What is KBS 2K DTM Build Primer?
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is a two component urethane high build primer surfacer that sprays direct to metal and over body filler to fill and level a repair before the topcoat. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer mixes 4 parts base to 1 part activator, dries light grey, and sands easily wet or dry after 1 to 2 hours.
1 to 2 Hours
Cure Before Sanding
20 to 40 Min
Pot Life Once Mixed
387 sq. ft.
Per Gallon Kit, 2 Coats
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer Surfacer gets vehicles out the door quickly. The urethane build primer dries fast and builds quickly, so two coats fill sand scratches and minor imperfections and are ready to block sand the same day.
KBS 2K DTM Urethane Build Primer gives maximum topcoat holdout with minimal sand scratch swelling, and the light grey color provides a neutral base for your paint. Professionals all over the USA trust it in their shops. Every kit includes 1 gallon (128 fl. oz.) of base and 1 quart (32 fl. oz.) of activator, already portioned at the 4:1 ratio.
One primer for the whole repair: direct to bare metal, over body filler, and over sanded OEM finishes.
Panels primed with KBS 2K DTM Build Primer: two coats, ready to sand in 1 to 2 hours.
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer bonds direct to bare steel, galvanized steel and aluminum, and also goes over fiberglass and SMC, body filler, polyester, putties, etching primers, OEM primers and finishes, lacquers, enamels and urethanes. Every surface must be clean, sanded with 240 grit as needed, and 100% dry before KBS 2K DTM Build Primer goes on.
- Bare metal: Steel, galvanized steel and aluminum, with no separate primer underneath.
- Body filler, polyester and putties: Spray over the sanded repair to fill sand scratches and level the panel.
- Fiberglass and SMC: Prime composite panels and parts.
- Etching primers: Build over a self-etching primer when the job needs more fill.
- OEM primers and finishes: Prime over sanded factory paint.
- Lacquers, enamels and urethanes: Prime over existing finishes once they are cleaned and sanded.
All substrates must be prepared according to the TDS and directions.
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer combines high build fill with very soft sanding. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer works as a high build or medium build primer, resists sand scratch swelling, sands easily wet or dry within short dry times, and holds out the topcoat gloss, so the finish over it looks as good as the paint in the can.
- Resists sand scratch swelling: Sand scratches stay filled instead of reappearing under the topcoat.
- Easy to sand, wet or dry: Very soft sanding that does not fight the block.
- 4:1 mix ratio: Simple to measure, with the activator included in the kit.
- Excellent topcoat gloss holdout: The topcoat keeps its gloss instead of sinking into the primer.
- Light grey color: A neutral base to paint over.
- Exceptional filling: Fills sand scratches and minor imperfections in two coats.
- High build or medium build: Use one primer for heavy fill or a lighter surfacer coat.
- Excellent adhesion: Bonds direct to metal and to the substrates listed above.
- Fast curing: Ready to sand in 1 to 2 hours.
To apply KBS 2K DTM Build Primer, mix 4 parts base with 1 part activator, spray with a 1.7 to 2.0 mm tip, and apply 2 coats, putting on the second coat when the first one dulls, usually 5 to 10 minutes. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is ready to sand in 1 to 2 hours.
- 1. Prep the surface
- Remove loose debris, grease, oil, gasoline, rust and dirt. KBS Klean is the ideal surface prep. Sand with 240 grit as needed, rinse, and make sure the surface is 100% dry.
- 2. Measure and mix
- In a mixing cup, carefully measure 4 parts base and add 1 part activator. Mix thoroughly. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is ready to spray; if needed, thin up to 10% with KBS #1 Thinner.
- 3. Set up the gun
- Use a 1.7 to 2.0 mm tip at 35 to 45 psi for siphon or pot guns, or 25 to 40 psi for gravity feed guns.
- 4. Spray 2 coats
- Two coats are typical for most applications. Apply the next coat when the first coat dulls, normally 5 to 10 minutes. Spray the mix within its 20 to 40 minute pot life.
- 5. Cure and sand
- Allow 1 to 2 hours or longer before sanding, wet or dry. If the sandpaper gums up, wait longer before sanding.
- 6. Clean up right away
- Clean the gun and tools with KBS #1 Thinner or lacquer thinner immediately, before the primer dries. Wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact.
Respirator required: Follow all caution and warning notices when spraying. Always wear either an air supplied respirator or a NIOSH/MSHA approved organic vapor cartridge respirator.
Conditions: Do not apply KBS 2K DTM Build Primer if the surface temperature is below 45°F (7°C), above 110°F (43°C), or within 5°F of the dew point.
One KBS 2K DTM Build Primer gallon kit covers approximately 387 sq. ft. at about 8 mils (200 microns) total dry film thickness in 2 coats. Each kit holds 1 gallon of base and 1 quart of activator, and the mixed primer has a pot life of 20 to 40 minutes, so mix only what you can spray.
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer coverage, mixing and timing
| Kit contents | 1 gallon (128 fl. oz.) base and 1 quart (32 fl. oz.) activator |
|---|
| Coverage | Approximately 387 sq. ft. per kit at about 8 mils (200 microns) dry film thickness, 2 coats |
|---|
| Mix ratio | 4 parts base to 1 part activator |
|---|
| Thinning | Ready to spray; up to 10% KBS #1 Thinner if needed |
|---|
| Pot life | 20 to 40 minutes once mixed |
|---|
| Coats | 2 coats for most applications |
|---|
| Between coats | When the first coat dulls, normally 5 to 10 minutes |
|---|
| Before sanding | 1 to 2 hours or longer |
|---|
Pro Tip: Test the primer with a piece of sandpaper before you start blocking. If the paper gums up, KBS 2K DTM Build Primer needs more time, so wait longer before you sand.
