What is XTC?
XTC Xtreme Temperature Coating is a silicone-based, heat-resistant paint that protects metal surfaces operating at continuous temperatures from 500°F to 1500°F and is guaranteed not to burn off. XTC applies by brush, roll, or spray in 12 colors plus clear, and resists thermal shock, UV, and weathering on headers, exhaust, stoves, grills, and smokers.
1500°F
Continuous Temp (1200°F Aerosols)
350°F / 20-30 min
Full Heat Cure
360-400 sq ft
Per Gallon at 1 Mil
12 Colors
Plus Clear and Zinc Primer
XTC is formulated specifically for metal that lives at exhaust and stove temperatures. With proper preparation, XTC provides outstanding adhesion, film integrity, weathering resistance, and thermal shock resistance across the entire 500°F to 1500°F range. XTC is UV stable, so exterior parts will not chalk or fade.
XTC needs no primer for adhesion: prep the metal, degrease with KBS Klean, and XTC bonds directly. For rust and corrosion protection, base coat with zinc-rich XTC Primer first, then top coat with the XTC color of your choice.
XTC is guaranteed not to burn off. Satisfaction guaranteed!
XTC pricing has two tiers: standard colors (Jet Black, Cast Iron Grey, Charcoal Metallic, Off-White, Flame Blue, Clear) run $27 for a 12oz aerosol up to $1,219 for a 5 gallon pail, and premium colors (Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Pure White, Rocket Red, Pontiac Metallic Blue, XTC Primer) run $27 to $1,490.
| Size | Standard Colors | Premium Colors & XTC Primer |
|---|
| 12oz Aerosol | $27 | $27 |
| 8oz | $24 | $31 |
| Pint | $40 | $48 |
| Quart | $74 | $90 |
| Gallon | $265 | $308 |
| 5 Gallon Pail | $1,219 | $1,490 |
XTC Xtreme Temperature Coating withstands continuous temperatures up to 1500°F (1200°F for aerosols) without peeling, flaking, or chalking, and is guaranteed not to burn off. XTC dries to the touch in about 25 minutes at 70°F, reduces underhood and exhaust manifold surface temperatures, and can improve exhaust gas velocity.
- Temperature Range: Rated for continuous service from 500°F to 1500°F for liquid XTC; XTC aerosols and XTC Primer are rated to 1200°F.
- Guaranteed Not to Burn Off: With proper prep and heat cure, the finish is warranted against burn-off.
- Thermal Shock Resistance: Handles rapid heat and cool cycles on headers and manifolds without cracking.
- UV Stable: Will not chalk or fade outdoors, so it holds up on grills, smokers, and exterior stove pipe.
- Cooler Surfaces, More Flow: Reduces underhood and exhaust manifold surface temperatures and improves exhaust gas velocity to help horsepower.
- Scratch Resistant Once Cured: After the 350°F heat cure, the film resists scratching and marring.
- Brush, Roll, or Spray: Applies by conventional or HVLP spray, airless, brush, or roller, plus convenient 12oz aerosols.
- 12 Colors Plus Clear: Matte blacks, metallics, whites, reds, and blues, with XTC Clear gloss for added depth.
- Rust Protection Available: XTC Primer is not needed for adhesion, only for rust protection; the zinc-rich base stops corrosion under the color coat.
Important: XTC and XTC Primer are not designed for direct flame contact, which can reach temperatures of 3000°F, or for immersed parts or cooking surfaces.
XTC comes in 12 finishes: Jet Black, Cast Iron Grey, Charcoal Metallic, Off-White, Flame Blue, and Clear as standard colors, plus Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Pure White, Rocket Red, and Pontiac Metallic Blue as premium colors, and zinc-rich XTC Primer in matte grey. Most colors are also available in 12oz aerosols.
Want to see an exact color before ordering?
Request a Free Color Sample →
XTC protects any metal surface that operates at sustained temperatures between 500°F and 1500°F, including automotive headers, exhaust manifolds, mufflers, heat shields, wood and pellet stoves, stove pipe, BBQ grills, smokers, and fireplace surrounds. XTC is for exterior surfaces only, never immersed parts or cooking surfaces.
- Automotive & Powersports
- Headers, exhaust manifolds, mufflers, exhaust pipes, heat shields, brake calipers, and motorcycle exhaust systems.
