What is KBS MAXX Clear?
KBS MAXX Clear is a two-component (2K) urethane clear coat that bonds directly 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, and it stays permanently UV resistant, reaching 2H pencil hardness at 72 hours and passing 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing without yellowing, hazing, or peeling.
2H
Pencil Hardness at 72 Hrs
160 in-lb
Impact Resistance
1,000 Hrs
QUV 313B UV Testing
KBS MAXX Clear is a low-VOC, moisture-cured polyurethane engineered for Direct To Metal (DTM), wood, aluminum, and fiberglass applications. KBS MAXX Clear delivers outstanding gloss retention, superior impact resistance, and long-lasting rust protection without yellowing or peeling over time.
Formulated for automotive, marine, agricultural, fleet, architectural, and heavy industrial work, KBS MAXX Clear resists a broad range of chemicals including Skydrol and JP-5 jet fuel, and is available in High Gloss, Satin, and Flat sheen levels. Pair it with KBS MAXX color coating as a two-step finish system, or apply it direct to bare metal, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass for standalone protection.
KBS MAXX Clear bonds direct to ferrous metal, galvanized steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and exterior wood with no primers or additives required. Satisfaction guaranteed!
How to Clear Coat Over Rust and Preserve the Patina
KBS MAXX Clear bonds directly to ferrous (steel) metal, galvanized steel, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or bonding additives required. KBS MAXX Clear also seals exterior wood, preserves rust patina finishes, coats concrete, and applies over existing coatings that are sound and properly prepared.
- Ferrous (Steel) Metal: Bonds direct to metal without primers or additives. Ideal for bare or flash-rusted steel that needs a durable clear finish.
- Galvanized Steel: Bonds to galvanized and zinc-plated steel after a standard KBS Klean wash, with no etching primer or bonding agent needed.
- Aluminum: Excellent adhesion to aluminum in automotive, aerospace, and marine work. Clean aluminum with KBS Klean diluted 25 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean.
- Exterior Wood: Seals decks, doors, shed and barn floors, outdoor furniture, and architectural woodwork with a hard, weather-resistant, non-yellowing film. See the wood section below for the thinning and sanding sequence.
- Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber: Bonds directly to boat hulls, watercraft panels, and automotive body components without primers or additives.
- Existing Coatings in Sound Condition: Applies over properly prepared painted or coated surfaces as a protective clear top coat.
- Patina Surfaces: Seals and preserves surface rust while locking out moisture to halt active corrosion, keeping the natural oxidized look intact.
- Concrete: Functions as a clear concrete sealer when applied per the Clear Concrete Sealer directions.
How Do I Prep Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber for KBS MAXX Clear?
Clean the surface with KBS Klean diluted 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, scuff with 600 to 1200 grit sandpaper, then repeat the cleaning, rinse, and let the surface dry completely. Fiberglass that sits in water needs a minimum of 3 coats of KBS MAXX Clear to build enough barrier against moisture intrusion and osmotic blistering.
KBS MAXX Clear works exceptionally well on wood and is one of the most durable finishes available for exterior woodwork. KBS MAXX Clear penetrates and seals the grain when the first coat is thinned 30 to 50 percent with KBS #1 Thinner, then builds a hard, permanently non-yellowing film that resists UV, moisture, and abrasion far longer than a conventional spar varnish or polyurethane wood finish.
Wood moves, weathers, and takes abuse that a brittle finish cannot follow. KBS MAXX Clear cures to a film rated at 160 inch-pounds of direct and indirect impact resistance, so the coating flexes with the substrate instead of cracking, and 1,000 hours of QUV 313B testing means it holds its clarity in full sun rather than ambering the way an oil-based wood finish does. Typical projects include shed and barn floors, decking, exterior doors, gates, outdoor furniture, boat trim, workbench tops, and architectural millwork.
- Step 1: Prepare the wood
- The wood must be smooth, dry, and low in moisture content. Remove all existing failed coatings, sand smooth, and remove the dust.
- Step 2: Seal coat
- Thin the first coat of KBS MAXX Clear 30 to 50 percent with KBS #1 Thinner and apply a single covering coat to seal the wood. Allow 24 hours to cure.
- Step 3: Knock down the raised grain
- The sealing coat raises the wood grain, so sand the surface smooth again with 280 to 320 grit paper and remove the dust.
- Step 4: Build the finish
- Apply at least one additional full coat for general applications, and a minimum of 3 coats for marine or industrial wood that stays wet or takes heavy traffic.
Pro Tip: Bare wood is porous and absorbs more coating than metal. Plan on bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces taking up to 50 percent more product than the theoretical coverage rate in the table below.
