Clear Coat for Bare Metal: 1K, 2K, Aerosol and High Heat Formulas

A clear coat for metal is a transparent topcoat that seals bare or painted metal against moisture. KBS DiamondFinish Clear is a 1K urethane that goes direct to metal with no primer and covers 400 sq. ft. per gallon at 2 mils. KBS MAXX Clear adds 2K satin and flat finishes, and XTC Clear handles heat to 1200°F.

Which Clear Coat Do I Need?

Pick by the finish you want and how hot the part runs.

KBS clear coats by job
Your job	Choose	What you get
High gloss finish on bare metal, wood, fiberglass or cured paint	DiamondFinish Clear	1K, no hardener, brush or spray, 7H pencil hardness at 7 days
Small parts, lures, or setting paint from a spray can	DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol	Gloss or Satin, up to 35 sq. ft. per can, no yellowing to 250°F
Satin or flat finish, or the toughest chemical resistance	KBS MAXX Clear	2K, 3 to 1 mix, High Gloss, Satin or Flat, 450 sq. ft. per gallon
Headers, grills, smokers and stoves running above 500°F	XTC Clear	Silicone clear to 1200°F, heat cured at 350°F
Prep and clear coat from one box	Clear Coat 1K Quart Kit	DiamondFinish Clear, KBS Klean and KBS #1 Thinner for up to 100 sq. ft.

Still deciding? DiamondFinish Clear directions | DiamondFinish Clear FAQs | Ask an expert

Watch: the best clear coat for metal, and why clear coats fail

DiamondFinish Clear

KBS DiamondFinish Clear is a single-component (1K) moisture-cured urethane clear coat that seals bare metal, wood, fiberglass, gelcoat, and cured paint with a water-clear, high-gloss film. DiamondFinish Clear cures to 7H pencil hardness in seven days, recoats in 2 to 4 hours, and covers 400 sq. ft. per gallon at 2 mils. No hardener or activator is needed, the coating is UV stable and will not yellow or chalk, and the cured film resists most common shop chemicals and solvents.

$25.00

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DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol

KBS DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is a single-component acrylic clear coat that sprays directly onto ferrous metal, aluminum, and cured painted surfaces with no primer and no heat curing. One can covers up to 35 sq. ft. per coat, dries dust free in 3 to 6 minutes, and reaches 5H pencil hardness after 5 days. Available in Gloss (90 to 95 percent gloss) and Satin (45 to 55 percent gloss), it stays UV stable to 250F without yellowing, cracking, or peeling.

$25.00

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KBS MAXX Clear

KBS MAXX Clear is a two-component (2K), permanently UV resistant urethane clear coat that bonds direct to ferrous metal, galvanized steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and exterior wood with no primers or additives required. KBS MAXX Clear is the most chemically resistant clear coat KBS makes, rated Excellent against 10% hydrochloric acid, 10% acetic acid, 10% sodium hydroxide, lubricating and cutting oils, and water immersion, and it reaches 2H pencil hardness at 72 hours with 160 inch-pounds of impact resistance and 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing. Available in High Gloss (90 to 95%), Satin (45 to 55%), and Flat (5 to 15%); apply by brush, roller, or spray.

$68.00

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XTC Clear

KBS XTC Clear is a high temperature silicone clear coat that protects metal surfaces operating above 500°F, withstanding continuous service up to 1200°F without burning off. It is UV stable, resists scratching once heat cured, and adds gloss over other XTC colors on headers, grills, smokers, and stoves. Available in Aerosol, 8oz, Pint, Quart, Gallon, and 5-Gallon Pail sizes.

$24.00

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Clear Coat 1K Quart Kit

The Clear Coat Quart Kit has Everything You Need to prep and clear coat an area of up to 100 square feet with single coat coverage! This convenient kit contains a Quart of DiamondFinish Clear, a Quart of KBS Klean and 8oz of KBS #1 Thinner for spraying or clean up so you can experience the clarity, quality, and durability for yourself. Prep and Paint all in one all-inclusive package!

