What is KBS Klean?
KBS Klean is a concentrated, water-based, biodegradable cleaner and degreaser that removes grease, oil, grime, wax, and road film from metal and most hard surfaces without leaving a residue behind. KBS Klean is Step 1 in both the KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System and the KBS 3-Step Tank Sealing System, and it dilutes with hot water from 1:1 for heavy soil down to 25:1 for aluminum.
1:1 to 25:1
Dilution Range
5 to 10 Min
General Wash Time
24 Hr+
Heavy-Duty Soak Time
Solvent-based cleaners flash off, but they leave an invisible film behind. That film is the reason a coating peels off a surface that looked perfectly clean when it was painted. KBS Klean is water-based and rinses away completely, so paints, primers, and clear coats bond to bare surface instead of to leftover cleaner.
Because KBS Klean is a concentrate, one container goes a long way. A gallon diluted at the moderate 5:1 rate makes six gallons of working solution, and at the light-duty 10:1 rate it makes eleven. KBS Klean also runs through power washing and pressure washing equipment, which is what makes it practical on trailers, floors, engine bays, and equipment that would take hours to hand-scrub.
Non-flammable, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and phosphate-free, with no petroleum additives and no noxious fumes. Satisfaction guaranteed!
How to Prepare Metal for Painting with KBS Klean and RustBlast
KBS Klean removes grease, oil, lubricants, dirt, grime, wax, road film, scum, algae, soot, and general shop soil from metal and most hard surfaces. KBS Klean lifts contamination rather than dissolving it into a film, so nothing is left on the surface to interfere with paint adhesion once the part is rinsed and dried.
- Grease and heavy oil — engine bays, transmission cases, differentials, and shop equipment coated in years of buildup.
- Road film and salt residue — the grey haze on frames, floor pans, trailers, and undercarriages that keeps coatings from sticking.
- Wax and mold release — the silicone and wax films that cause fisheyes in a fresh clear coat.
- Cutting fluid and machining oil — on tools, fabricated parts, and new steel straight off the rack.
- Algae, scum, and mildew — on boat hulls, dock hardware, siding, and outdoor concrete.
- Baked-on carbon and soot — ovens, BBQ grills, grease traps, and exhaust components, using an extended soak.
- Dirt and general soil — the everyday cleaning job around a home, garage, shop, or plant.
- Fuel varnish and tank sludge — the first pass on a gas tank before RustBlast and KBS Tank Sealer go in.
What KBS Klean is not: KBS Klean is a cleaner and degreaser, not a rust remover or a paint stripper. Rust and oxidation are handled by RustBlast, and old paint comes off with KBS Strip.
KBS Klean always goes on diluted. The hotter the water, the faster it cuts.
KBS Klean is a water-based concentrate that leaves zero residue, which is the difference that matters when a coating has to bond to the surface afterward. KBS Klean is also non-flammable, phosphate-free, low foaming, and safe on non-ferrous metals like aluminum at a 25:1 dilution, so one product covers both pre-paint prep and everyday shop cleaning.
- No residue, ever: KBS Klean rinses away completely with water, which is why it is specified as the pre-paint cleaner for every KBS coating system.
- Guaranteed pre-paint performance: KBS Klean is Step 1 of both KBS 3-Step Systems and is the prep the coating warranties are written around.
- Economical concentrate: A gallon makes six to eleven gallons of working solution depending on how dirty the job is.
- Non-flammable: KBS Klean contains no petroleum additives and no flammable solvents, so it stores and ships without solvent handling restrictions.
- Non-corrosive and non-toxic: KBS Klean will not attack the base metal the way an acid or caustic cleaner can.
- Phosphate-free and biodegradable: KBS Klean is formulated for shops that have to think about what goes down the drain.
- Safe on aluminum: At 25 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, KBS Klean cleans aluminum, copper, and brass without etching or staining.
- Low foaming: KBS Klean runs through pressure washers and parts washers without foaming over.