KBS MAXX Clear is the most chemically resistant clear coat KBS makes. KBS MAXX Clear is rated Excellent against 10 percent hydrochloric acid, 10 percent acetic acid, 10 percent sodium hydroxide, lubricating and cutting oils, and water immersion, and it passes 100 MEK double rubs at 24 hours, Skydrol at 150 degrees F for 24 hours with no discoloration, and JP-5 jet fuel at 70 degrees F for 7 days.
| Chemical or Exposure | KBS MAXX Clear Result |
|---|
| 10% Hydrochloric Acid | Excellent |
| 10% Acetic Acid | Excellent |
| 10% Sodium Hydroxide | Excellent |
| Lubricating and Cutting Oils | Excellent |
| Water Immersion | Excellent |
| MEK, 100 Double Rubs | Pass at 24 hours |
| Skydrol | 24 hours at 150 degrees F, no discoloration |
| JP-5 Jet Fuel | Pass at 70 degrees F for 7 days |
| Salt Spray (ASTM B117) | 1,000 hours on Q-Steel panels at 5 to 6 mils DFT |
That chemical profile is why KBS MAXX Clear turns up on shop floors, hydraulic equipment, aerospace components, and marine hardware rather than only on show cars. A finish that shrugs off caustic wash-down, hydraulic fluid, and fuel spills keeps its gloss in places where an automotive clear would haze or soften.
Safety: Always wear protective gloves and safety glasses when mixing, applying, and cleaning up KBS MAXX Clear, and always work in a well-ventilated area. Heed every warning and caution notice printed on the product label.
KBS MAXX Clear chemically cross-links during cure rather than relying on solvent evaporation alone, which is why KBS MAXX Clear reaches 2H pencil hardness and 160 inch-pounds of impact resistance while standard 1K acrylic clears stay softer and grow brittle over time. The formula stays permanently UV resistant, holding its clarity through 1,000 hours of accelerated UV testing without yellowing or hazing.
- MAXXimum Gloss Retention: Delivers a deep, consistent gloss, 90 to 95 percent at 60 degrees for High Gloss, that holds up under UV, weather, and chemical exposure without fading or hazing.
- MAXXimum Impact Resistance: Rated at 160 inch-pounds of direct and indirect impact resistance, so the film flexes with the substrate instead of cracking or chipping.
- MAXXimum Weather Resistance: Passes 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing and 1,000 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray testing.
- Most Chemically Resistant KBS Clear: Rated Excellent against 10 percent hydrochloric acid, 10 percent acetic acid, 10 percent sodium hydroxide, lubricating and cutting oils, and water immersion, and it passes Skydrol and JP-5 jet fuel exposure.
- MAXXimum Rust Protection: Forms a tough, moisture-impermeable barrier over ferrous metal and rust patina surfaces, stopping active corrosion.
- Outstanding Adhesion: Bonds direct to ferrous metal, galvanized steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood without primers or bonding additives.
- Fast Drying, High Solids: 60.5 percent volume solids with fast dry characteristics. Touch dry at 30 minutes, hard dry at 3 to 4 hours.
- Permanently Non-Yellowing: True UV stability keeps the film optically clear over time, with no chalking or yellowing.
- Polishable at 24 Hours: Reaches enough hardness for machine or hand polishing within 24 hours of application, well before the 7 day full cure.
KBS MAXX Clear is used across automotive, marine, fleet, agricultural, architectural, and aerospace work wherever a UV resistant, chemical resistant clear finish is needed over metal, wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. Sheen selection changes by use: High Gloss for automotive and marine, Satin for patina preservation and exterior wood, and Flat for industrial or tactical equipment.
- Automotive and Powersports
- Cars, motorcycles, wheels, bicycles, and specialty vehicles. Delivers an OEM-quality clear finish with superior scratch resistance for restoration projects, patina preservation, and factory-quality refinishing.
- Marine and Watercraft
- Boats, yachts, personal watercraft, fiberglass hulls, and boat trim wood. Resists salt water, osmotic blistering, and UV degradation. Three coats are recommended for surfaces consistently exposed to water immersion.
- Fleet and Commercial Vehicles
- Commercial vehicles, snow plows, fleet and municipal vehicles. Low-HAPs formula meets fleet refinishing standards while resisting road salt, chemicals, and weather.
- Agricultural and Industrial Equipment
- Tractors, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, and trains. Maintains gloss and clarity in demanding outdoor environments with constant UV and chemical exposure.
- Aerospace and High-Performance
- Passes Skydrol resistance at 150 degrees F for 24 hours with no discoloration, and JP-5 jet fuel resistance at 70 degrees F for 7 days. Suitable for aerospace components and high-specification industrial applications.
- Architectural, Wood, and Shop
- Exterior doors, gates, decking, shed and barn floors, outdoor furniture, workbench tops, tools, and architectural metalwork. The non-yellowing formula keeps wood grain and metal alike looking the way it did on day one.
