Paint Spraying Guidelines
KBS 3-Step System
RustSeal (Primer/Sealer)
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KBS MAXX Information & FAQs
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KBS MAXX is applied in four steps: clean the surface with KBS Klean, prime if needed, mix 3 parts KBS MAXX Base to 1 part MAXX Activator, then brush, roll, or spray at 1.5 to 2.0 mils DFT. Apply between 45 and 110 degrees F. Pot life is 30 minutes, recoat from 30 minutes to 3 days, and full cure is 7 days.
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.
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Surface Prep:
Do not apply if surface temperature is below 45ºF (7ºC) or above 110ºF (43ºC), 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 cleaning, surface prep, and primer sealing. KBS MAXX may be applied over most epoxy and/or urethane primers. Follow the primer manufacturer's topcoat guidelines.
Mixing and Mix Ratio:
Always mix KBS MAXX Base (color) thoroughly. KBS MAXX is a high solids coating, so mixing well is key to long term durability and appearance. Use of the KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer or a 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 or 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.
Once mixed, plan on a 30 minute pot life. Do not return mixed material to the original can.
Click HERE to Get Answers To Your QuestionsApplication Characteristics:
Mix Ratio: Mix 3:1 (Base Component:Activator)
Reducer: Ready to Apply. 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 with no scuffing
Force Cure: Allow 15 minutes to flash, then 20–30 minutes @ 140°–180°F
Full Cure: A function of Time, Temperature, and Film Build. Full Cure is usually at least 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.
Spray Equipment Settings
Thinning for spray: KBS MAXX is pre-thinned and ready to spray as mixed. If your equipment calls for further reduction, add KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene at 5–10% and strain the mixed material through a 100-micron filter before spraying.
Note: The above parameters are to be used as a guideline only. Customer-specific equipment may require a different set-up. For a full walkthrough of gun setup and technique, see our Paint Spraying Guidelines.
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/or Roll
Utilize a poly bristle brush, a high-density foam roller, or a low profile roller, and reduce or 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 well. They are designed to flow out.
Brushing metallic colors: A popular technique is to brush out the KBS MAXX, let the coat set for a few minutes, then lightly brush the surface again in one direction. This helps float the metallic pigments to the surface.
Click HERE to Get Answers To Your QuestionsDry 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. Full cure is 7 days. 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.
Clean 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.
Note: Lacquer thinner is listed here for cleanup only. Do not use it to reduce or thin KBS MAXX, as it is not compatible as a reducer. Reduce with KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene.
Technical Data:
Physical Properties
Chemical Resistance
Frequently Asked Questions — KBS MAXX
Answers to the most common KBS MAXX application questions. Ready to start? Order KBS MAXX and get it shipped fast.
KBS MAXX is a two-component polyurethane topcoat designed for the automotive, agricultural, fleet refinishing, marine, and heavy industrial equipment markets. It applies over clean, prepared ferrous metal and aluminum, over the KBS 3-Step System, and over most epoxy and urethane primers.
Whatever the surface, it must be clean and dry and free of all grease, dirt, oil, rust, and foreign material before you begin. Follow the primer manufacturer's topcoat guidelines when applying over another brand of primer.
For the ultimate in surface cleaning, surface prep, and primer sealing, use the KBS 3-Step System of KBS Klean, RustBlast, and RustSeal underneath KBS MAXX.
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. 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. KBS MAXX is a high solids coating, so thorough mixing is key to long term durability and appearance.
Once mixed, pot life is 30 minutes. The mixture doubles in viscosity within that window, so mix only what you can apply. Do not return mixed material to the original can.
Do not apply KBS MAXX if the surface temperature is below 45 degrees F (7 degrees C) or above 110 degrees F (43 degrees C), or if the surface temperature is within 5 degrees F of the dew point. A surface close to the dew point can carry condensation you cannot see, which causes adhesion problems. Allow the product and the surface to reach a stable temperature before you begin.
Tested at 77 degrees F and 50% relative humidity:
Touch dry: 30 minutes
Through dry: 1 to 2 hours
Hard dry (resistant to handling and light abrasion): 3 to 4 hours
Recoat window: 30 minutes to 3 days with no scuffing
Full cure: usually at least 7 days
Force cure is possible: allow 15 minutes to flash, then 20 to 30 minutes at 140 to 180 degrees F. Curing is a function of time, temperature, and film build, so cold or heavy coats take longer.
Theoretical coverage is 450 square feet per gallon at 2 mils DFT, one coat. That works out to roughly 112 square feet per quart and 2,250 square feet per 5 gallons.
Theoretical coverage does not account for material lost in mixing, in the gun, or in overspray, and rough or porous surfaces consume noticeably more. Recommended film thickness is 1.5 to 2.0 mils DFT per coat, so build your estimate around the number of coats you plan to apply.
All three. KBS MAXX and MAXX Activator are pre-thinned and ready to brush, roll, or spray once mixed at 3:1.
For brushing and rolling, use a poly bristle brush, a high-density foam roller, or a low profile roller, and reduce or thin with KBS #1 Thinner as needed. For spraying, KBS MAXX works with conventional electrostatic, conventional suction, HVLP, air assisted airless, and airless equipment. If thinning is needed for spray, add KBS #1 Thinner or Xylene at 5 to 10% and strain the mixed material through a 100-micron filter. Do not reduce KBS MAXX with lacquer thinner; it is not compatible as a reducer, though it is fine for equipment cleanup. Gun settings for each setup are listed in the Application section above, and there is more detail on our Paint Spraying Guidelines page.
Spraying: lay down a nice covering coat, wait a minute or two, and before it tacks over, apply a mist coat with the gun held farther back and the trigger pulled only 50 to 75%. This keeps the metallic on the surface instead of letting it float, which is what produces the sparkle.
Brushing: brush out the KBS MAXX, let the coat set for a few minutes, then lightly brush the surface again in one direction. That second pass floats the metallic pigments back to the surface.
Use KBS #1 Thinner, Xylene, or lacquer thinner, and clean up immediately before the material dries. Lacquer thinner is acceptable here even though it must not be used to reduce KBS MAXX, because cleanup and reduction are different jobs. Once KBS MAXX has cured it cannot be removed by any solvent, so do not leave a gun or brush sitting. Always wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact.
Yes. KBS MAXX passes MEK 100 double rubs at 24 hours and rates Excellent against lubricating and cutting oils, 10% hydrochloric acid, 10% acetic acid, 10% sodium hydroxide, and water immersion. It passes JP-5 jet fuel at 70 degrees F for 7 days and Skydrol at 150 degrees F for 24 hours with no discoloration.
For heat, KBS MAXX handles continuous dry temperatures up to 400 degrees F, which covers engine compartments, exhaust-adjacent brackets, and industrial equipment. Dry heat resistance testing shows less than 1.0 DE color shift after 1 hour at 250 degrees F.
More KBS MAXX questions and answers: KBS MAXX Information & FAQs, the KBS Support Desk, and the KBS MAXX Support Forum.
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