$85.00

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Clear Coat Sampler Kit

Everything you need to prep and clear coat an area of up to 12 square feet! This kit contains 8oz of KBS Klean and 4oz of DiamondFinish Clear so you can experience the quality and durability for yourself. Prep and Paint all in one package!

$27.00

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Headlight Restore Kit

This Headlight Restore Kit includes everything you need to restore 4 or more headlight lenses which drastically increases the visibility of fogged, yellowed, cloudy, or hazy dull looking headlights and drastically improves their performance.

$27.00

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Clear Coat 1K Gallon Kit

The KBS Clear Coat 1K Gallon Kit is an all-inclusive system that cleans, preps, and clear coats a surface up to 400 sq. ft. in a single coat. It includes a gallon of DiamondFinish Clear, a gallon of KBS Klean, a quart of KBS #1 Thinner, nitrile gloves, two brushes, a stir stick, and complete instructions. DiamondFinish Clear is a water-clear, high-gloss 1K formula that applies direct to metal, brushes on without leaving marks, and resists yellowing, cracking, and peeling.

$250.00

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What Else Do You Need to Clear Coat Metal?

Clear coat buyers most often add a mixing cup, a pour spout and KBS Klean. To thin for spray or to clean up tools, use KBS #1 Thinner, and stir DiamondFinish Clear slowly, or use the Hurricane Paint Mixer at low speed, so no air bubbles get whipped in.

KBS Paint Mixing Cup

Measures KBS MAXX Clear at 3 parts base to 1 part activator, and holds the DiamondFinish Clear you plan to use so the rest stays sealed in the can. Never pour unused clear back in.

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KBS Paint Spout

Pours clear without drips and keeps the can groove clean, so the lid seals tight between coats. Fits pint, quart and gallon cans and is reusable up to 25 times.

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KBS Klean

Clear coat shows everything under it, so the surface has to be clean. KBS Klean degreases metal before DiamondFinish Clear or KBS MAXX Clear, then rinses off with water.

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DiamondFinish Clear or KBS MAXX Clear: 1K or 2K?

DiamondFinish Clear is the 1K clear and KBS MAXX Clear is the 2K clear, and the biggest difference is mixing: DiamondFinish Clear goes on straight from the can, while KBS MAXX Clear is mixed 3 to 1 with an activator. Both go direct to metal with no primer and both pass 1,000 hours of salt spray.

DiamondFinish Clear compared with KBS MAXX Clear
Feature	DiamondFinish Clear (1K)	KBS MAXX Clear (2K)
Mixing	None, moisture cures with no hardener	3 parts base to 1 part MAXX Activator
Working time	No pot life; reseal the can	Mix only what you can apply in 30 minutes
Sheens	High gloss	High Gloss, Satin or Flat
Coverage at 2 mils	400 sq. ft. per gallon	450 sq. ft. per gallon
Recoat	2 to 4 hours	30 minutes to 3 days
Hardness	7H pencil hardness at 7 days	2H pencil hardness at 72 hours

KBS MAXX Clear is the better choice when you need a satin or flat finish in a bulk can, or resistance to acids, alkalis, cutting oils and jet fuel. For a high gloss clear with nothing to mix, DiamondFinish Clear is simpler.

Shop Clear Coats

Clear Coat Video Guides

DiamondFinish Clear Durability Test

Many Uses of DiamondFinish Clear

DiamondFinish Clear Lays Out Like Glass

Clear Coat Over a Rust Patina

Apply XTC Clear for Gloss

Open a Can Without Sticking the Lid

All DiamondFinish Clear Videos → | All XTC Videos →

Clear Coat Learning Center

Best Clear Coat for Outdoor Metal Art: Prep and Application

How to prep bare or rusted metal art with KBS Klean for a durable, UV stable DiamondFinish Clear finish.

Read the Guide →

Rust Protection Using Clear Coat While Keeping a Rust Patina Look

Seal a rust patina in place with DiamondFinish Clear or KBS MAXX Clear and keep the aged look.