- Powerful low-temperature action: KBS Klean still works in cool water, and gets faster as the water gets hotter.
KBS Klean works on steel, cast iron, stainless, galvanized metal, aluminum, brass, fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, nylon, vinyl, canvas, painted finishes, concrete, brick, stone, masonry, and asphalt. Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, and brass need the 25:1 dilution and a soft pad rather than a soak.
- Automotive and Diesel
- Automotive and diesel engines, engine bays, floor pans, fuel tanks, frames, truck trailers, and painted body panels.
- Metals
- Steel, iron, stainless steel, galvanized, brass, and aluminum. Aluminum, copper, and brass use the 25:1 non-ferrous dilution.
- Composites and Plastics
- Fiberglass, carbon fiber, plastics, nylon, vinyl, and canvas.
- Shop and Industrial
- Tools, compressors, holding tanks, engine room pumping equipment, grease traps, and air conditioner systems.
- Masonry and Hard Surfaces
- Concrete, brick, stone, masonry, and asphalt driveways and shop floors.
- Home and Yard
- Ovens, BBQ grills, porcelain sinks, tubs, showers, and lawn mowers.
Can KBS Klean Be Used on Painted Surfaces?
KBS Klean cleans painted finishes without stripping them, because KBS Klean is a degreaser rather than a paint remover. Start at the light-duty 10:1 dilution on any finish you intend to keep, test an inconspicuous area first, and rinse before the solution has a chance to dry on the paint.
KBS Klean must always be diluted with water before use, and is never applied straight from the container. Shake well, mix with the hottest water practical, apply liberally, and wash the surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Heavily soiled parts can soak for up to 24 hours or longer. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let the surface dry.
| Surface Condition | Hot Water | KBS Klean |
|---|
| Heavily soiled | 1 part | 1 part |
| Moderately soiled | 5 parts | 1 part |
| Lightly soiled | 10 parts | 1 part |
Non-ferrous metals
(aluminum, copper, brass) | 25 parts | 1 part (4% strength) |
Water temperature: the warmer the water, the more effective and powerful the cleaning action. Effective dilution rates vary with the type and degree of contamination and with the surface material, so start weaker and step up if needed.
Do not let KBS Klean dry on the surface. Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning and let the part dry completely before coating. A bristle brush or scouring pad speeds up heavily soiled areas, and the surface can be re-treated as many times as it takes.
Pro Tip: Mix only what you plan to use in one session. Diluted KBS Klean is a working solution, not a storage form, and hot water is what makes it cut. Mixing a five gallon bucket in the morning for an afternoon job gives up most of the advantage.
Safety: Protective rubber gloves and safety glasses should be worn at all times when using KBS Klean.
Can KBS Klean Be Used in a Pressure Washer?
KBS Klean is designed to run in power washing and pressure washing equipment, and is low foaming so it will not foam over in a detergent tank. Pressure washing with KBS Klean drives the solution into many layers of accumulated buildup at once, which is why it is the fastest route on trailers, shop floors, undercarriages, and heavy equipment.
One gallon of KBS Klean concentrate makes 2 gallons of working solution at the 1:1 heavy-duty rate, 6 gallons at the 5:1 moderate rate, and 11 gallons at the 10:1 light-duty rate. At the 25:1 non-ferrous rate for aluminum, a single gallon of KBS Klean yields 26 gallons of finished cleaning solution.
| Size | Part Number | Solution at 5:1 | Solution at 10:1 |
|---|
| 1/2 Pint (8 oz) | 2200 | 48 oz | 88 oz |
| Quart (32 oz) | 2400 | 1.5 gallons | 2.75 gallons |
Gallon (128 oz)
includes spray bottle | 2500 | 6 gallons | 11 gallons |
| 5 Gallon Pail (640 oz) | 2600 | 30 gallons | 55 gallons |
| 55 Gallon Drum | 2700 | 330 gallons | 605 gallons |
Which size? The 8 oz bottle handles a motorcycle tank or a set of brackets. The quart covers a typical engine bay or fuel tank prep. The gallon is the right call for a frame, a floor, or anything that gets pressure washed.
