3-Step Tank Sealing System: How KBS Klean, RustBlast and Tank Sealer Work Together

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The KBS 3-Step Tank Sealing System restores a fuel tank in three steps: KBS Klean cleans and degreases, RustBlast removes rust and leaves a zinc phosphate etch, and Gold Standard Tank Sealer coats the inside in a single pour. Apply between 55 and 82 degrees F and allow 96 hours to cure before adding fuel.

Why Tank Sealing Takes Three Steps:

KBS Coatings products are designed to work as a complete system. Gold Standard Tank Sealer gives superior rust protection and sealing when it goes over a tank that has been cleaned with KBS Klean and prepped with RustBlast. Used together, the three products stop rust, seal the tank permanently, and keep rust from returning.

Each product does one job, and each job sets up the next. KBS Klean cleans the surface thoroughly, and RustBlast etches the metal to leave an anchor pattern. Together they give Tank Sealer lasting adhesion, and the cleaner the tank, the stronger that adhesion. This page is an overview of how the system works. For every detail, read the complete Tank Sealer Directions or follow the Tank Sealer Flow Chart.

Step 1: Clean with KBS Klean

Mix KBS Klean with hot water at a 1:1 dilution ratio and pour the mixture into the tank. Let the tank soak, rotating it at intervals so KBS Klean covers all surfaces.

Empty the tank and repeat as often as necessary. Remember, the cleaner the tank, the stronger the adhesion of the Tank Sealer.

After a thorough cleaning, rinse generously with water until the solution runs clear. Drain the tank and let it dry.

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Step 2: Prep with RustBlast

Pour the entire amount of full-strength RustBlast into a dry tank. Do not dilute. Continually roll the tank so all interior surfaces stay wet, rolling and tipping it every 5 minutes for a minimum of 30 minutes to 1 hour.

After sufficient wet contact, drain and capture the RustBlast in a bucket or container. Repeat as needed for heavier rust.

Rinse the tank out with water, then allow it to dry completely before moving on. A thin layer of zinc phosphate stays on the metal after rinsing, and that layer helps Tank Sealer bond. The two mistakes to avoid: not rinsing at all, which leaves too much zinc phosphate on the surface, and rinsing too many times, which removes all of it.

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Step 3: Seal with Tank Sealer

Carefully pour the entire contents of the can of Gold Standard Tank Sealer into the tank, then slowly rotate and roll the tank until all sides are evenly coated. Work with the sealer for up to 30 minutes.

After a thorough coating, patiently drain all excess sealer from the tank for at least 30 minutes before setting it down to cure. This prevents pooling and puddles.

Immediately remove any excess sealer from threads and fuel lines before it cures.

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Curing and Refueling:

Allow 96 hours for maximum cure before refilling the tank with fuel. Leave the tank openings open so air can reach the coating. Do not put the tank in direct sunlight or near a heat source to speed things up: heating the tank does not speed curing and may hinder adhesion. Test the tank with water before adding fuel. Once cured, a properly coated tank is rated for operating temperatures up to 600 degrees F.

Plastic, Fiberglass, and Previously Sealed Tanks:

Plastic Tanks

Hard plastic and polyethylene tanks need Fusion SEP in place of RustBlast, because Tank Sealer alone will not bond to plastic. The Plastic Tank Sealer Kit includes KBS Klean, Fusion SEP, and Tank Sealer. Follow the Plastic Tank Sealer Directions.

Fiberglass Tanks

Fiberglass tanks use the same three steps with one change in Step 2: RustBlast contact is limited to 2 minutes. See Fiberglass Tanks in the directions.

Tanks with an Old Sealer or Liner

Any previous coating has to be fully stripped before Step 1. KBS Strip removes old sealers, and the Cycle Tank Sealer PLUS kits include a quart of it. See Remove an Old Tank Liner Before Sealing.

Tanks Already Cleaned with Vinegar

Vinegar is not a substitute for the prep steps. A tank cleaned with vinegar still goes through the full 3-step system, starting with KBS Klean.

Which Tank Sealer Kit Do I Need?

Every KBS metal tank sealer kit includes all three steps in one box. Pick the kit by the size of your tank:

3-Step Quick Reference:

Frequently Asked Questions About the 3-Step Tank Sealing System

Instructional & How-To Videos

Watch more tank sealing videos on the KBS Instructional Videos page.