What is DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol?
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is a single-component acrylic clear coat that sprays directly onto ferrous metal, aluminum, and cured painted surfaces without a primer and without heat or UV curing. One can covers up to 35 sq. ft. per coat, reaches 5H pencil hardness after 5 days, and stays UV stable at temperatures up to 250°F. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is sold in a Gloss sheen (90 to 95 percent gloss) and a Satin sheen (45 to 55 percent gloss).
35 sq. ft.
Single-Coat Coverage Per Can
5H
Pencil Hardness (ASTM D 3363)
250°F
Heat Resistance, No Yellowing
3 to 6 min
Dust Free at 1 Mil
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol puts the same acrylic resin system found in liquid DiamondFinish Clear into an aerosol can fitted with a full-finger fan spray tip. There is no mixing, no hardener, no spray gun, and no cleanup, which makes DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol the practical choice for brake calipers, valve covers, brackets, trim, lures, and any other part too small to justify setting up a gun.
The cured film stays flexible rather than brittle, so parts that flex or take vibration keep their finish. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol will not yellow, crack, or peel, resists most solvents and oils, and doubles as a graffiti-resistant barrier on exterior walls and surfaces.
Incredibly tough and hard, like no other aerosol clear coat on the market. Satisfaction guaranteed!
The full-finger fan tip lays down an even 1 mil pass. Hold the can 8 to 12 inches from the surface.
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol bonds directly to ferrous metal and aluminum with no primer, and to any fully cured painted surface with only a clean, dry, lightly scuffed substrate. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol goes over automotive base coats, solid color enamels, single-part and two-part paints, water-based coatings, gelcoat, and bare rusted metal that has had its loose scale removed.
- Ferrous metal and steel — direct to metal with no primer, sealer, or additive.
- Aluminum — bare, polished, or painted aluminum including wheels and trim.
- Automotive base coats — apply over a cured base coat as the finish clear.
- Solid color enamels and 1K or 2K paints — clears and seals both paints and metals.
- Water-based paints and coatings — seals latex and acrylic finishes that have cured through.
- Rusted metal with a patina — locks in the rust look and stops further moisture attack.
- Fiberglass and gelcoat — restores oxidized boat gelcoat and fiberglass panels.
- Exterior masonry and walls — a graffiti-resistant barrier that cleans off rather than soaks in.
- Custom artwork, lures, and small parts — adds gloss and depth without a spray gun.
Can DiamondFinish Clear Aerosol Be Sprayed Over Another Aerosol Paint?
Yes, but wait at least 3 days for the underlying aerosol paint to cure, then test it by scuffing a small area with sandpaper. If the aerosol paint gums up on the paper, it is not cured and needs longer. Always test a small hidden section for wrinkling before spraying the whole part.
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is harder and tougher than a standard rattle-can clear coat because it uses a professional-grade acrylic resin system rather than a lacquer. That resin gives DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol 5H pencil hardness, 4B to 5B cross hatch adhesion, permanent UV stability, and 250°F heat resistance while still flexing with the part instead of cracking.
- Direct to metal: Sprays onto ferrous metal and aluminum with no primer, no sealer, and no additive to mix in.
- Minimal prep over paint: Clean and dry is usually enough. Scuff with 320 grit only where the surface is glossy or contaminated.
- No heat or UV curing: Cures at ambient shop temperatures from 50° to 86°F with no lamps, no booth, and no bake cycle.
- 5H pencil hardness: Measured to ASTM D 3363 after 5 days, which is harder than the lacquer clears sold in most aerosol cans.
- Stays flexible: The cured film moves with panels that flex and vibrate, so it does not craze or chip at stress points.
- Permanent UV stability: Will not yellow, crack, or peel, even on parts that run hot or live outdoors.
- 250°F heat resistance: Rated for cylinder heads, engine blocks, inlet manifolds, and brake components without discoloring.
