes. Since the coating is self-leveling it leaves a beautifully smooth surface without brush marks. Note: Most headlight clear coats have issues with this.

Check out this demonstration of the Headlight Restore Kit.

Dull, cloudy, yellowed headlights affect both the safety and appearance of vehicles. It’s important to maintain polycarbonate plastic headlights to keep light output as close to original as possible and to keep the headlights looking clear and bright.

For more information on the KBS Coatings Headlight Restore Kit CLICK HERE.

Wood Clear Coat for Outdoor Use

Imagine you are refinishing wooden outdoor furniture or other wood items that are located outdoors. You’re looking for a transparent, non-colored wood clear coat and you want it to provide a glossy finish. It’s important to you that the clear coat is durable, will protect the wood against moisture damage, and will not degrade when exposed to sunlight. It’s also especially important to you that the clear coat be easy to apply.
A coat of quality wood clear coat on your outdoor wood items can be the difference between a long, beautiful lifespan and one that has been shortened by time and exposure to the weather. With so many wood clear coat options available, what type should you choose?

The primary things often considered about a wood clear coat is its ability to avoid yellowing, cracking and peeling over time, dry time, and ease of use. For outdoor use, polyurethane and urethane clear coats are popular as they best meet these criteria, but with some exceptions.

Both polyurethane and urethane wood clear coats can avoid yellowing, cracking, and peeling, but in differing degrees, depending on the formulation used by a particular manufacturer.

Dry time and ease of use of polyurethane and urethane clear coats can differ depending on whether it is a 1K (one part) or 2K (two part) formulation. 1K describes a coating that does not require a hardener, catalyst or activator to harden. Once the clear coat is applied to a surface it will dry without any additives. 2K describes a coating that does require a hardener, catalyst or activator to cure. Without it the clear coat would never fully dry. 2K clear coats take a longer period of time to dry to the touch and fully cure as compared to 1K formulations. As 1K formulations don’t require mixing in a catalyst they are more user-friendly than 2K coatings. So, 1K wood clear coats best meet the criteria of quicker drying time and ease of use. They are frequently less expensive as well.

Another consideration for outdoor wooden furniture and other wood items is expansion and contraction of the wood caused by precipitation and humidity. The molecular bonding properties of urethane clear coats make them more flexible than polyurethane clear coats. Therefore, in a high moisture environment they can stay adhered to the wood surface without cracking and peeling better than less flexible polyurethane coatings. Which brings us to KBS DiamondFinish Clear.

DiamondFinish Clear is a 1K moisture cured urethane clearcoat that is that is UV stable, durable, and extremely tough. It can perform in the toughest of environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling. With minimal surface preparation, DiamondFinish Clear can be applied directly to wood (Likewise, it can be applied to ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals including aluminum, alloys, brass, chrome and copper). It’s also perfect as a high quality clearcoat when applied over cured basecoats, standard solid color paints, and single-part or two-part paints. Because of its Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology, it is both flexible and durable so it doesn’t have issues with delamination or peeling away from the surface. For a demonstration of DiamondFinish Clear’s flexibility and durability see our video.

Pickup Truck Bed Wood protected and beautified with DiamondFinish Clear

DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or simply with a brush without leaving any brush marks, which is a problem with most clearcoat finishes. DiamondFinish Clear is also available in aerosol form.

It’s important that a wood clear coat for outdoor use avoids yellowing, cracking and peeling, and is flexible. As well dry time, and user-friendliness are considerations for a project well done. For this, KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear is an excellent choice.

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear Click Here.

Clear Concrete Sealer – How to Choose the Best Type for Your Project

A clear concrete sealer serves two primary functions. One is to protect the concrete and the other is to improve its appearance. Concrete surfaces, especially garage floors, are subject to staining and damage from oil, chemicals, dirt, road salt, and other materials. They can also be damaged by water erosion and extreme temperatures. A clear concrete sealer provides a protective barrier that stands between damaging elements and the concrete to help keep it from spalling, pitting, and cracking. Although there is the initial investment of time and money to seal concrete, ultimately, it will help to avoid the expense of repair or replacement of the concrete by extending its service life. Concrete sealers can be used on new and old concrete, whether indoors or outdoors.

A clear concrete sealer also helps to beautify concrete by bringing out its colors and textures with a low sheen, high-gloss or wet look finish. Of note, spills, mud, and other contaminants are more easily cleaned from a sealed concrete surface.

Choosing the best type of clear concrete sealer depends on the requirements of your project.