- Stoves & Fireplace
- Wood, coal, pellet, and gas stoves, cast iron stoves and stove pipe, fireplace hoods, screens, surrounds, and accessories.
- Outdoor Cooking
- BBQ grill bodies, smoker exteriors, and fire pit surrounds. Not for surfaces food touches directly.
- Industrial
- Furnaces, kilns, ovens, compressors, turbines, engine components, and any metal equipment in sustained high-heat service.
XTC covers a theoretical 360 to 400 square feet per gallon at 1 mil, and the recommended film build is two thin coats of 1.0 to 2.0 mils each. One 8oz container coats a set of shorty headers or three sets of manifolds in two coats; a pint handles full-size headers or a complete exhaust system.
| Container Size | Coverage (Single Coat) |
|---|
| Aerosol (12oz) | 10-15 sq. ft. |
| 8oz | 20-25 sq. ft. |
| Pint (16oz) | 40-50 sq. ft. |
| Quart (32oz) | 80-100 sq. ft. |
| Gallon (128oz) | 360-400 sq. ft. |
| 5 Gallon (640oz) | 1,800-2,000 sq. ft. |
| Common Application | Size Needed | Coats |
|---|
| 3 Sets of Automotive Manifolds | 8oz | 2 |
| Set of Shorty Headers | 8oz | 2 |
| Set of Full-Size Headers | Pint | 2 |
| Complete Automotive Exhaust System | Pint | 2 |
Pro Tip: Material losses during mixing and application (especially when spraying) should be taken into consideration. On rough or porous surfaces, expect roughly 20-30% less coverage.
XTC differs from standard hardware-store high heat spray paint in service rating and finish life: liquid XTC is rated for continuous 1500°F service and is guaranteed not to burn off, while typical high heat enamels are rated lower, are aerosol-only, and carry no burn-off guarantee. XTC also brushes, rolls, or sprays and comes in 12 colors plus clear.
| | XTC | Standard High Heat Spray Paint |
|---|
| Continuous temperature rating | 1500°F liquid, 1200°F aerosol | Varies, commonly 500-1200°F |
| Burn-off guarantee | Yes, guaranteed not to burn off | Typically none |
| Application methods | Brush, roll, spray gun, or aerosol | Aerosol only |
| Color choices | 12 colors plus clear and metallics | Typically black and silver |
| Corrosion protection option | Zinc-rich XTC Primer base coat | Rarely offered |
A standard high heat rattle can costs less up front and is the simpler choice for a quick, single-color touch-up on a part that never sees sustained temperatures above its rating.
XTC is applied in four steps: prep bare metal by sandblasting or 60-80 grit sanding, degrease with KBS Klean mixed 10:1, apply two thin coats of 1.0 to 2.0 mils each with 1 to 2 hours between coats, then heat cure at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes after an 8 hour flash-off. Apply when air and metal are between 50°F and 82°F.
- Step 1: Prep the Surface
- Sandblast, or use a wire wheel or 60-80 grit sandpaper, to leave an anchor pattern on clean, dry metal.
- Step 2: Degrease
- Wash with KBS Klean at a 10:1 water-to-Klean ratio, rinse, and let the surface dry thoroughly.
- Step 3: Apply Thin Coats
- Brush, roll, or spray two thin covering coats, 1.0 to 2.0 mils dry film each, allowing 1 to 2 hours between coats (30 minutes between aerosol coats).
- Step 4: Heat Cure
- After 8 hours of flash-off, cure at approximately 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, in an oven or by the gradual engine idle method in the directions.
Read the Full XTC Directions & TDS →
Safety First: Always wear protective gloves and safety glasses and work in a well-ventilated area. When spraying, wear a NIOSH/MSHA approved organic vapor particulate respirator. XTC can emit potentially harmful vapors during the first few heat and cool cycles, so ventilate fully during initial heat curing.
Do You Need XTC Primer First?
XTC Primer is not required for adhesion; properly prepped XTC bonds directly to metal. XTC Primer is a zinc-rich, 1200°F corrosion-resistant base coat, so use it when the part needs rust protection, then top coat with one coat of XTC color.
Can You Thin XTC?
XTC can be thinned up to 5% with KBS #1 Thinner only. Other thinners, including lacquer thinner, can hinder performance and void the product guarantee. Lacquer thinner is fine for cleanup, just not for thinning.
