To achieve expert results, please take the time to carefully read and understand the following directions before you begin your restoration project. These directions are meant to be general guidelines only and do not cover every application or environmental situation. If you have remaining questions or concerns, please contact us for technical assistance.
ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES. ALWAYS WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA. Please heed all labeled warning and caution notices on all products.
Surface Preparation:
Clear Coating Over an Automotive Base Coat:
Apply base coat as per manufacturers directions. Allow to dry which is normally about one hour.
Note: If the surface being clear coated will be consistently exposed to sunlight, please be sure your automotive base coat is UV stable.
Clear Coating Over Cured Coatings:
Clean surface with KBS Klean diluted 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean. If needed, scuff with 600-1200 grit sandpaper and repeat cleaning process. Rinse & allow to thoroughly dry.
Note: If the surface being clear coated will be consistently exposed to sunlight, please be sure your base coat is UV stable.
Clear Coating Bare Metals:
For ferrous metals, clean with KBS Klean at a dilution rate of 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean (10% strength) with the use of a soft non-abrasive cleaning pad. Rinse the KBS Klean solution immediately making sure you do not let it sit on the surface and dry in a way that minimizes any water stains.
For aluminum, clean with KBS Klean at a dilution rate of 25 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean (4% strength) with the use of a very soft non-abrasive cleaning pad. Wipe the surface and do not soak. Rinse the KBS Klean solution immediately making sure you do not let it sit on the surface and dry in a way that minimizes any water stains.
Clear Coating Wood:
Wood surfaces should be smooth and dry with the wood having a low moisture content. All existing failed coatings should be removed, sand smooth and remove dust. Thin initial coat of KBS MAXX Clear 30-50% with KBS #1 Thinner and apply a single covering coat to seal the wood. Allow to cure 24 hours. The wood will generally need to be sanded smooth again as KBS MAXX Clear will tend to raise the wood grain with the first coat. Sand the surface smooth with fine grade of sand paper (280-320). Apply at least an additional full coat for general applications and at least a minimum of 3 coats for marine or industrial users.
Clear Coating Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber:
Clean the surface with KBS Klean diluted 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean. Scuff with 600-1200 grit sandpaper and and repeat cleaning process. Rinse and allow to thoroughly dry.
Do not apply if surface temperature is below 45ºF or above 110ºF, or if the surface temperature is within 5ºF of the dew point. Always clean the surface well with KBS Klean. The surface should be clean of all grease, dirt, oil, rust, and foreign material which would be detrimental to proper adhesion and desired performance of the coating system being applied.
Click HERE to Find Answers To Your QuestionsSurface Primer
Use the KBS 3-Step System of Klean, RustBlast, and RustSeal for the ultimate in surface prep and rust prevention. Coat over RustSeal with KBS MAXX, BlackTop, or some other solid color UV stable topcoat (Not KBS MAXX Clear). KBS MAXX Clear may be applied over KBS MAXX and most epoxy and/or urethanes. Follow manufacturers topcoat guidelines.
Mixing and Mix Ratio
Always mix KBS MAXX Clear Base thoroughly. Use of KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or simliar mechanical mixing blade attached to a variable speed drill is highly recommended.
After the KBS MAXX Clear Base has been mixed well and smooth in consistency, in a mixing cup/container, carefully measure 3 parts mixed up KBS MAXX Clear Base. Add 1 part MAXX Activator. Mix thoroughly. Use of a mechanical mixer (KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or simliar mixing blade attached to variable speed drill) is highly recommended.
KBS MAXX Clear Base and MAXX Activator are pre-thinned and ready to brush, roll, or spray, but you can also add KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene as needed at this point and then mix well using a mechanical mixer (KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or simliar mixing blade attached to variable speed drill).
Application Characteristics
Mix Ratio: Mix 3:1 (Base Component:Activator)
Reducer: Ready to Apply. KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene may be added if needed.
Pot Life: Doubles in viscosity in 30 minutes.
Dry Times:
Touch: 30 minutes
Through Dry: 1 – 2 Hours
Hard: 3 – 4 Hours
Recoat: 30 minutes to 3 days
Force Cure: Allow 15 minutes to Flash, 20-30 minutes @ 140°- 180°F
Full Cure: A Function of Time, Temperature, and Film Build. This Product will not reach Full Cure for 7 days.
Note: Test Performed @ 77° F 50% Relative Humidity
Application
For optimum results KBS MAXX Clear can be applied by Brush or Roller and also using spray equipment such as Conventional Electrostatic, Conventional suction spray gun, HVLP, Air Assisted Airless, or Airless.
40 - 60 psi
15 -20 psi
Tip: 1.2 - 1.5 mm
40 - 60 psi
15 - 20 psi
Tip: 1.2 - 1.5 mm
15 - 20 psi
15 - 20 psi
Tip: 1.2 - 1.5 mm
Adjust as needed
1500 psi minimum
Brush and Roll: Utilize a natural bristle brush or high-density foam roller and reduce/thin with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene. When brushing KBS MAXX Clear, for best results, do not overwork the brush as this can cause the KBS MAXX Clear to cure too quickly possibly leaving visible brush marks. It is best to brush an area with KBS MAXX Clear and move on immediately versus brushing an area over and over again. 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 flow out.
Note: The above parameters are to be used as a guideline only. Customer specific equipment may require a different set-up.
Clean Up
KBS #1 Thinner, Xylene, or lacquer thinner for cleanup. KBS MAXX Clear must be cleaned up immediately before it dries. Once cured, KBS MAXX Clear cannot be removed by any solvent. Wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact.
Dry Time / Cure
Air Dry: Curing is a function of Time, Temperature, and Film Build. Air dry in 30 minutes to touch, thorough dry in 1-2 hours, dry hard in 3-4 hours. Tested @ 77º F @ approx. 70% relative humidity.
NOTE: The above information is supplied as a guideline to our customers. The user must be aware of the cleaning, pretreatment, application, and testing requirements for their specific job!
Physical Properties
Q-Steel panels prepared with RustSeal/KBS MAXX system of 3.0 – 4.0 dft
Satin: 45-55% measured at 60 Degrees
Flat: 5-15% measured at 60 Degrees
Chemical Resistance
for 7 days