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer differs from KBS Fusion SEP in that KBS 2K DTM Build Primer builds film to fill and level a repair for block sanding, while Fusion SEP is a fast drying self-etching primer for adhesion that is ready for a topcoat in 1 hour. Choose KBS 2K DTM Build Primer when the panel needs fill and sanding.
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer compared with KBS Fusion SEP
| | KBS 2K DTM Build Primer | KBS Fusion SEP |
|---|
| Main job | Fill and level a repair for block sanding | Self-etching adhesion primer, direct to metal and inter-coat |
|---|
| Next step | Sand after 1 to 2 hours | Topcoat after 1 hour |
|---|
| Application | Spray gun, 1.7 to 2.0 mm tip | Spray or brush, aerosol available |
|---|
| Sizes | Gallon kit: 1 gallon base, 1 quart activator | Six sizes, aerosol to 5 gallon pail |
|---|
| Color | Light grey | Medium grey |
|---|
KBS Fusion SEP is the better choice when the surface is already straight and only needs an adhesion primer, when you want to brush or use an aerosol, or when the job is too small for a gallon kit.
Build primer is one step in a body repair. Here is the KBS sequence from bare metal to a panel ready for paint.
- Step 1: KBS Klean
- Clean off grease, oil, gasoline and dirt, rinse, and let the surface dry completely.
- Step 2: KBS Premium Body Filler (dents and low spots)
- Fill, shape, cure 30 minutes, and sand P40, P80, P180.
- Step 3: KBS 2K DTM Build Primer
- Sand bare areas with 240 grit as needed, then spray 2 coats over the metal and the sanded filler.
- Step 4: Block sand
- After 1 to 2 hours, sand wet or dry until the panel is straight and smooth.
- Step 5: Topcoat
- Finish the panel with any KBS topcoat, such as BlackTop, KBS Top Coater or KBS MAXX, over the light grey base.
Shop KBS Premium Body Filler
KBS 2K DTM Build Primer Directions
Surface prep, mix ratio, gun setup, coats, sanding time and cleanup.
Read Directions →
How to Spray KBS Coatings: HVLP Spray Gun Guide
Tip sizes, air pressure and gun setup, including the larger tips build primers need.
Read Guide →
KBS Premium Body Filler Directions
Mix, spread and sand the filler that goes under the build primer.
Read Directions →
How To Prepare Metal Before Body Work To Prevent Future Rust
Prep and seal patch panels and repair areas before filler and primer go on.
Read Article →
A Body Repair Method That Keeps Rust From Coming Back
Why rust returns after body repair and how to seal it out under filler and paint.
Read Article →
KBS Primers for Metal, Fiberglass and Plastic
Compare the KBS build, self-etching, zinc rich and flexible plastics primers.
Shop the Category →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common KBS 2K DTM Build Primer questions below, or
order KBS 2K DTM Build Primer now.
No. DTM means direct to metal, and KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is the primer: it goes straight onto clean bare steel, galvanized steel and aluminum with no separate primer underneath. Clean the surface with KBS Klean, sand with 240 grit as needed, make sure it is 100% dry, then spray.
A DTM primer does not need another primer under it, but it does need a topcoat over it. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is a primer surfacer, not a finish: it fills and levels the repair and gives your topcoat a light grey base with excellent gloss holdout. Every KBS topcoat can be used over it. Some DTM products sold for buildings are combined primer and finish coatings, which is a different category.
Yes. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer can go over OEM primers and finishes, lacquers, enamels, urethanes and etching primers, as well as body filler, polyester and putties. The paint must be clean, free of grease, oil and dirt, sanded with 240 grit as needed, and 100% dry before the primer goes on.
The best DTM primer depends on the job. For automotive body work that needs filling and block sanding, a two component urethane build primer such as KBS 2K DTM Build Primer is the right choice: it builds film, resists sand scratch swelling and sands easily wet or dry. For a straight surface that only needs adhesion, a self-etching primer such as KBS Fusion SEP is faster and comes in an aerosol.
In a mixing cup, carefully measure 4 parts KBS 2K DTM Build Primer base and add 1 part activator, then mix thoroughly. The primer is ready to spray as mixed. If needed, thin up to 10% with KBS #1 Thinner. Each kit includes 1 gallon of base and 1 quart of activator, and the mixed primer has a pot life of 20 to 40 minutes.
Use a 1.7 to 2.0 mm tip. Set 35 to 45 psi for siphon or pot guns, or 25 to 40 psi for gravity feed guns. The KBS HVLP Spray Gun with the 1.8 mm tip falls inside that range.
All KBS topcoats can be used over KBS 2K DTM Build Primer, including BlackTop, KBS Top Coater and KBS MAXX. Sand the primer once it has cured 1 to 2 hours, clean off the sanding dust, and apply the topcoat over the light grey base, which gives excellent gloss holdout.
One KBS 2K DTM Build Primer gallon kit covers approximately 387 sq. ft. at about 8 mils (200 microns) total dry film thickness in 2 coats, the typical application. Apply the second coat when the first coat dulls, normally 5 to 10 minutes. A lighter medium build application covers more area.
Allow 1 to 2 hours or longer before sanding KBS 2K DTM Build Primer. It sands easily wet or dry. If the sandpaper gums up, the primer needs more time, so wait longer before sanding.
Yes. KBS 2K DTM Build Primer goes over sanded body filler, polyester and putties, and fills the sand scratches the filler leaves behind. KBS Premium Body Filler is sanded P40, P80 and P180 after a 30 minute cure, then primed with KBS 2K DTM Build Primer.