- Chemically resistant: Shrugs off most solvents, oils, and cleaners once cured. Not intended for substantial fuel contact.
- Graffiti resistant: Paint and marker sit on top of the cured film and wipe off instead of staining the substrate.
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is used anywhere a durable clear coat is needed on a part too small or too awkward to justify a spray gun. Common jobs include brake calipers, engine bay hardware rated to 250°F, polished aluminum wheels, marine gelcoat, custom artwork, and rusted parts where the patina is being preserved on purpose.
- Automotive Refinish
- Custom refinish over base coats, solid colors, and 1K or 2K paints. Also used to seal candy pigments and metal flake without dulling the color underneath.
- Engine and Drivetrain
- Cylinder heads, engine blocks, inlet manifolds, brackets, and valve covers, up to 250°F with no yellowing.
- Brakes and Wheels
- Brake calipers and brake components that stay within the 250°F rating, plus polished or painted aluminum wheels. Not for brake rotors, which run hotter than the coating is rated for.
- Marine
- Interior and exterior refinish, plus reviving oxidized fiberglass and restoring boat gelcoat.
- Rust Patina Preservation
- Seals rusted steel so the patina look stays put while moisture and oxygen are locked out.
- Shop, Home, and Hobby
- Graffiti protection on exterior walls, fishing lures, custom artwork, fire pit tables, taxidermy mounts, and outdoor metal furniture.
One can of DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol covers up to 35 sq. ft. at single-coat coverage. That figure is theoretical, so material losses during spraying have to be taken into account, and DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol delivers up to 50 percent less coverage on bare wood, rough surfaces, and sandblasted metal because those surfaces absorb more material.
| Surface | Typical Coverage Per Can, Single Coat |
|---|
| Smooth painted or sealed surfaces | Up to 35 sq. ft. |
| Smooth bare or polished metal | Up to 35 sq. ft. |
| Bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces | Roughly 18 to 35 sq. ft. (up to 50 percent less) |
Coats needed: 1 to 2 thin covering coats for general automotive work, and a minimum of 2 to 3 thin covering coats for marine or industrial work. Buy cans accordingly rather than stretching one can over a job that wants three coats.
Pro Tip: For maximum gloss, apply 4 passes as a single coat, wait 10 to 15 minutes, then apply 4 more passes. Repeat as needed. Flow and gloss both increase with multiple coats, so patience beats a heavy wet coat every time.
At 1 mil, DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is dust free in 3 to 6 minutes and dry to handle in 20 to 40 minutes. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol dries through in 24 hours, reaches full cure within 48 hours, and hits its maximum 5H pencil hardness after 5 days. Recoat within 15 minutes of each coat drying to touch, or wait a full 48 hours.
Dry Times at 1 Mil
Dust Free
3 to 6 minutes
Dry to Handle
20 to 40 minutes
Dry Through
24 hours
Full Cure
Within 48 hours
Recoat Window
Within 15 minutes, or after 48 hours
Performance Data
Pencil Hardness (ASTM D 3363)
5H after 5 days
Cross Hatch Adhesion (ASTM D 3359)
4B to 5B after 48 hours
Heat Resistance
Up to 250°F, no yellowing
Application Temperature
50° to 85°F, surface and air
Maximum Humidity
70 percent relative humidity
Gloss Level
Gloss 90 to 95%, Satin 45 to 55%
Why Is the 15 Minute to 48 Hour Window a Problem?
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol builds its film by fusing coats together while the previous coat is still chemically open. That window closes about 15 minutes after a coat dries to touch. Spraying between 15 minutes and 48 hours lands on a surface that is skinned over but not cured, which is where intercoat adhesion problems and wrinkling come from. After 48 hours the coat is fully cured and takes a new coat cleanly.