One gallon of KBS MAXX Clear covers approximately 450 square feet in a single coat at 2 mils DFT, which is the theoretical coverage rate before material losses during mixing and application. Bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces absorb up to 50 percent more product than the theoretical rate, and the recommended film build is 1.5 to 2.0 mils DFT per coat.
| Container Size | Coverage (Single Coat at 2 mils DFT) |
|---|
| Quart | 110 sq. ft. |
| Gallon | 450 sq. ft. |
| 5 Gallons | 2,250 sq. ft. |
Marine, wood, and water-immersion note: apply a minimum of 3 coats on surfaces consistently exposed to water or heavy traffic. Each additional coat adds barrier protection against moisture intrusion and, on fiberglass, against osmotic blistering.
Pro Tip: KBS MAXX Clear is polishable at 24 hours, so production and restoration schedules do not need to wait for the full 7 day cure to buff out a finish.
What Temperature and Humidity Does KBS MAXX Clear Need?
Apply KBS MAXX Clear between 45 and 110 degrees F, and keep the surface temperature at least 5 degrees F above the dew point. Published dry times were measured at 77 degrees F and 50 percent relative humidity, so a warm shop speeds the cure and a cool or humid one slows it. Mixed KBS MAXX Clear doubles in viscosity within 30 minutes, so mix only what can be applied in that window.
KBS MAXX Clear differs from a standard single-stage automotive clear coat in that KBS MAXX Clear chemically cross-links as a 2K polyurethane, while most single-stage automotive clears are 1K acrylics that cure by solvent evaporation alone and depend on a full basecoat and clearcoat paint system rather than bonding direct to bare substrate.
| | KBS MAXX Clear | Standard 1K Automotive Clear |
|---|
| Bonds direct to bare metal, wood, aluminum, fiberglass | Yes, no primer needed | No, requires a basecoat system |
| Pencil hardness | 2H at 72 hours | Typically softer, varies by formula |
| UV stability | 1,000 hours QUV 313B, permanently non-yellowing | Varies, many yellow or haze over time |
| Impact resistance | 160 inch-pounds direct and indirect | Not typically rated to this standard |
| Acid and alkali resistance | Excellent at 10% HCl, 10% acetic acid, 10% sodium hydroxide | Not typically rated, generally poor to fair |
| Cure mechanism | 2K chemical cross-link | 1K solvent evaporation |
A standard single-stage automotive clear coat can be the simpler choice on a factory color-matched panel repair where the vehicle already carries a full OEM basecoat and clearcoat system and only a spot repair is needed.
KBS MAXX Clear is designed to be the final clear coat over an opaque color coating system, or applied direct to the substrate for patina preservation, bare metal protection, and exterior wood. KBS MAXX Clear is not designed to go over KBS RustSeal, since RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection that a clear coat cannot provide.
- Over a Color Coat System
- Apply over a cured opaque color coat such as KBS MAXX. The color coat provides opacity and pigment-based UV protection; MAXX Clear adds gloss retention and a permanent non-yellowing finish on top.
- Direct to Metal, Wood, Aluminum, or Fiberglass
- Bonds direct without primers or additives, sealing the substrate against moisture with long-lasting rust and weather protection.
- Patina Preservation
- Applied directly over cleaned surface rust, KBS MAXX Clear locks out moisture and halts active corrosion while preserving the natural oxidized appearance.
Shop KBS MAXX Color Coatings
How Do I Clean Up KBS MAXX Clear?
Clean brushes, rollers, and spray equipment with KBS #1 Thinner, Xylene, or lacquer thinner immediately, before the coating dries. Once KBS MAXX Clear cures, no solvent will remove it. Lacquer thinner is for cleanup only and must never be used to reduce KBS MAXX Clear.
Can KBS MAXX Clear Be Applied Over KBS RustSeal?
No. RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection, and a clear coat like KBS MAXX Clear cannot supply that pigment-based UV barrier. Use KBS MAXX Clear over a cured KBS MAXX color coat instead, or apply it direct to bare or lightly rusted metal for a standalone finish.
Preserving the Patina Look
Learn how to stop active rust while maintaining the natural oxidized patina finish on your restoration project.
Read Article →
KBS MAXX Clear Directions & TDS
Complete surface preparation, mixing, spray setup, recoat window, and the full technical data and chemical resistance tables.
View Directions →
Paint Spraying Guidelines
Spray gun setup, pressure settings, and application techniques for achieving a professional finish with KBS coatings.
Read Guide →
Clear Concrete Sealer Directions
Step-by-step directions for using KBS MAXX Clear as a concrete sealer on garage floors, driveways, and masonry surfaces.
