DiamondFinish Clear Application Directions & TDS

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DiamondFinish Clear is applied in three steps: clean with KBS Klean, scuff with 600-1200 grit, then brush, roll, or spray a minimum of two thin coats at 2 mils each. Apply between 50 and 82 degrees F in moderate to dry conditions and recoat within 2 to 4 hours. It cures with moisture from the air, so no hardener is needed.

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.

Coverage:

Theoretical coverage at two mils is 400 sq.ft. per gallon. Recommended thickness of four mils requires two coats. Three coats recommended for marine applications. Material losses during mixing and application will vary and must be taken into consideration. Expect up to 50% less coverage on bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces.

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. 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

Metals 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 (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 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 (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 DiamondFinish 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 DiamondFinish 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 repeat cleaning process. Rinse & allow to thoroughly dry.

Preparing For Application:

ALWAYS USE PROTECTIVE GLOVES AND EYE WEAR
Ideal application temperatures are 50-82°F. Use only in moderate to dry atmospheric conditions. Avoid rainy or high heat/humidity conditions.

NOTE: Solvent wipes and tack cloths leave behind a residue which cause surface tension when applying DiamondFinish Clear and should NEVER be used when prepping a surface for DiamondFinish Clear.

Opening the Can

Because most of our coatings are 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 paint. The main resin in DiamondFinish Clear is an adhesive. If you have a plastic ring on the can lid, please remove it. It is best to use a paint can opener which has a curved or "L" shape on the end. Flat head screwdrivers are not ideal as they tend to warp the lid as you pry the lid open. Use the paint can opener to gently lift the lid in a section and then rotate the can 10 degrees and lift gently and repeat until you have gone all around the can. Go around the can once again this time lifting the lid a little more. Repeat until the lid comes off. Do NOT lift the lid in one section only as this will warp the lid and the compression seal that the lid provides, and this can sometimes make it difficult to remove the lid.

Stirring

Dispensing

DO NOT PAINT OUT OF CAN! Do not shake can. Dispense a working amount of DiamondFinish Clear into a separate container (steel or glass is best) and seal original can immediately. Keep can groove free of paint by using a scoop or KBS Paint Spout. Use a plastic zip lock type bag between the lid and the top of the can to stop metal to metal contact as DiamondFinish Clear can permanently seal the lid.

Unused paint should NEVER be put back into the can as it will shorten can shelf life and cause pressure build-up possibly popping the lid. If there is any trouble resealing the can lid tightly, transfer and store DiamondFinish Clear in a proportionally sized clean glass jar or new paint can. Always store in a cool dry place.

NOTE: It is best practice never to mix DiamondFinish Clear from a can that has been used before with a new can of DiamondFinish Clear. The previously used can of DiamondFinish Clear can contain moisture that it has picked up from the air and that can diminish the pot life of the new can of DiamondFinish Clear.

Applying DiamondFinish Clear:

ALWAYS WORK IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA. Apply DiamondFinish Clear to clean and dry prepared surfaces using a bristle brush, foam brush, low nap roller, or spray equipment. DiamondFinish Clear has superior self-leveling characteristics. Brush marks will flow out very nicely. When brushing, apply thin covering coats: AVOID PUDDLING OR POOLING.

Brushing

When brushing DiamondFinish Clear, apply thin, covering coats and do not overwork the brush as this can cause the DiamondFinish Clear to cure too quickly possibly leaving visible brush marks. It is best to brush an area with DiamondFinish 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. Thinning is not generally required if brushing but if you need to help flow out, you can thin/reduce roughly 10% with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene only.

Rolling

A low nap roller cover works best. Most customers use a mohair roller cover. When rolling DiamondFinish Clear, apply thin, covering coats and do not overwork the roller as this can cause the DiamondFinish Clear to cure too quickly possibly leaving visible roller marks. It is best to roll an area with DiamondFinish Clear and move on immediately versus rolling an area over and over again. If you roll over an area over and over again forcing the solvents out, you run the risk of the roller marks not flowing out as well they are designed to flow out. When rolling, you can thin/reduce roughly 10-20% with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene to help the DiamondFinish Clear flow out.

Spraying

When spraying, ALWAYS wear an AIR SUPPLIED RESPIRATOR or NIOSH/MSHA approved organic vapor particulate respirator and EYE PROTECTION. When spraying, thin/reduce DiamondFinish Clear with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene ONLY and 10%-15% is normally adequate. DiamondFinish Clear can be thinned up to 30%. You can find more information on Spraying DiamondFinish Clear in our Spraying Guidelines.

How Many Coats?

Always apply a MINIMUM of 2 covering coats. Apply a thin covering initial coat followed by a thin, covering coat (2 mils dry film thickness each) for general applications. For marine type applications, applications where the surface is consistently exposed to water, industrial applications, or applications where bare metal rust protection is key, apply a MINIMUM of 3 thin covering coats (2 mils dry film thickness each).

REMEMBER: ALWAYS APPLY THIN, COVERING COATS!

Recoat, Cut & Buff, and Curing:

Recoating

Re-coating can be done once the first or consecutive coat is dry-to-touch and does not leave a fingerprint (beyond tacky) which is typically within 2-4 hours depending on temperature and humidity. If spraying, clean your spray gun immediately after using DiamondFinish Clear. FOR BEST END RESULTS, always apply coats consecutively within 8 hours of each coat curing.

Cut and Buff/Polish

When needed, DiamondFinish Clear can be cut and polished/buffed to remove any imperfections, runs, brush marks, etc. after 24 hours under normal environmental conditions. You will cut and buff/polish DiamondFinish Clear the same way you would an automotive clear coat.

Handling and Full Cure

Under normal circumstances, you can handle after 1 day and a full cure is reached at at least 7 days. Do not use UV or bake lights to cure DiamondFinish Clear as this can actually slow down the cure. In spray booths, use low air flow and moderate temperatures for curing.

Storage:

Clean Up:

Use KBS #1 Thinner for immediate clean up including your spray gun.

IMPORTANT: Remember DiamondFinish Clear must be cleaned up before it dries. It cannot be removed by any solvent once cured. Always wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact and temporary staining. If skin contact accidentally occurs, immediately remove with #1 Thinner or lacquer thinner followed by soap and water. If DiamondFinish Clear should stain your skin, only the course of time will remove it.

DiamondFinish Clear - Tips and Guides:

• If the surface to be clear coated will be consistently exposed to sunlight, we do not recommend applying DiamondFinish Clear over RustSeal (which can chalk or fade when consistently exposed to sunlight). DiamondFinish Clear is 100% UV stable but like most clear coats, DiamondFinish Clear does not block UV rays long term so it is important to apply DiamondFinish Clear over UV stable base coats when the surface will be consistently exposed to sunlight.
• If painting in conditions of high temperature and/or humidity, thin/reduce DiamondFinish Clear more than normal to avoid gassing/micro-bubbling.
• Do not use UV or bake lights to cure DiamondFinish Clear as this can actually slow down the cure.
• Under normal circumstances, you can handle after 1 day and a full cure is reached at at least 7 days.
• In spray booths, use low air flow and moderate temperatures for curing.
• DiamondFinish Clear can be cut and polished after 24 hours under normal environmental conditions.

REMEMBER: ALWAYS APPLY THIN, COVERING COATS!

Technical Data:

Frequently Asked Questions — DiamondFinish Clear

Instructional & How-To Videos

Watch as an oxidized fiberglass boat is easily cleaned up using KBS Klean, getting the surface ready to clear coat the oxidized fiberglass with DiamondFinish Clear.

Watch as an oxidized fiberglass boat is easily clear coated using DiamondFinish Clear.