What is KBS MAXX Clear?
KBS MAXX Clear is a two-component (2K) urethane clear coat that bonds directly to ferrous metal, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or additives required. It is permanently UV-stable, reaching 2H pencil hardness at 72 hours and passing 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing without yellowing, hazing, or peeling.
2H
Pencil Hardness @ 72 Hrs
160 in-lb
Impact Resistance
1,000 Hrs
QUV 313B UV Testing
KBS MAXX Clear is a low-VOC, moisture-cured polyurethane engineered for Direct To Metal (DTM), aluminum, and fiberglass applications. It delivers outstanding gloss retention, superior impact resistance, and long-lasting rust protection without yellowing or peeling over time.
Formulated for automotive, marine, agricultural, fleet, and heavy industrial applications, KBS MAXX Clear resists a broad range of chemicals including Skydrol and JP-5 jet fuel, and is available in High Gloss, Satin, and Flat sheen levels. Pair it with KBS MAXX color coating as a two-step finish system, or apply it direct to bare metal, aluminum, or fiberglass for standalone protection.
KBS MAXX Clear bonds direct to ferrous metal, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or additives required. Satisfaction guaranteed!
How to Clear Coat Over Rust and Preserve the Patina
KBS MAXX Clear bonds directly to ferrous (steel) metal, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or bonding additives required. It also applies over properly prepared existing coatings, preserves rust patina finishes, and works as a clear coat on concrete and exterior wood.
- Ferrous (Steel) Metal — Bonds direct-to-metal without primers or additives. Ideal for bare or flash-rusted steel requiring a durable clear finish.
- Aluminum — Excellent adhesion to aluminum surfaces in automotive, aerospace, and marine applications with no bonding agents needed.
- Fiberglass — Bonds directly to fiberglass surfaces including boat hulls, watercraft panels, and automotive body components without primers or additives.
- Existing Coatings in Sound Condition — Apply over properly prepared painted or coated surfaces as a protective clear top coat.
- Patina Surfaces — Seals and preserves surface rust while locking out moisture to halt active corrosion, keeping the natural oxidized look intact.
- Concrete — Functions as a clear concrete sealer when applied per the Clear Concrete Sealer directions.
- Wood — Provides a durable, weather-resistant clear finish on exterior woodwork, doors, and architectural wood surfaces.
Do I Need to Sand or Scuff Wood Before Clear Coating With KBS MAXX Clear?
Yes. Remove any existing failed coatings, sand the wood smooth, and remove dust before the first coat. The first coat of KBS MAXX Clear, thinned 30 to 50 percent with KBS #1 Thinner, tends to raise the wood grain, so the surface generally needs a second light sanding with 280 to 320 grit paper before the final coat goes on.
KBS MAXX Clear chemically cross-links during cure rather than relying on solvent evaporation alone, which is why it reaches 2H pencil hardness and 160 inch-pounds of impact resistance while standard 1K acrylic clears stay softer and more brittle over time. The formula stays permanently UV-stable, resisting yellowing and hazing through 1,000 hours of accelerated UV testing.
- MAXXimum Gloss Retention: Delivers a deep, consistent gloss (90-95% at 60 degrees for High Gloss) that holds up under UV, weather, and chemical exposure without fading or hazing.
- MAXXimum Impact Resistance: Rated at 160 inch-pounds of direct and indirect impact resistance; flexes with the substrate rather than cracking or chipping on impact.
- MAXXimum Weather Resistance: Passes 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing and 1,000 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray testing.
- MAXXimum Rust Protection: Provides a tough, moisture-impermeable barrier over ferrous metal and rust patina surfaces, stopping active corrosion.
- Chemical Resistant: Resists lubricating and cutting oils, Skydrol, JP-5 jet fuel, 10% hydrochloric acid, 10% acetic acid, and 10% sodium hydroxide.
- Outstanding Adhesion: Bonds direct to ferrous metal, aluminum, and fiberglass without primers or bonding additives.
- Fast Drying / High Solids: 60.5% volume solids with fast dry characteristics; polishable at 24 hours without waiting for a full 7-day cure.
- Permanently Non-Yellowing: True UV stability keeps the clear coat optically clear over time, with no chalking or yellowing.