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol differs from a standard rattle-can lacquer clear in that DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is a professional acrylic resin coating rather than a lacquer topcoat: DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol sprays direct to bare metal with no primer, cures to 5H pencil hardness, and holds 250°F without yellowing, while a hardware-store lacquer clear needs a primed or painted substrate and typically softens and ambers.
| | DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol | Standard Rattle-Can Lacquer Clear |
|---|
| Sprays direct to bare metal | Yes, ferrous metal and aluminum, no primer | No, generally requires a primed or painted surface |
| Pencil hardness | 5H after 5 days (ASTM D 3363) | Varies, commonly 2H or softer |
| Heat resistance | 250°F with no yellowing | Varies, commonly under 200°F |
| UV stability | Permanent, will not yellow, crack, or peel | Ambers and chalks with prolonged sun exposure |
| Flexibility | Stays flexible, moves with the part | Brittle when fully hard, prone to crazing |
| Recoat rule | Within 15 minutes or after 48 hours | Usually an open recoat window, more forgiving |
A standard rattle-can lacquer clear is the better choice when the job needs an open, forgiving recoat window and the part will never see heat, sun, or chemicals. And when the part will see substantial fuel contact or needs a high-build film in one pass, liquid DiamondFinish Clear is the right call: it takes roughly six aerosol coats to match one coat of the liquid.
Spray DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol onto a clean, dry surface at 50° to 85°F and 70 percent relative humidity or lower. Shake the can at least one minute after the mixing ball rattles, hold the can 8 to 12 inches from the surface, and move back and forth in overlapping strokes, releasing the spray head at the end of each pass. Apply thin covering coats, never one heavy coat.
- Step 1 — Clean the surface
- Use KBS Klean to remove all surface contaminants. Avoid solvent-based cleaners and tack cloths, which leave invisible residues that hurt adhesion.
- Step 2 — Scuff only where needed
- Lightly sand with 320 grit paper where the surface is glossy or contaminated, then clean and dry it again before spraying.
- Step 3 — Shake, then keep shaking
- Shake for at least one minute after you hear the mixing ball. During application, shake for about 10 seconds every 1 to 2 minutes.
- Step 4 — Spray thin, overlapping passes
- Press the valve all the way down, keep your finger behind the valve, and hold the can 8 to 12 inches out. Do not hold a continuous spray on one spot. If the paint runs or sags, you are spraying too heavy or too close.
- Step 5 — Build the coats
- 1 to 2 thin covering coats for general automotive work, 2 to 3 minimum for marine or industrial work. Recoat once the previous coat is dry to touch, within 15 minutes, or after 48 hours.
- Step 6 — Clear the sprayhead
- Turn the can upside down and spray for 3 seconds to clear the sprayhead for future use. If it clogs mid-job, turn the sprayhead a quarter turn or remove and clean it. Never push a pin into the can opening.
- Step 7 — Clean up before it dries
- Use KBS #1 Thinner, lacquer thinner, or xylene for immediate cleanup. Once DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol has cured, no solvent will remove it.
Safety: Always wear protective gloves and safety glasses, and always work in a well-ventilated area. Use a NIOSH or MSHA approved air-supplied respirator when spraying DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol. If the coating contacts skin, remove it immediately with #1 Thinner or lacquer thinner followed by soap and water to avoid temporary staining. Heed all warning and caution notices on the label.
Read the Full Directions & TDS
Not Sure Which Sheen?
Gloss measures 90 to 95 percent gloss for maximum reflection. Satin measures 45 to 55 percent gloss for a softer, low-glare finish.
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How to Prepare Metal for Painting
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DiamondFinish Clear on Polished Wheels
Why polished aluminum wheels oxidize and how a clear coat keeps them bright without constant polishing.
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Best Clear Coat for Metal: Prep and Application
Prep procedures and application tips for clear coating bare metal so the finish lasts instead of lifting.
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Clear Coat for Water-Based Paints and Coatings
What to check before clearing a latex or acrylic finish, and how long to let it cure first.