KBS Klean differs from a solvent-based degreaser in that KBS Klean rinses away with water and leaves no film, while a solvent degreaser evaporates and leaves an invisible residue that can block paint adhesion. KBS Klean is also non-flammable and dilutes up to 25:1, where solvent degreasers are used full strength and carry flash-point handling requirements.
| | KBS Klean | Solvent-Based Degreaser |
|---|
| Residue after cleaning | None, rinses away with water | Leaves an invisible film that can hinder adhesion |
| Flammability | Non-flammable, no petroleum additives | Typically flammable or combustible |
| Dilution | 1:1 up to 25:1 with hot water | Generally used full strength |
| Fumes | No noxious fumes | Solvent vapor, ventilation required |
| Safe on aluminum | Yes, at 25:1 with a soft pad | Varies by formulation |
| Disposal | Biodegradable, phosphate-free | Often regulated as hazardous waste |
KBS Klean is a water based concentrate, which is what lets it be diluted to strength, run through a parts washer or a power sprayer, and rinsed away completely instead of leaving the invisible residue a solvent cleaner leaves behind. That rinse and a full dry are part of the process, so allow for them on an assembled machine that cannot get wet, or in freezing conditions where standing water is a problem.
Metal surfaces cleaned with KBS Klean should be treated with RustBlast before painting to ensure proper adhesion. KBS Klean removes contamination but does not remove rust or etch the metal, so RustBlast follows as Step 2 to dissolve rust and leave a zinc phosphate base coat that the finish coating bonds into.
The KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System
- Step 1 — KBS Klean
- Cleans and degreases the surface, leaving no residue.
- Step 2 — RustBlast
- Dissolves rust and etches the metal, leaving a zinc phosphate base coat.
- Step 3 — RustSeal
- Seals the metal in a rock-hard coating that stops rust from returning.
See the 3-Step Rust Prevention System
The KBS 3-Step Tank Sealing System
- Step 1 — KBS Klean
- Flushes fuel varnish, sludge, and oil out of the tank.
- Step 2 — RustBlast
- Removes rust from the tank interior and prepares the metal.
- Step 3 — KBS Tank Sealer
- Seals pinholes and weld seams and stands up to modern ethanol fuels.
See the 3-Step Tank Sealing System
How to Detail Your Engine and Engine Bay with KBS Klean
A step-by-step walkthrough of degreasing a working engine bay, including what to cover before you start spraying.
Read Article →
The Best Way to Clean a Surface Before Coating or Painting
Why residue is the hidden cause of most coating failures, and the order of operations that prevents it.
Read Article →
KBS Klean Directions & Technical Data Sheet
The full dilution table, wash and soak times, safety requirements, and non-ferrous metal procedure.
Read the TDS →
The KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System
How KBS Klean, RustBlast, and RustSeal work together, and why skipping a step is where rust comes back.
See the System →
The KBS 3-Step Tank Sealing System
The full gas tank process from flushing the sludge out to sealing pinholes against ethanol fuel.
See the System →
Customer Restoration Photos
Real projects from KBS customers, from frame-off restorations to shop floors and marine hardware.
View the Gallery →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common KBS Klean questions below, or
order KBS Klean now and get it shipped same day.
A water-based degreaser is a cleaner that uses water as its carrier and relies on surfactants and alkaline builders, rather than petroleum solvents, to lift grease, oil and grime so they rinse away with water. Water-based degreasers are non-flammable, low in odor, and are normally sold as concentrates that dilute with water.
KBS Klean is a concentrated water-based degreaser that dilutes from 1:1 to 25:1 with hot water and leaves zero residue, which is why KBS Klean is Step 1 before any KBS coating or tank sealer goes on.
