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Paint Spraying Guidelines
KBS 3-Step System
RustSeal (Primer/Sealer)
KBS #1 Thinner
KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer
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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.
Surface Prep
Do not apply if surface temperature is below 45ºF or above 110ºF, or if the surface temperature is within 5ºF of the dew point. Clean the surface well with KBS Klean. The surface should be clean of all grease, dirt, oil, rust, and foreign material which would be detrimental to proper adhesion and desired performance of the coating system being applied.
Surface Primer
Use the KBS 3-Step System of KBS Klean, RustBlast, and RustSeal for the ultimate in surface prep and primer sealing. KBS MAXX may be applied over most epoxy and/or urethane primers. Follow primer manufacturer’s topcoat guidelines.
Mixing and Mix Ratio
Always mix KBS MAXX Base (color) thoroughly. Use of KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or similar mechanical mixing blade attached to a variable speed drill is highly recommended.
After the KBS MAXX Base (color) has been mixed well and is smooth in consistency, in a mixing cup/container, carefully measure 3 parts mixed KBS MAXX Base (color). Add 1 part MAXX Activator. Mix thoroughly. Use of a mechanical mixer (KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or similar mixing blade attached to a variable speed drill) is highly recommended.
KBS MAXX and MAXX Activator are pre-thinned and ready to brush, roll, or spray, but you can also add KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene as needed at this point and then mix well using a mechanical mixer (KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or similar mixing blade attached to variable speed drill).
Click HERE to Get Answers To Your QuestionsApplication Characteristics
Mix Ratio: Mix 3:1 (Base Component:Activator)
Reducer: Ready to Spray. KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene may be added if needed.
Pot Life: Doubles in viscosity in 30 minutes.
Dry Times:
Touch: 30 minutes
Through Dry: 1–2 Hours
Hard: 3–4 Hours (resistant to handling and light abrasion)
Recoat: 30 minutes to 3 days
Force Cure: Allow 15 minutes to flash, then 20–30 minutes @ 140°–180°F
Full Cure: A function of Time, Temperature, and Film Build. This product will not reach Full Cure for 7 days.
Note: Test performed @ 77°F, 50% Relative Humidity
Application
For optimum results, KBS MAXX can be applied by Brush or Roller and also using spray equipment such as Conventional Electrostatic, Conventional suction spray gun, HVLP, Air Assisted Airless, or Airless.
Spraying Metallic Colors: For single stage metallic coatings like KBS MAXX, spray a nice covering coat, wait a minute or two, but before it has tacked over, apply a mist coat while increasing the distance between the surface and the gun and only pulling the gun trigger 50–75%. This technique will keep the metallic on the surface and prevent it from floating, creating a brilliant sparkle in the KBS MAXX finish.
Brush and Roll: Utilize a natural bristle brush or high-density foam roller and reduce/thin with KBS #1 Thinner. When brushing KBS MAXX, for best results, do not overwork the brush as this can cause KBS MAXX to cure too quickly, possibly leaving visible brush marks. It is best to brush an area with KBS MAXX and move on immediately versus brushing an area over and over again. If you brush over an area repeatedly, forcing the solvents out, you run the risk of the brush marks not flowing out as they are designed to.
Note: The above parameters are to be used as a guideline only. Customer-specific equipment may require a different set-up.
Click HERE to Get Answers To Your QuestionsClean Up
Use KBS #1 Thinner, Xylene, or lacquer thinner for cleanup. KBS MAXX must be cleaned up immediately before it dries. Once cured, KBS MAXX cannot be removed by any solvent. Always wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact.
Dry Time / Cure
Air Dry: Curing is a function of Time, Temperature, and Film Build. Air dry in 30 minutes to touch, thorough dry in 1–2 hours, dry hard in 3–4 hours. Tested @ 77ºF @ approx. 70% relative humidity.
NOTE: The above information is supplied as a guideline to our customers. The user must be aware of the cleaning, pretreatment, application, and testing requirements for their specific job!
Physical Properties
Chemical Resistance
Frequently Asked Questions — KBS MAXX
Find answers to the most common KBS MAXX questions below, or order KBS MAXX now and get it shipped fast.