Acrylic Concrete Sealer

Water based acrylic concrete sealer is the most widely used and is known for its color enhancement, short dry time and the ability to be applied to concrete soon after it is poured. Acrylic concrete sealers are also easy to use and more economical than other concrete sealers. A downside is that acrylic concrete sealer applies in thin coats is not durable. So, recoating is required more frequently than other types of clear concrete sealers. Acrylic concrete sealers are available in water based and solvent based formulations. Water based is often preferred as it is more durable than solvent based. Additionally, it helps reduce issues like brush marks and bubbling. A benefit of a solvent based acrylic clear concrete sealer is that it does a better job of enhancing the concrete color.

Penetrating Concrete Sealer

A clear concrete sealer that penetrates concrete is popular for outdoor use as it absorbs into the concrete for a barrier that doesn’t let water in but allows water vapor to evaporate out. This is ideal for winter environments as water trapped in concrete can freeze and expand, thereby cracking the concrete. Penetrating concrete sealer is popular for outdoor use, such as on sidewalks, as it doesn’t have a glossy finish that can get slippery when wet. Types of penetrating concrete sealers are silicate concrete sealer, silicone concrete sealer and silane concrete sealer. Silicate concrete sealer increases hardness and density of concrete. It maintains the natural appearance of the concrete but doesn’t provide high levels of protection against water erosion. Silicone concrete sealer provides shorter term protection and will need to be reapplied far more frequently than other sealers. This sealer doesn’t alter the appearance of concrete and is often used on vertical surfaces to protect concrete against graffiti. The coating doesn’t offer UV protection so it’s not ideal for applications that are exposed to significant sunlight. Silane Concrete Sealer is applied in two to three thick coats and provides protection for up to 3 years. This heavy-duty clear concrete sealer significantly changes the appearance of the concrete and is frequently used for parking garages.

Epoxy Concrete Sealer

Epoxy clear concrete sealer is much harder than acrylic concrete sealant and offers a thick and durable finish that is long lasting and abrasion resistant. Epoxy sealant has a high gloss and brings out surface colors. It’s a popular choice for kitchen counters and high traffic areas like walkways. As epoxy is vulnerable to yellowing caused by UV light it is most popular for indoor applications.

Polyurethane and Urethane Concrete Sealers

Polyurethane and urethane clear concrete sealer has a service life of 4-8 years, provides almost twice the thickness of an acrylic concrete sealer, and offers excellent durability against chemicals, contaminants, and scuffing. UV protectants keep the sealant from yellowing over time, making it a functional choice for outdoor applications as well as indoor use. Like acrylics, they are available in water based and solvent based formulations. This type of sealer performs so well it is the sealant of choice for high traffic areas such as concrete roadways. Flexibility of the coating allows it to handle impacts that would damage an acrylic clear concrete sealer.

KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear concrete sealer is an excellent choice for sealing concrete. DiamondFinish Clear is a 1K (one part – requires no mixing) moisture cured high gloss urethane clear coat that is exceptionally tough. Its formulation brings out the colors and textures of the concrete and because of its Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology, it is both flexible and durable to avoid cracking and peeling. To see a demonstration of DiamondFinish Clear’s flexibility and durability see our video. DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, spray gun, or with a brush without leaving any brush marks. The clear concrete sealer is UV stable making it an excellent performer for both indoor and outdoor uses. DiamondFinish Clear is user friendly with a quick dry time and a low and compliant VOC formulation.

Choosing the correct clear concrete sealer is a matter of determining what qualities it will need to have to best meet the requirements of the project. With careful research and selecting high quality products you can achieve a finish that looks great and provides long-lasting protection.

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear click HERE.

DiamondFinish Clear is a crazy tough 1K Automotive Clear Coat that can be applied direct to a base coat.

DiamondFinish Clear is a water clear high gloss clear coat that remains permanently flexible and performs well in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling.

DiamondFinish Clear is the obvious choice when looks and durability are what matters most!

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear click HERE.

KBS Coatings Diamond Finish Clear for Freshening Up Gelcoat

KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear can be used to permanently seal, protect, beautify and restore your boat’s gelcoat. User-friendly DiamondFinish Clear is a single part formula, high-gloss moisture cured urethane clearcoat that is UV stable, durable and extremely tough. DiamondFinish Clear also remains permanently flexible because of its use of advanced coatings technologies.

DiamondFinish Clear is a clearcoat that is able to perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling. With minimal surface preparation, DiamondFinish Clear can be applied directly to faded gelcoats, cured basecoats, standard solid color paints, and single-part or two-part paints. It can also be applied to ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals including aluminum, alloys, brass, chrome and copper. Because of its superior adhesion properties, this clearcoat doesn’t have issues with delamination or peeling away from the surface.

DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or with a brush without leaving any brush marks, which are the bane for most clearcoat finishes. Tougher and harder than a two-part clearcoat, DiamondFinish Clear will withstand the harshest of chemicals including fuels, solvents, battery acid, hydrochloric acid and acetone.

For the best surface preparation before applying the clearcoat which ensures long lasting results and adhesion, use KBS Klean which is a concentrated, water-based, biodegradable formula industrial strength cleaner and degreaser. KBS Klean does not leave residues behind like solvent based cleaners which is key when you are clearcoating over the surface. The key with a fiberglass surface is to let the surface get bone dry after rinsing the KBS Klean off and before applying DiamondFinish Clear remembering that fiberglass is porous and tends to hold moisture in its pores.

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear, click HERE. For complete application directions on DiamondFinish Clear, click HERE.

KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear clear coat is user-friendly and provides a beautiful, smooth and long-lasting finish. The clear coat is perfect for beautifying, sealing and protecting a wide variety of applications. Including automotive, household, marine, powersports, sports equipment and arts and crafts.

DiamondFinish Clear is a single part formula, high-gloss moisture cured urethane clearcoat that is UV stable, durable, and extremely tough. DiamondFinish Clear provides a beautiful finish that remains permanently flexible because of its use of advanced coatings technologies. Of note, KBS has recently updated the formula of DiamondFinish Clear to give a beautiful mirror like finish and increase stability in the can.

DiamondFinish Clear is crazy tough and performs in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking, or peeling. With minimal surface preparation, DiamondFinish Clear can be applied directly to faded gelcoats, cured basecoats, standard solid color paints, and single-part or two-part paints. It can also be applied to ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals including aluminum, alloys, brass, chrome, and copper. DiamondFinish Clear is also perfect for wood, ceramic, plastic, and other materials. Because of its superior adhesion properties, this clearcoat doesn’t have issues with delamination or peeling away from the surface.

DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or with a brush without leaving any brush marks, which are the bane for most clearcoat finishes. DiamondFinish Clear is also available in aerosol spray cans. Tougher and harder than a two-part clearcoat, DiamondFinish Clear will withstand the harshest of chemicals including fuels, solvents, battery acid, hydrochloric acid, and acetone.

DiamondFinish Clear is perfect for automotive and power sports applications such as body panels, frames, and wheels. The clearcoat can also be used to beautify and protect cylinder heads, engine blocks, brake components and even inlet manifolds, without yellowing with temperatures up to 300° Fahrenheit.

Marine applications are well served by DiamondFinish Clear. It can be used to permanently seal, protect, beautify, and restore gelcoat, as well as other boat components.

DiamondFinish Clear (DCC) is used by professionals and do-it-yourself users alike for automotive, power sports, marine, home remodeling, arts and crafts, sports, and other projects. Applications for DiamondFinish Clear are many and only limited by your imagination.

No other clearcoat has the combination of quality, beauty, user-friendliness, and durability of DiamondFinish Clear.

For more information on DiamondFinish Clear or to purchase DiamondFinish Clear, click HERE.

Automotive Clearcoat with Superior Finish Quality, Durability and Ease of Use

Wheels were refinished with DiamondFinish Clear. They look great and the coating allows brake dust to be easily wiped off.

All clearcoats are not created equal. Finish quality, durability and ease of use are important qualities that vary among manufacturers. KBS Coatings has developed DiamondFinish Clear to exceed the competition in all these areas.

DiamondFinish Clear is a permanent, single part formula, high gloss clearcoat that uses an advanced coatings technology to permanently seal both paints and metals. It can be applied direct to metal or over cured automotive basecoats, standard solid color paints, and single-part or two-part paints. It can also be applied to ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals including aluminum, alloys, brass, chrome and copper. DiamondFinish Clear is a moisture cured urethane that is UV stable, durable and extremely tough and remains permanently flexible. This automotive clearcoat able to perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling.

DiamondFinish Clear is user-friendly and can be applied to surfaces with minimal surface preparation. The unique formulation allows it to adhere to non-ferrous metals without an etching primer. Unlike normal two-part coatings, no hardener is needed. DiamondFinish Clear will cure without heat or UV lights in temperatures from 50° F to 86° F. Because of its superior adhesion properties, it doesn’t have problems with delamination.

DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or with a brush without leaving any brush marks which are the bane for most clear coat finishes.