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KBS Paint Spraying Guidelines
Temperature, humidity, distance, and pass technique that apply to every KBS coating you spray.
Read Guide →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol questions below, or
order DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol now and get it shipped same day.
DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is a single-component acrylic clear coat that sprays direct to ferrous metal, aluminum, and cured painted surfaces with no primer, no hardener, and no heat or UV curing. What separates it from a hardware-store rattle-can clear is the resin system: DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol reaches 5H pencil hardness (ASTM D 3363) after 5 days, holds 250°F without yellowing, and stays flexible instead of turning brittle, so it will not crack or peel on parts that move or run hot.
No primer is required. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol bonds directly to ferrous metal and aluminum with no additives, and goes over any fully cured painted surface including automotive base coats, solid color enamels, single-part and two-part paints, water-based coatings, gelcoat, and rusted metal with the loose scale removed. Clean the surface with KBS Klean, avoid solvent cleaners and tack cloths, and scuff with 320 grit only where the surface is glossy or contaminated.
One can of DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol covers up to 35 sq. ft. at single-coat coverage. That is a theoretical figure, so allow for material losses during spraying. Expect up to 50 percent less coverage on bare wood, rough surfaces, and sandblasted metal. Plan on 1 to 2 thin coats for general automotive work and 2 to 3 thin coats minimum for marine or industrial work, and buy cans accordingly.
At 1 mil, DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is dust free in 3 to 6 minutes and dry to handle in 20 to 40 minutes. It dries through in 24 hours and reaches full cure within 48 hours. Maximum pencil hardness of 5H is reached after 5 days. No heat lamps, booth, or forced air are needed. Cross hatch adhesion measures 4B to 5B (ASTM D 3359) after 48 hours.
Recoat once the previous coat is dry to touch, and do it within 15 minutes, or else wait a full 48 hours. Spraying between 15 minutes and 48 hours puts material on a coat that has skinned over but not cured, which is where intercoat adhesion problems and wrinkling come from. If you are applying multiple coats, the easiest approach is to do them back to back inside the 15 minute window.
Spray when both the surface temperature and the air temperature are between 50° and 85°F, in moderate to dry conditions of 70 percent relative humidity or lower. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol cures at ambient temperature with no heat lamps or UV lights. Spraying in high humidity or on a cold surface is the most common cause of a cloudy or slow-drying finish.
Shake the can for at least one minute after the mixing ball rattles, and keep shaking about 10 seconds every 1 to 2 minutes while you spray. Hold the can 8 to 12 inches from the surface and move back and forth in overlapping strokes, releasing the spray head at the end of each pass instead of holding continuous spray. For maximum gloss, apply 4 passes as one coat, wait 10 to 15 minutes, then apply 4 more. Runs and sags mean you are spraying too heavy or too close.
Clean up immediately with KBS #1 Thinner, lacquer thinner, or xylene. Once DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol has cured, no solvent will remove it, so do not leave overspray to dry. To save the can for later, turn it upside down and spray for 3 seconds to flush the sprayhead. If the head clogs mid-job, turn it a quarter turn or pull it and clean it, and never push a pin into the can opening.
Yes on brakes and engine parts. DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol is rated to 250°F without yellowing, cracking, or peeling, which covers brake calipers, brake components, cylinder heads, engine blocks, and inlet manifolds. On fuel, be careful: DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol resists most solvents and oils, but it is not recommended where it will see substantial fuel contact. Liquid DiamondFinish Clear is considerably more chemically resistant than the aerosol.
Gloss measures 90 to 95 percent gloss and gives the most reflection. Satin measures 45 to 55 percent gloss for a softer, low-glare look. Both sheens use the same resin system and the same specs. As for format, it takes roughly six coats of DiamondFinish Clear 1K Aerosol to equal one coat of liquid DiamondFinish Clear, so the aerosol suits small parts and touch-ups while the liquid suits frames, floors, and full panels.
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