- Polishable at 24 Hours: Reaches sufficient hardness for machine or hand polishing within 24 hours of application.
KBS MAXX Clear is used across automotive, marine, fleet, agricultural, and aerospace applications wherever a UV-stable, chemical-resistant clear finish is needed over metal, aluminum, or fiberglass. Sheen selection changes by use: High Gloss for automotive and marine, Satin for patina preservation, and Flat for industrial or tactical equipment.
- Automotive & Powersports
- Cars, motorcycles, wheels, bicycles, and specialty vehicles. Delivers an OEM-quality clear finish with superior scratch resistance for restoration projects, patina preservation, and factory-quality refinishing.
- Marine & Watercraft
- Boats, yachts, personal watercraft, and fiberglass hulls. Resists salt water, osmotic blistering, and UV degradation. Three coats recommended for surfaces consistently exposed to water immersion.
- Fleet & Commercial Vehicles
- Commercial vehicles, snow plows, fleet and municipal vehicles. Low-HAPs formula meets fleet refinishing standards while resisting road salt, chemicals, and weather.
- Agricultural & Industrial Equipment
- Tractors, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, and trains. Maintains gloss and color in demanding outdoor environments with constant UV and chemical exposure.
- Aerospace & High-Performance
- Passes Skydrol resistance (150 degrees F, 24 hours, no discoloration) and JP-5 jet fuel resistance (70 degrees F for 7 days). Suitable for aerospace components and high-specification industrial applications.
- Architectural & General
- Woodwork, doors, tools, and architectural metalwork. Non-yellowing formula for exterior-facing surfaces requiring long-term clarity and weather resistance.
One gallon of KBS MAXX Clear covers approximately 450 square feet in a single coat at 2 mils DFT, the theoretical coverage rate before material losses during mixing and application. Bare wood, rough, or sandblasted surfaces can absorb up to 50 percent more product than the theoretical rate.
| Container Size | Coverage (Single Coat at 2 mils DFT) |
|---|
| Quart | 110 sq. ft. |
| Gallon | 450 sq. ft. |
| 5 Gallons | 2,250 sq. ft. |
Marine and water-immersion note: apply a minimum of 3 coats for full protection on surfaces consistently exposed to water; each additional coat adds barrier protection against moisture intrusion and osmotic blistering on fiberglass.
Pro Tip: KBS MAXX Clear is polishable at 24 hours, so production and restoration schedules do not need to wait for the full 7-day cure to buff out a finish.
KBS MAXX Clear differs from a standard single-stage automotive clear coat in that KBS MAXX Clear chemically cross-links as a 2K polyurethane, while most single-stage automotive clears are 1K acrylics that cure by solvent evaporation alone and depend on a full basecoat/clearcoat paint system rather than bonding direct to bare metal.
| | KBS MAXX Clear | Standard 1K Automotive Clear |
|---|
| Bonds direct to bare metal/aluminum/fiberglass | Yes, no primer needed | No, requires a basecoat system |
| Pencil hardness | 2H at 72 hours | Typically softer, varies by formula |
| UV stability | 1,000 hours QUV 313B, permanently non-yellowing | Varies, many yellow or haze over time |
| Impact resistance | 160 inch-pounds direct/indirect | Not typically rated to this standard |
| Cure mechanism | 2K chemical cross-link | 1K solvent evaporation |
A standard single-stage automotive clear coat can be the simpler choice on a factory color-matched panel repair where the vehicle already carries a full OEM basecoat/clearcoat system and only a spot repair is needed.
KBS MAXX Clear is designed to be the final clear coat over an opaque color coating system, or applied direct-to-substrate for patina preservation and bare metal protection. It is not designed to go over KBS RustSeal, since RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection that a clear coat cannot provide.
- Over a Color Coat System
- Apply over a cured opaque color coat such as KBS MAXX. The color coat provides opacity and pigment-based UV protection; MAXX Clear adds gloss retention and a permanent non-yellowing finish on top.
- Direct to Metal, Aluminum, or Fiberglass
- Bonds direct without primers or additives, sealing bare metal against moisture with long-lasting rust protection.
- Patina Preservation
- Applied directly over cleaned surface rust, KBS MAXX Clear locks out moisture and halts active corrosion while preserving the natural oxidized appearance.
