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I Did Not Dilute KBS Klean With Water. What Should I Do?

Rinse the surface extremely well with clean water. Undiluted KBS Klean, or a mix that is too strong for the job, is the most common cause of a residue left behind. To clear residue that is already there, dampen a green Scotch-Brite style pad with clean water and gently scrub the affected area until the remaining cleaner rinses away.

KBS Klean Residue: Quick Facts

Cause: used undiluted or too concentrated
Fix: green abrasive pad plus clean water, then rinse
Minimum dilution: 1 part KBS Klean to 1 part water
Why it matters: leftover cleaner blocks coating adhesion
Do not coat over it. Any cleaner left on the surface can interfere with the adhesion of the next coating step. Clearing the residue is not cosmetic housekeeping, it is the difference between a coating that bonds and one that lets go later.

Clearing Residue That Is Already There

  1. Dampen a green Scotch-Brite style abrasive pad with clean water.
  2. Gently scrub the affected area to break up and lift the remaining cleaner.
  3. Rinse the surface extremely well with clean water.
  4. Let the surface dry completely before moving to the next step.

Plain water and a pad are all this takes. You do not need a solvent, and you should not reach for one here: solvent based cleaners can leave an invisible residue of their own that interferes with paint adhesion and appearance.

Getting the Dilution Right Next Time

KBS Klean must always be diluted with water, and warm or hot water works best. The minimum ratio is 1 part KBS Klean to 1 part water, which is the heavily soiled setting. Lighter jobs use much less concentrate: 5 parts hot water to 1 part for moderate soil, 10 to 1 for light soil, and 25 to 1 for non ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper and brass. Full ratios are on the dilution ratios page.

The Other Way Residue Happens

Letting KBS Klean dry on the surface causes the same problem even at a correct ratio. The directions are explicit: do not allow KBS Klean to dry before rinsing. On a warm day, on a large panel, or on a part sitting in the sun, this happens faster than people expect. Work in sections and keep the surface wet until you rinse it.

Before You Paint or Coat

Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning and let the surface dry. Metal surfaces cleaned with KBS Klean should then be treated with RustBlast before painting to ensure proper adhesion.

Frequently Asked Questions: KBS Klean Residue

I did not dilute KBS Klean with water. What should I do?

Rinse the surface extremely well with clean water. If a residue remains, dampen a green Scotch-Brite style pad with clean water and gently scrub the affected area, then rinse again and let it dry.

Almost always because it was used undiluted or at too strong a concentration for the job, or because it was allowed to dry on the surface before rinsing. Both leave cleaner behind on the metal.

No. Any cleaner left on the surface can interfere with the adhesion of the next coating step. Clear the residue and rinse thoroughly before you coat.

No. Clean water and a green abrasive pad are enough. Avoid solvent based cleaners, which can leave an invisible residue of their own that interferes with paint adhesion and appearance.

1 part KBS Klean to 1 part water, using warm or hot water. That is the heavily soiled setting. Lighter soil uses 5 to 1 or 10 to 1, and non ferrous metals use 25 to 1.

No. The residue sits on the surface and comes off with water and a pad. Nothing about it is permanent as long as you clear it before coating.

Still have questions about KBS Klean residue? Contact us for help.

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