KBS Diamond Clear Coat

[Mike Griffin]

I finally got around to using the Diamond Clear Coat I had ordered from KBS.  I used it on my new Electric Take Apart Ringmaster.  Now before anybody asks why I clear coated an electric powered plane, I will tell you.  I wanted to experiment with it as see how it went on.

This is a one part clear coat and you just open the can and brush it on or spray it.  I used a foam brush since I do not own a compressor and brushed it on right out of the can without thinning it.  The directions said it did not need to be thinned if brushed and if you sprayed only to thin it 15%.  WRONG on both counts.  If you brush it on you need to thin it at least with 40% thinner...I used 50/50 and to spray I would say probably even thinner.  Appied right out of the can it is to thick.  After I thinned it to about 60/40 it spread beautifully with a foam brush and give a dazzling bright finish.  According to the manufacturer it is impervious to everything.   They say to use their thinner but I checked with their tech dept and they said Xylene worked great as a thinner and that is what I used and he was right...makes a great thinner.

I will post some pictures of the plane one the clear coat is dry.. It dries relatively fast too... you can handle it without leaving a fingerprint in about 4 hours.

Just thought I would let you know...I like the product and if you do not have spray equipment it is really good.

Mike

[Pat]

Mike,

 Where do you get it? Online or is there a place (store) you get it from?

Pat

[Mike Griffin]

Pat I bought mine online but you may be able to find it in stores.  Just Google KBS Diamond Clear Coat and it will take you to their website where you can order it or they might have a list of dealers too.

MIke

[Pat]

Mike,

I suppose I could have done that up front. I was just being lazy.. Thanks!

Pat

[Crist Rigotti]

Did you weight the plane before and after so we know how much weight was added?  Please say yes!

[Mike Griffin]

Did you weight the plane before and after so we know how much weight was added?  Please say yes!

I am sorry Crist I didn't because I did not build the plane to compete with it is just a fun electric for me.  But ... tell you what.  I have some test frames that are covered and can do a weight test before and after on those if that will help.   I just did not think about it....

Mike

[Clint Ormosen]

I am sorry Crist I didn't because I did not build the plane to compete with it is just a fun electric for me.  But ... tell you what.  I have some test frames that are covered and can do a weight test before and after on those if that will help.   I just did not think about it....

Mike

That would be awesome because if the stuff adds 3 ounces of weight per coat, even sprayed on, it's a deal killer.

[Bob Reeves]

Sorry to bring up an old topic but wondering if anyone has actually done any weight measurement with this stuff yet. As said, if one coat adds 3 ounces I'm not interested.

[Steve Thomas]

Hi Bob, I did a Chizler with it recently using a foam brush, and it added 1.5 oz.  I imagine you could go fairly light on the paint, since you're relying on the KBS for all the gloss effect, and the overall increase would be even less.

Steve

[john e. holliday]

From what I've seen, the stuff can't add any more weight than two part automotive clear.  I usually go through 3 or more ounces when I spray the 2 part.   First time I used 2 part I only mixed 1 1/2 ounces and had 1/4 ounce left over by brushing it on. 

[Randy Ryan]

it will NOT add 3 oz, my Gladiator, the 720 sq in version, has one foam brushed coat and one sprayed coat totally 2 oz. Had I only sprayed I think is would have been 1 or just a tad over 1 oz. Mike is right, thinning much more that the instructions say is necessary. the only caution I put out there is when you spray, be extremely careful, even though this stuff kicks pretty fast, (the higher the humidity the faster) it also flows readily until the cure starts and it will run and sag.

[Avaiojet]

Anyone that uses this product can answer these questions.

Is it a two part product requiring a hardener?

Do you add plasticizer for open bay areas?

Can you sand the orange peel away and buff back a gloss easily?

Charles

[Randy Ryan]

Charles, one part, no plasticizer, it won't orange peel unless the humidity is very high.

[Dennis Toth]

Charles,
I have some that I'll bring to the field on Saturday. I used it as a test on my Yak Yak Bipe on the nose and over the MonoKote trim. I brushed it on and it is holding up great. It leveled just like Mike said. For the film I just wiped down the film with cleaner and again brushed it on. So far no lifting off the film.

One thing that the manufacture stated in the instructions was not to pour any material back into the original can after it is poured out.

Best,   DennisT

[Fred Cronenwett]

I used some on a CL scale project and noted that it's worth getting several new containers to put some in. I opened the can to test it and then sealed it up again and could barely get the top off again because lid was almost glued tight to the can.

The stuff is great and it worked just like the reviews said. However I didn't weigh the plane before and after so I don't know how much weight it added. Next project I will make sure I do the weight test.

To thin the stuff did you use normal paint thinner?

Fred

[John McFayden]

From the 1st message above on thinning.....

"According to the manufacturer it is impervious to everything.   They say to use their thinner but I checked with their tech dept and they said Xylene worked great as a thinner and that is what I used and he was right...makes a great thinner."

[Avaiojet]

I don't want to steal the Thread, but what about the two part aerosol can auto clear sold by Eastwood?

Anyone ever use that? 17.95.