KBS MAXX is a single-stage, two-component (2K) polyurethane topcoat. The “2K” means it uses two components — a Base (color) and a separate MAXX Activator — that must be mixed at a 3:1 ratio before application. Once mixed, a chemical cross-linking reaction begins, producing a permanently UV-stable, low-VOC finish with significantly harder, more durable results than a conventional single-component (1K) paint.
KBS MAXX is specifically designed for automotive, agricultural, fleet refinishing, marine, and heavy industrial equipment applications — and because it’s a single-stage system, it delivers both base coat color and clear coat protection in one product.
KBS MAXX is designed for Direct-to-Metal (DTM) adhesion on ferrous metal and aluminum — no additives needed. It also adheres to properly primed wood and most epoxy or urethane primers.
Typical applications include: cars, motorcycles, wheels, bicycles, commercial and fleet vehicles, snow plows, tractors, agricultural and construction equipment, trains, boats, personal watercraft, woodwork, tools, doors, and aerospace components. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of rust, grease, and contaminants before application.
KBS MAXX bonds directly to clean ferrous metal and aluminum without a separate primer. However, using the KBS 3-Step System — KBS Klean, RustBlast, and RustSeal as a primer — delivers the ultimate foundation and dramatically extends corrosion protection.
KBS MAXX may also be applied over most epoxy and urethane primers — follow the primer manufacturer’s topcoat guidelines.
Mix 3 parts KBS MAXX Base (color) to 1 part MAXX Activator by volume. Always mix the Base thoroughly with a mechanical mixer (such as the KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer) before adding the Activator, then mix again until fully combined.
Once mixed, the pot life is approximately 30 minutes — the mixture doubles in viscosity within that window. Plan your application so you use the mixed material before it becomes too thick to apply evenly. Do not return unused mixed paint to the original can.
Tested at 77°F and 50% relative humidity:
Touch dry: 30 minutes
Through dry: 1–2 hours
Hard dry (handling and light abrasion): 3–4 hours
Recoat window: 30 minutes to 3 days
Full cure: 7 days
Force cure is possible: allow 15 minutes to flash at room temperature, then bake at 140°–180°F for 20–30 minutes.
Theoretical coverage at 2 mils DFT (one coat):
Quart: ~110 sq. ft.
Gallon: ~450 sq. ft.
5 Gallons: ~2,250 sq. ft.
Expect up to 50% less coverage on bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces. Material losses during mixing and application will vary and should be factored into your estimate.
Yes — KBS MAXX is ready to brush, roll, or spray straight from the can after mixing. For brushing and rolling, use a natural bristle brush or high-density foam roller; thin with KBS #1 Thinner as needed.
For spray application, KBS MAXX is compatible with conventional electrostatic, conventional, HVLP, air-assisted airless, and airless equipment. If thinning is needed, add KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene at 5–10% and strain through a 100-micron filter. See the full spray settings on our Paint Spraying Guidelines page. Do not reduce with lacquer thinner.
Do not apply KBS MAXX if the surface temperature is below 45°F or above 110°F, or if the surface temperature is within 5°F of the dew point. Damp or condensation-prone surfaces can cause adhesion problems. Always allow the product and the surface to reach room temperature before beginning application.
A 1K (single-component) paint dries through solvent evaporation and never fully cross-links, leaving a softer, less chemical-resistant film that is more susceptible to UV fading and chipping. KBS MAXX is a 2K (two-component) polyurethane that chemically cross-links after mixing, producing a dramatically harder cured film — pencil hardness of 2H at 72 hours — with superior gloss retention, color retention, and permanent UV stability.
Yes. KBS MAXX passes MEK 100 double rubs at 24 hours and shows excellent resistance to lubricating oils, cutting oils, 10% hydrochloric acid, 10% acetic acid, 10% sodium hydroxide, and water immersion. It also passes JP-5 jet fuel immersion at 70°F for 7 days and Skydrol at 150°F for 24 hours with no discoloration.
KBS MAXX withstands continuous dry temperatures of up to 300–400°F, making it suitable for engine compartments, industrial equipment, and other high-heat environments.
Still have questions? Contact our technical team or search the KBS MAXX Support Forum.
