Metal Prep Products: Degreaser, Rust Remover, Rust Converter and Paint Stripper
Metal prep products clean, strip and etch a surface so paint bonds to metal instead of grease, rust or old coating. KBS Klean is a water-based degreaser that dilutes up to 25:1, RustBlast dissolves rust and leaves a zinc phosphate base coat, KBS Rust Converter turns rust into a black primed surface, and KBS Strip removes paint and powder coat.
Which Metal Prep Product Do I Need?
Pick by what is on the metal now. Most jobs use KBS Klean first, then RustBlast.
| What is on the metal | Choose | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Grease, oil, wax or road film, before any coating | KBS Klean | Water-based concentrate: mix 5 parts hot water to 1, wash 5 to 10 minutes, rinse clean |
| Rust, flash rust or bare metal that needs an etch | RustBlast | Keep wet 30 minutes to 2 hours by rust level, rinse, dry, then coat within 7 days |
| Rusted iron or steel with no time or access for full prep | KBS Rust Converter | 12 oz aerosol: up to 20 sq. ft. per can, dry in 10 minutes, topcoat after 24 hours |
| Old paint, powder coat, epoxy or a failed gas tank liner | KBS Strip | Spray-on semi-gel: a gallon strips 70 to 150 sq. ft. and washes off with water |
Doing the whole job? KBS 3-Step System | Flow chart |Ask an expert
What Else Do You Need After Metal Prep?
Prepped metal needs a coating: RustBlast leaves a 7 day window before the surface has to be painted. RustSeal is Step 3 of the KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System and goes on in a minimum of two coats. KBS Klean and RustBlast directions both call for protective gloves and safety glasses.
RustSeal
Step 3 after KBS Klean and RustBlast. RustSeal is a single-component rust preventive coating that bonds to the zinc phosphate base coat RustBlast leaves behind. Apply two coats minimum, within 7 days of prep.
KBS Paint Mixing Cup
Clear, flexible, graduated 1.75 quart cup for measuring and mixing. Pour out only the RustSeal you plan to use and paint from the cup, so the rest stays sealed in the can.
Nitrile Gloves
KBS Klean and RustBlast directions call for protective gloves and safety glasses every time. Have chemical resistant nitrile gloves on hand before the job starts.
Rust Remover or Rust Converter: Which Do I Need?
RustBlast removes rust and KBS Rust Converter converts it, and the biggest difference is what stays on the metal. RustBlast leaves etched metal with a zinc phosphate base coat, while KBS Rust Converter leaves the rust in place as an inert black primed layer. RustBlast treats aluminum and galvanized metal; KBS Rust Converter works on rusted iron and steel only.
| Feature | RustBlast | KBS Rust Converter |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to the rust | Dissolved, then rinsed off with water | Converted in place to an inert black layer |
| How it goes on | Liquid, full strength, by spray bottle, brush or roller | 12 oz aerosol, sprayed onto the rust |
| Metals | Steel, cast iron, galvanized, aluminum, brass, copper and chrome | Rusted iron and steel only |
| Surface prep first | KBS Klean, and scrape off loose rust and scale | Brush off loose, flaky rust |
| Time | Keep wet 30 minutes to 2 hours, rinse, dry completely | Dry to touch in 10 minutes, topcoat after 24 hours |
| What it leaves | Zinc phosphate base coat; coat within 7 days | Matte black primed surface; topcoat optional |
KBS Rust Converter is the better pick when time or access rules out full prep: weld seams, box sections, pitted steel and equipment too big to tear down. On metal that can be cleaned, etched and rinsed, RustBlast followed by RustSeal is the most durable rust protection KBS Coatings makes.
Metal Prep Learning Center
How to Prepare Metal for Painting for a Durable Finish
The cleaning and etching sequence with KBS Klean and RustBlast, step by step.
Read the Guide →How to Remove Paint from Metal: Stripper, Blasting and Sanding
Chemical stripper, blasting and sanding compared for taking old paint off metal.
Read the Guide →Does Rust Converter Work? Converter, Reformer and Full Removal Compared
When to convert rust in place, and when to remove the rust and seal the metal.
Read the Guide →Metal Prep Questions
The right prep product depends on what is on the metal: grease, rust or old paint. Most jobs start with KBS Klean and finish with RustBlast, and the coating goes on within 7 days. The answers below cover what buyers ask most before they order.
Prep metal in order: strip, clean, then etch. Remove any failing paint with KBS Strip. Wash off grease and oil with KBS Klean mixed 5 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, then rinse. Keep RustBlast wet on the metal for 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the rust, rinse with water, let the metal dry completely, and coat within 7 days.
For paint prep, an acid etch that also leaves a phosphate coating does the most in one pass. RustBlast is a water-based acid etch that dissolves rust, etches the metal and leaves a zinc phosphate base coat for paint to grip. RustBlast works on steel, cast iron, galvanized metal, aluminum, brass, copper and chrome, at 55°F to 90°F.
Yes. Paint bonds to whatever is on the surface, so grease, wax, rust or solvent residue left under a coating is where peeling starts. Blasted bare steel also begins to flash rust almost immediately. KBS Klean rinses away with no residue, and RustBlast leaves a zinc phosphate layer that holds the metal for up to 7 days until the coating goes on.
Use a water-based degreaser that rinses clean, not a solvent wipe. Solvent cleaners flash off and can leave an invisible film that blocks adhesion. KBS Klean, diluted with up to 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, lifts oil, grease, wax and road film and rinses away with water. Let the metal dry completely before primer or paint.
On metal that will be painted, yes: the two do different jobs. KBS Klean is a cleaner and degreaser and does not remove rust or etch. RustBlast removes rust and etches, and works far better on metal that is already free of oil and grease. KBS Klean is Step 1 and RustBlast is Step 2 of the KBS 3-Step Rust Prevention System, followed by RustSeal.
A rust remover dissolves rust off the metal, and a rust converter changes rust in place into a stable primed layer. RustBlast is the remover: it leaves clean, etched metal with a zinc phosphate coating. KBS Rust Converter is the converter: a 12 oz aerosol that turns rust into an inert matte black surface, dry to the touch in 10 minutes and ready to topcoat after 24 hours.
KBS Klean and RustBlast can. Dilute KBS Klean 25 parts hot water to 1 part for aluminum, copper and brass, and use a soft pad. Keep RustBlast on aluminum, brass and copper for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse and dry. KBS Rust Converter is for rusted iron and steel only and is not made for aluminum, copper or galvanized steel.
One gallon of KBS Klean makes 6 gallons of cleaning solution at 5:1 and 11 gallons at 10:1. Buy RustBlast in the same size as the RustSeal for the job: a quart with a quart, a gallon with a gallon. One can of KBS Rust Converter covers up to 20 sq. ft., and a gallon of KBS Strip covers 70 to 150 sq. ft.
Coat metal treated with RustBlast within 7 days. The zinc phosphate layer RustBlast leaves is what protects the etched surface for that window. Inside a fuel tank, the window is 10 days before KBS Tank Sealer goes in. Blasted or sanded bare steel has no such protection and starts to flash rust almost immediately.
Use KBS Strip. KBS Strip sprays on as a semi-gel that clings to vertical surfaces, stays active for up to 1 hour, and removes powder coating, epoxies, polyurethanes and gas tank liners. Wash KBS Strip off with water, then clean with KBS Klean and treat with RustBlast. KBS Strip works best with the product and the surface near 80°F.
More answers by product: KBS Klean FAQs | RustBlast FAQs | KBS Rust Converter FAQs