Round out a high-temp project with the rest of the KBS lineup.
- XTC Primer
- Zinc-rich, 1200°F base coat when the part needs rust and corrosion protection under the color.
- XTC Clear
- Gloss clear over cured XTC colors for added depth and sheen on show pieces.
Shop XTC Clear →
XTC Directions & Technical Data Sheet
Step-by-step prep, application, thinning, and heat cure directions with the full TDS.
Read the Directions →
XTC Supplemental Questions & Answers
Deeper answers on motorcycle exhaust, leaving XTC Primer as the finish coat, and more.
Browse the Q&A →
Paint Spraying Guidelines
Gun setup, spray pressure, tip size, and technique for a smooth XTC finish.
Read the Guide →
KBS Instructional Video Library
80+ free how-to videos, including the full XTC prep, spray, and heat cure series.
Watch the Videos →
Customer Photos & Projects
Real customer projects finished with XTC and other KBS coatings.
See the Gallery →
Before & After Photos
Side-by-side transformations showing what proper prep and coating deliver.
See the Results →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common XTC questions below — or
order XTC now and get it shipped same day.
XTC Xtreme Temperature Coating is a silicone-based, heat-resistant paint that protects metal operating at continuous temperatures from 500°F to 1500°F. Unlike typical high heat paints, XTC is guaranteed not to burn off, applies by brush, roll, or spray as well as aerosol, comes in 12 colors plus clear, and resists thermal shock, UV, and weathering.
Liquid XTC withstands continuous temperatures from 500°F to 1500°F. XTC aerosols and XTC Primer are rated to 1200°F. XTC is not designed for direct flame contact, which can reach 3000°F, or for immersed parts or cooking surfaces.
XTC comes in 12 finishes: Jet Black, Cast Iron Grey, Charcoal Metallic, Off-White, Flame Blue, and Clear (standard), plus Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Pure White, Rocket Red, and Pontiac Metallic Blue (premium), and zinc-rich XTC Primer in matte grey. You can request a free color sample before ordering.
XTC is the color and clear top coat rated to 1500°F. XTC Primer is a zinc-rich, corrosion-resistant base coat rated to 1200°F. XTC Primer is not required for adhesion; XTC bonds directly to properly prepped metal. Use XTC Primer when the part needs rust protection, then apply one coat of XTC color over it.
One 8oz container coats a set of shorty headers, or three sets of manifolds, in two coats. A pint covers a set of full-size headers or a complete automotive exhaust system in two coats. XTC covers a theoretical 360 to 400 square feet per gallon at 1 mil; expect 20-30% less on rough surfaces.
Apply two thin covering coats of 1.0 to 2.0 mils dry film each, allowing 1 to 2 hours between coats (30 minutes between aerosol coats). XTC is not formulated to work as a thick coating: multiple very thin coats is always the best practice, and over-application can cause blistering.
No. Sandblasting leaves the ideal anchor pattern, but a wire wheel, wire brush, or 60-80 grit abrasive sanding provides an equivalent surface. After mechanical prep, wash with KBS Klean at a 10:1 water-to-Klean ratio, rinse, and let the metal dry thoroughly before coating. There is no need to pre-heat the surface; just apply between 50°F and 82°F.
XTC air dries to the touch, but the resins only reach full hardness after a heat cure of approximately 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, done after an 8 hour flash-off from the final coat. No heat cure is needed between coats, only air dry time. On a vehicle, cure by the gradual engine idle method in the directions: three smoke-and-cool cycles, then run until the smoke dissipates. Ventilate fully during the first heat cycles.
XTC applies by conventional or HVLP spray (35-45 psi siphon, 25-35 psi gravity, 1.0-1.5 tip), airless spray, brush, roller, or 12oz aerosol. Thin only with KBS #1 Thinner, up to 5%; never thin with lacquer thinner. Clean guns, brushes, and rollers immediately after use with KBS #1 Thinner or lacquer thinner.
XTC resists weathering on its own, but for true rust and corrosion protection, base coat the prepped metal with zinc-rich XTC Primer first, then top coat with one coat of XTC color. For parts that never exceed 500°F, such as frames and floors, use RustSeal instead.
The guys from 2 Guys Garage show off XTC High Temperature Paint