Shop KBS MAXX Color Coatings
Can KBS MAXX Clear Be Applied Over KBS RustSeal?
No. RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection, and a clear coat like KBS MAXX Clear cannot supply that pigment-based UV barrier. Use KBS MAXX Clear over a cured KBS MAXX color coat instead, or apply it direct to bare or lightly rusted metal for a standalone finish.
Preserving the Patina Look
Learn how to stop active rust while maintaining the natural oxidized patina finish on your restoration project.
Read Article →
KBS MAXX Clear Directions for Use
Complete surface preparation, mixing, application, and recoat window instructions for KBS MAXX Clear.
View Directions →
Paint Spraying Guidelines
Spray gun setup, pressure settings, and application techniques for achieving a professional finish with KBS coatings.
Read Guide →
Clear Concrete Sealer Directions
Step-by-step directions for using KBS MAXX Clear as a concrete sealer on garage floors, driveways, and masonry surfaces.
View Directions →
KBS MAXX Clear Supplemental FAQs
Additional technical questions and answers covering mixing ratios, compatibility, application conditions, and troubleshooting.
View FAQs →
KBS MAXX: The Color Coat Partner
KBS MAXX is the high-performance opaque color coating designed to work with KBS MAXX Clear as a two-step finish system.
Shop KBS MAXX →
Have questions before you buy? Find answers to the most common KBS MAXX Clear questions below, or
order KBS MAXX Clear now and get it shipped same day.
KBS MAXX Clear is a two-component (2K), low-VOC, permanently UV-stable moisture-cured polyurethane clear coat engineered for Direct To Metal (DTM), aluminum, and fiberglass applications with no additives needed. Unlike standard 1K acrylic clear coats that cure by solvent evaporation alone, KBS MAXX Clear chemically cross-links during cure, reaching 2H pencil hardness at 72 hours and 160 inch-pounds of impact resistance. It passes 1,000 hours of QUV 313B UV testing and 1,000 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray testing.
KBS MAXX Clear bonds direct to ferrous (steel) metal, aluminum, and fiberglass with no primers or bonding agents required. It also applies over properly prepared existing coatings and functions as a clear sealer on concrete and exterior wood with the correct surface prep.
Yes. Applied directly over cleaned surface rust, KBS MAXX Clear locks out moisture and halts active corrosion while preserving the natural oxidized appearance. Satin sheen (45 to 55 percent gloss) is the most popular choice for patina work since it avoids the shine of High Gloss.
Touch dry is 30 minutes, through dry is 1 to 2 hours, and hard dry is 3 to 4 hours at 77 degrees F. The recoat window runs 30 minutes to 3 days. KBS MAXX Clear is polishable at 24 hours but does not reach full cure for 7 days.
Apply between 45 and 110 degrees F, and stay at least 5 degrees F above the dew point. Testing was performed at 77 degrees F and 50% relative humidity, so dry and cure times run faster in warmer conditions and slower in cooler or more humid ones.
KBS MAXX Clear can be applied by brush, roller, or spray equipment including conventional, HVLP, air assisted airless, or airless. Mix 3 parts Base to 1 part MAXX Activator first. When brushing, apply an area and move on rather than reworking it, since overworking can force solvents out and leave visible brush marks.
Yes. Clean the fiberglass surface with KBS Klean diluted 10 parts hot water to 1 part KBS Klean, scuff with 600 to 1200 grit sandpaper, rinse, and let dry completely before applying. For marine or water-immersion fiberglass, apply a minimum of 3 coats.
Use KBS #1 Thinner, Xylene, or lacquer thinner immediately, before the coating dries. Once KBS MAXX Clear cures, it cannot be removed by any solvent. Wear protective gloves throughout mixing, application, and cleanup to avoid skin contact.
Mix 3 parts KBS MAXX Clear Base to 1 part MAXX Activator by volume, using a mechanical mixer such as the KBS Hurricane Paint Mixer. The mixture doubles in viscosity within 30 minutes, so mix only what can be applied in that window.
No. RustSeal requires a solid-color opaque topcoat for UV protection, and a clear coat cannot provide that pigment-based UV barrier. Apply KBS MAXX Clear over a cured KBS MAXX color coat instead, or use it direct to bare or lightly rusted metal for a standalone finish.
