What is XTC Clear?
XTC Clear is a high temperature, heat resistant silicone clear coat formulated to protect metal surfaces operating above 500°F, withstanding continuous service up to 1200°F without burning off. It is UV stable, will not peel, flake, or chalk, and adds gloss when applied over other XTC colors on headers, grills, stoves, and other high-heat metal.
1200°F
Continuous Heat Resistance
350°F / 20-30 Min
Heat Cure
6 Sizes
Aerosol to 5-Gal Pail
XTC Clear is ideal for exterior applications and is a popular pick for custom grills and smokers when a patina look is desired, since it protects bare or previously coated metal without hiding the surface underneath. With proper surface prep, XTC Clear provides outstanding adhesion, film integrity, weathering, and thermal shock resistance.
XTC Clear can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed, and is available in Aerosol, 8oz, Pint, Quart, Gallon, and 5-Gallon Pail sizes. Note: XTC Clear is not designed for direct flame contact, which can reach temperatures of 3000°F, well beyond its 1200°F rating.
XTC Clear resists scratching and marring once heat cured and dries to the touch quickly. Satisfaction guaranteed!
XTC Clear works on bare or previously coated metal surfaces that run hot, including headers, mufflers, exhaust manifolds, grills, stoves, and furnace exteriors. Because it protects at temperatures above 500°F, it is suited to equipment that would blister or burn off with a standard high-heat paint.
- Automotive Exhaust
- Headers, mufflers, exhaust manifolds, and engine components exposed to continuous high heat.
- Grills & Smokers
- Custom BBQ grills and smokers, where a patina look is often desired under a protective clear coat.
- Stoves & Fireplace Equipment
- Wood, coal, pellet, and gas stoves; stove pipe; fireplace hoods, screens, and accessories.
- Industrial Heat Equipment
- Furnaces, kilns, ovens, compressors, and turbines operating in the 500 to 1200°F range.
XTC Clear differs from a standard high-heat paint because it is UV stable and formulated specifically for continuous service above 500°F without burning off. It will not peel, flake, or chalk once properly cured, and it adds gloss over other XTC colors rather than only serving as a topcoat.
- High Heat: Withstands continuous temperature up to 1200°F.
- Outstanding Weathering: Resists UV, does not chalk or fade over time.
- Long Lasting: Will not peel, flake, or chalk once heat cured.
- Quick Dry: Dries to the touch in as little as 15 minutes at 70°F.
- Scratch Resistant: Resists scratching and marring once heat cured.
- Rust Resistant: Helps protect the coated surface against rust.
- Flexible Application: Can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed.
- Aerosol Option: Available in a convenient aerosol can for small jobs.
- Adds Gloss: Applied over other XTC colors for a glossier finish.
Coverage scales with container size, from 10 to 15 square feet per coat from an aerosol can up to 1,800 to 2,000 square feet per coat from a 5-gallon pail. Two thin coats are recommended for full protection, so plan for roughly half the stated coverage per finished job.
| Size | Coverage per Coat |
|---|
| Aerosol | 10-15 sq. ft. |
| 8oz | 20-25 sq. ft. |
| Pint | 40-50 sq. ft. |
| Quart | 80-100 sq. ft. |
| Gallon | 360-400 sq. ft. |
| 5 Gallon Pail | 1,800-2,000 sq. ft. |
Recoat window: Allow 1 to 2 hours between coats, then let the final coat dry 8 hours before heat curing.
Pro Tip: XTC Clear can emit vapors during the first few heat cycles. Always ventilate fully during initial heat curing.
XTC Clear differs from leaving a high-heat coating bare in that it adds a protective, UV-stable gloss layer without hiding the color or patina underneath, while an uncoated finish is left exposed to weathering, scratching, and fading. Standard exterior clear coats fail at these temperatures; XTC Clear is formulated to survive continuous heat above 500°F.
| | XTC Clear | No Clear Topcoat |
|---|
| UV / weathering resistance | Yes, does not chalk or fade | Varies, unprotected finish weathers faster |
| Heat resistance | 1200°F continuous | N/A, no added protection |
| Scratch resistance | Improved once heat cured | Base coat only |
| Gloss / patina look | Adds gloss while preserving underlying color/patina | Matte or as-is finish |
| Extra application step | Yes, one more coat; heat cure happens once after the final coat, not as a separate required cycle | No, saves time |
Skipping the clear topcoat makes sense when a fully matte, unfinished look is wanted and UV exposure is minimal, since XTC Clear's main value is weathering protection and gloss on surfaces that see sunlight.
Once XTC Clear is applied and heat cured, the coated surface is ready for service. For bare metal that has not yet been primed, consider corrosion protection before the final clear coat.
- Step 1 — XTC Primer (optional, for corrosion protection)
- Zinc-rich, high-temperature primer for rust and corrosion protection on bare metal.
- Step 2 — XTC Clear (this product)
- Adds UV-stable gloss and weathering protection over the primer or existing color.
Shop XTC Primer
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common XTC Clear questions below — or
order XTC Clear now and get it shipped same day.
XTC Clear is a high temperature silicone clear coat rated for continuous service up to 1200°F. Unlike a standard exterior clear coat, it is UV stable, will not peel, flake, or chalk, and adds gloss over other XTC colors instead of only serving as a protective layer.
XTC Clear works on headers, mufflers, exhaust manifolds, custom grills and smokers, wood and pellet stoves, fireplace hoods, furnaces, kilns, and other metal surfaces that run above 500°F. It is not recommended for parts that will be immersed, direct flame contact, or cooking surfaces.
Yes. XTC Clear is a popular choice for custom grills and smokers when a patina look is desired, since it protects the surface without hiding the color or texture underneath, and adds gloss for a finished appearance.
Allow 1 to 2 hours between coats at 70°F. Aerosol applications only need 30 minutes between light coats. Let the final coat dry at least 8 hours before heat curing, regardless of application method.
Apply XTC Clear when air and substrate temperatures are between 50 and 82 degrees F, ideally 60 to 80 degrees F for aerosol application. Applying outside this range can affect leveling and dry time.
Prep the surface, apply two thin coats at 1.0 to 2.0 mils each by brush, roller, or spray, allow 1 to 2 hours between coats, then let the final coat dry 8 hours before heat curing at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes to reach full hardness.
Yes. XTC Clear is used on a range of metal substrates including aluminum and stainless steel. Surface prep matters most: sandblasting is ideal, or wire brushing and 60-80 grit sanding provide an equivalent anchor pattern for adhesion.
Flush spray equipment and hoses immediately after use with KBS #1 Thinner or lacquer thinner, and clean brushes or rollers the same way. Clean up before the coating dries, since dried XTC Clear is difficult to remove with solvent.
Coverage ranges from 10 to 15 square feet per coat from an aerosol can up to 1,800 to 2,000 square feet per coat from a 5-gallon pail. Expect up to 30% less coverage on rough surfaces, and plan for two coats per job.
Heat cure the final coat at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes to reach full hardness. On engines or headers, gradually cycle the equipment through several heat and cool cycles with full ventilation, since the coating can emit vapors during initial curing.