Read the Guide →

Lure Makers Need a Quality Clear Coat

Why lure builders use DiamondFinish Clear, and where the aerosol fits in setting paint.

Read the Guide →

Clear Coat Questions

The right clear coat depends on the surface, the sheen you want and how hot the part runs. DiamondFinish Clear covers most metal, KBS MAXX Clear adds 2K satin and flat finishes, and XTC Clear covers parts above 500°F. The answers below cover what buyers ask most before they order.

What clear coat is best for metal?

For most metal, DiamondFinish Clear: a 1K moisture-cured urethane that goes direct to bare steel and aluminum with no primer, stays UV stable without yellowing, and passes 1,000 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray. Choose KBS MAXX Clear for a satin or flat finish or the highest chemical resistance, and XTC Clear for metal that runs above 500°F.

Can you put clear coat on metal?

Yes. Degrease the metal with KBS Klean (10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean on steel, 25 to 1 on aluminum and galvanized), rinse, let it dry, then brush or spray DiamondFinish Clear directly on the bare metal. Apply 2 coats at about 2 mils each for general use and 3 coats for marine, industrial or bare metal rust protection.

What is the best clear coat sealant for metal?

A clear coat that cures into a hard, moisture-resistant film works best as a sealant. DiamondFinish Clear cures from humidity in the air with no hardener, reaches 7H pencil hardness at 7 days, and passes 1,000 hours each of salt spray and QUV UV testing. KBS MAXX Clear passes 1,000 hours of salt spray at 3 to 4 mils and is rated Excellent against acids, alkalis and oils.

What is the best clear paint for metal?

For a finish coat, liquid DiamondFinish Clear brushed or sprayed. The DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is made for small parts and for setting paint before the finish clear, such as on fishing lures. If you clear with the aerosol alone, apply 5 to 9 coats, each coat 4 passes, then let it cure at least 7 days with airflow.

What is the difference between a 1K and a 2K clear coat?

A 1K clear coat cures on its own, and a 2K clear coat cures by mixing in an activator. DiamondFinish Clear is 1K: open the can and apply, with no pot life to manage. KBS MAXX Clear is 2K: mix 3 parts base to 1 part MAXX Activator and mix only what you can apply in 30 minutes.

Will a clear coat turn yellow in the sun?

DiamondFinish Clear and KBS MAXX Clear are UV stable and will not yellow; both pass 1,000 hours of QUV 313B testing. A clear coat does not block UV from reaching what is underneath, though. Never clear over RustSeal: RustSeal needs an opaque, UV stable topcoat, and a clear lets the sun degrade it.

Is there a satin or flat clear coat?

Yes. KBS MAXX Clear comes in High Gloss (90 to 95%), Satin (45 to 55%) and Flat (5 to 15%) in quart, gallon and 5 gallon sizes. The DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol comes in Gloss and Satin. Bulk DiamondFinish Clear is high gloss only.

How much clear coat do I need?

DiamondFinish Clear covers 400 sq. ft. per gallon in one coat at 2 mils, so 2 coats cover about 200 sq. ft. per gallon, 50 per quart and 25 per pint. KBS MAXX Clear covers 450 sq. ft. per gallon and 110 per quart at 2 mils. One aerosol can covers up to 35 sq. ft. Expect up to 50% less on bare wood, rough or sandblasted surfaces.

Which clear coat handles high heat?

XTC Clear. It is a silicone clear coat for metal running above 500°F, rated for continuous service up to 1200°F, and it is heat cured at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes after an 8 hour flash off. DiamondFinish Clear holds up without yellowing to 325°F on parts such as cylinder heads and brake components, and the aerosol to 250°F.

Can I restore yellowed or cloudy headlights?

Yes. The Headlight Restore Kit includes everything needed to restore 4 or more fogged, yellowed, cloudy or hazy headlight lenses. The Headlight Restore Kit directions walk through each step.

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