Tougher and harder than a two-part automotive clearcoat, DiamondFinish Clear will withstand the harshest of chemicals including fuels, solvents, battery acid, brake fluid, ethanol, methanol, MEK, hydrochloric acid, and acetone. When applied correctly, DiamondFinish Clear can act as a sealant to prevent corrosion. DiamondFinish Clear also allows easy surfaces clean up. For example, brake dust can be simply wiped off wheels.

DiamondFinish Clear looks fantastic and can be used to beautify and protect items like automotive paint (can be used like a traditional clear coat), wheels, aluminum fittings, and fuel tanks. It also works great for high temperature automotive applications (up to 300° F) including cylinder heads, engine blocks, brake calipers and intake manifolds without yellowing. It can also be used as the finishing step for composite headlamp restoration.

DiamondFinish Clear was used to seal the bare metal body of this VW! Looks cool and is sealed away from rust.

Preparation before applying DiamondFinish Clear varies depending on the type of surface. When used as a clear coat for a paint base coat, it is simply applied on top of the base coat. When applied over cured coatings, clean the surface with KBS Klean diluted 10 parts hot water to 1-part KBS Klean. Scuff with 600-1200 grit sandpaper, repeat cleaning process and rinse. When coating bare metals, they should be freshly polished or sanded to the finish required. For ferrous metals, clean with KBS Klean at a dilution rate of 10 parts hot water to 1-part KBS Klean and scrub with a soft non-abrasive cleaning pad. For non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, etc.), clean with KBS Klean at a dilution rate of 25 parts hot water to 1-part KBS Klean with the use of a very soft non-abrasive cleaning pad.

Intake manifold was first painted with KBS Motor Coater Engine Paint and then finished with DiamondFinish Clear

When applying DiamondFinish Clear by brush apply thin, covering coats and once an area is covered move on immediately to the next area. If you brush over an area over and over again forcing the solvents out, you run the risk of the brush marks not flowing out as well they are designed to. When spraying, thin with KBS #1 Thinner 10%-15% which is normally adequate. DiamondFinish Clear can be thinned up to 30%. Use a spray pressure of 35-45 psi for siphon/pot guns and 25-35psi for gravity/top container guns. As a general rule of thumb, a 1.4-1.5 nozzle works well. Always apply a minimum of 2 covering coats, apply a thin covering initial coat followed by a moderate to full coat (2 mils each) for general applications. For more information on prep and application click here.

Patina was preserved using DiamondFinish Clear.

KBS DiamondFinish Clear automotive clear coat will give you what you need for a job well done: Finish quality, durability and ease of use. For more information on DiamondFinish Clear click HERE.

DiamondFinish Clear is a 1K, water clear high gloss clear coat that remains permanently flexible and is able to perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling.

Highly polished wheels are perfect candidates to be clear coated with DiamondFinish Clear. DiamondFinish Clear will protect the wheels making them extremely easy to clean which is necessary because modern day cars and trucks generate a lot of brake dust that needs to be cleaned off so you can show off your highly polished wheels!

“Flame painted copper is done with a torch. NO paint. We use the DiamondFinish Clear to seal the copper and keep the colors permanent.” -Randy A from Scottsdale, AZ

DiamondFinish Clear is a crazy tough Clear Coat that can be applied Direct To Metal (ferrous and non-ferrous) or over other coatings.

DiamondFinish Clear is a water clear high gloss clear coat that remains permanently flexible and will perform in the toughest environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling.

DiamondFinish Clear can be applied directly to a cured Automotive basecoat, Standard solid color paints, and Single Part or Two-Part paints. It can also be applied to Non-Ferrous metals including Aluminum, Alloys, Brass, Chrome and Copper.

DiamondFinish Clear is used by crank bait and fishing lure makers all over the world. Because DiamondFinish Clear is a moisture cured urethane, DiamondFinish Clear performs extremely well in marine environments.

Fishing Lures and Crank Baits can be dipped in DiamondFinish Clear for a non-porous clear finish that will withstand the elements including being submerged in water.

After a ton of meticulous work, the crankbait is cleared with DiamondFinish Clear to protect it and keep it looking great!

“The Diamond Finish Clear coat is great! I strip and re-polish vintage table lamps for my desk sculptures. Not having a paint booth, I am amazed how well brush strokes absolutely disappear. I also needed the hardness and Durability qualities of it.” -Jim M.

“This clear-coat adds luster and value to our fishing lures. Our customers really appreciate the quality!”
-RSR Lures

Grab Some DiamondFinish Clear for Fishing Lure and Crankbaits Today!