The most effective degreaser is the one matched to the contamination and the surface. Solvent degreasers cut heavy grease quickly, but they flash off fast, are flammable, and can leave a film behind. For paint prep, a concentrated water-based degreaser is more effective because it lifts oil, grease, wax and road film and then rinses completely clean with water, leaving nothing behind that would stop a coating from bonding.
With KBS Klean, hot water, a 5 to 10 minute wash, and a bristle brush add more cleaning power than a stronger chemical would. Heavily soiled parts take a 1:1 mix; most surfaces come clean at 5:1 or 10:1.
Water-based cleaners fall into a few categories: all-purpose cleaners for light dirt, alkaline degreasers for grease and oil, citrus cleaners for adhesives and tar, enzymatic cleaners for organic soils, and acid-based cleaners for mineral deposits and rust. For preparing metal for paint, a concentrated alkaline water-based degreaser is the right type.
KBS Klean is that type. One gallon of KBS Klean concentrate makes 2 to 26 gallons of working solution depending on the dilution, and it is followed by RustBlast, an acid-based rust remover and metal etch, as Step 2 of the KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System.
Dish soap is a mild surfactant made to cut cooking grease on dishes; it is not a concentrated degreaser. Dish soap is formulated to foam, which works against a pressure washer or parts washer, and it can leave a surfactant film that interferes with paint adhesion unless it is rinsed extremely well.
KBS Klean is a low-foaming concentrated degreaser that will not foam over in a detergent tank, dilutes up to 25:1, and rinses with zero residue, so the paint or sealer that follows bonds to clean metal rather than to a soap film.
KBS Klean is a concentrated, water-based, biodegradable cleaner and degreaser used to clean and degrease a surface before painting or coating it. KBS Klean removes dirt, grime, oil, lubricants, grease, wax, scum, algae, and road film without leaving a residue that would interfere with adhesion.
KBS Klean is Step 1 in both the KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System and the KBS 3-Step Tank Sealing System, and it also works as a general purpose cleaner around the home, garage, shop, or plant.
KBS Klean is always diluted with water and never applied straight from the container. Heavily soiled surfaces take 1 part hot water to 1 part KBS Klean. Moderately soiled surfaces take 5 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean. Lightly soiled surfaces take 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean. Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, and brass take 25 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, which is 4% strength.
Shake the container well before each use and mix with the hottest water the job allows, because warmer water makes the cleaning action stronger. Start with the weaker mix and step up if the surface is not coming clean.
One gallon of KBS Klean concentrate makes 2 gallons of working solution at the 1:1 heavy-duty rate, 6 gallons at the 5:1 moderate rate, 11 gallons at the 10:1 light-duty rate, and 26 gallons at the 25:1 non-ferrous rate.
KBS Klean is sold in five sizes: 1/2 pint (8 oz, part 2200), quart (32 oz, part 2400), gallon with spray bottle (128 oz, part 2500), 5 gallon pail (640 oz, part 2600), and 55 gallon drum (part 2700).
For general purpose cleaning, apply KBS Klean solution liberally and wash the surface for 5 to 10 minutes, or as long as it takes to produce a clean surface. For heavy-duty cleaning, extended soaking times of up to 24 hours or more may be necessary.
Do not allow KBS Klean to dry on the surface before rinsing. A bristle brush or scouring pad speeds up heavily soiled areas, and the surface can be re-treated with fresh solution as many times as needed.
Yes. KBS Klean may be used in power washing and pressure washing equipment, and its low-foaming formula will not foam over in a detergent tank. Pressure washing drives KBS Klean into many layers of accumulated buildup at once.
Pressure washing with KBS Klean is the fastest approach on trailers, shop floors, undercarriages, heavy equipment, and anything too large to hand-scrub.
Protective rubber gloves and safety glasses should be worn at all times when using KBS Klean. KBS Klean is non-flammable, non-toxic, and gives off no noxious fumes, but it is still a concentrated cleaner and eye and skin contact should be avoided.
Cleanup is water. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water after cleaning and let the part dry completely before any coating goes on.