View Directions →
KBS MAXX Clear Supplemental FAQs
Additional technical questions and answers covering mixing ratios, compatibility, application conditions, and troubleshooting.
View FAQs →
KBS MAXX: The Color Coat Partner
KBS MAXX is the high-performance opaque color coating designed to work with KBS MAXX Clear as a two-step finish system.
Shop KBS MAXX →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common KBS MAXX Clear questions below, or
order KBS MAXX Clear now and get it shipped same day.
2K means two-component: the clear coat ships as a base and a separate activator that are mixed together immediately before use, and the two chemically cross-link as they cure. KBS MAXX Clear mixes 3 parts Base to 1 part MAXX Activator. A 1K clear coat has no activator and hardens by solvent evaporation alone, which is why a 2K film ends up harder, more chemical resistant, and more impact resistant. The tradeoff is pot life: mixed KBS MAXX Clear doubles in viscosity within 30 minutes, so only mix what can be applied in that window.
Two coats of KBS MAXX Clear at 1.5 to 2.0 mils DFT per coat covers most automotive, equipment, and general metal work. Apply a minimum of 3 coats on anything consistently exposed to water, including boat hulls, marine hardware, and exterior wood that stays wet, because each additional coat adds barrier thickness against moisture intrusion and osmotic blistering. Bare wood takes an extra thinned seal coat first, which does not count toward the finish coats. The recoat window runs 30 minutes to 3 days.
A low-cost 2K aerosol can is the cheapest way to clear one small panel, and for a single wheel or a mirror cap that is a reasonable choice. Cost per square foot tells a different story on anything larger. A quart of KBS MAXX Clear is 68 dollars and covers 110 square feet at 2 mils, roughly 62 cents per square foot, and a gallon covers 450 square feet. Aerosol 2K cans usually cover 10 to 35 square feet each, so the per-square-foot cost climbs quickly once a project needs more than one or two cans. Buy the aerosol for a touch-up and the liquid for a project.
KBS MAXX Clear is touch dry in 30 minutes, through dry in 1 to 2 hours, and hard dry in 3 to 4 hours at 77 degrees F. KBS MAXX Clear is polishable at 24 hours but does not reach full cure for 7 days. Force curing is an option: flash for 15 minutes, then 20 to 30 minutes at 140 to 180 degrees F. Cure is a function of time, temperature, and film build, so cooler or more humid conditions stretch every one of those numbers.
KBS MAXX Clear bonds direct to ferrous (steel) metal, galvanized steel, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or bonding agents required. KBS MAXX Clear also seals exterior wood, preserves rust patina, works as a clear concrete sealer, and applies over existing coatings that are sound and properly prepared. Prep is a KBS Klean wash at 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean for ferrous metal, and 25 parts hot water to 1 part for aluminum and other non-ferrous metals.
KBS MAXX Clear works exceptionally well on wood and is one of the most durable exterior wood finishes available, because the cured film is permanently non-yellowing, rated at 160 inch-pounds of impact resistance, and tested to 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV exposure. The wood must be smooth and dry with low moisture content. Remove failed coatings, sand smooth, and remove dust. Thin the first coat 30 to 50 percent with KBS #1 Thinner as a seal coat, let it cure 24 hours, sand the raised grain with 280 to 320 grit, then apply at least one more full coat, or a minimum of 3 coats for marine and industrial wood.
KBS MAXX Clear is the most chemically resistant clear coat KBS makes. Published test results rate KBS MAXX Clear Excellent against 10 percent hydrochloric acid, 10 percent acetic acid, 10 percent sodium hydroxide, lubricating and cutting oils, and water immersion. KBS MAXX Clear also passes 100 MEK double rubs at 24 hours, Skydrol at 150 degrees F for 24 hours with no discoloration, JP-5 jet fuel at 70 degrees F for 7 days, and 1,000 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray on Q-Steel panels at 5 to 6 mils DFT.
Yes. Applied directly over cleaned surface rust, KBS MAXX Clear locks out moisture and halts active corrosion while preserving the natural oxidized appearance. Satin sheen at 45 to 55 percent gloss is the most popular choice for patina work, since High Gloss can make a weathered panel look wet rather than aged.
Mix 3 parts KBS MAXX Clear Base to 1 part MAXX Activator by volume, using a mechanical mixer such as the KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer. KBS MAXX Clear can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed with conventional, HVLP, air assisted airless, or airless equipment. When brushing, use a natural bristle brush or high-density foam roller, apply an area and move on rather than reworking it, since overworking forces the solvents out and leaves brush marks that will not flow out. Reduce with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene if needed.
No. RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection, and a clear coat cannot provide that pigment-based UV barrier. Apply KBS MAXX Clear over a cured KBS MAXX color coat instead, or use it direct to bare or lightly rusted metal for a standalone finish.
