Watco Etch & Clean
Litres required: 0.00L
Based on 4.0 m² per litre- Lightwork of heavy-duty repairs
- Structural strength solutions
Watco Etch & Clean prepares bare, porous concrete floors for painting by combining an acid etchant with water based cleaning agents. It removes surface laitance - the weak, powdery cement film that can interfere with adhesion - while helping clean light dirt and contamination from the floor.
A sound concrete surface gives a compatible floor coating a better base to bond to. Etch & Clean is useful during garage, workshop and warehouse floor preparation where the concrete needs etching before its specified primer or paint system. The formulation changes from pink to white or clear as it reacts, giving a visible guide during treatment. Heavy oil and grease should be removed separately with an appropriate degreaser first.
- Combined concrete etching and cleaning treatment.
- Helps remove weak surface laitance before painting.
- Colour change indicates the reaction during application.
Surface Preparation
Sweep away debris. Degrease heavily contaminated areas with Watco Concroff, rinse and allow to dry before etching. Slightly dampen exceptionally porous concrete to prevent excessive immediate absorption. Protect machinery, surrounding finishes and vulnerable metal from splashes and corrosive fumes.
Technical Data
| Composition | Hydrochloric acid based etchant with water based degreasers |
|---|---|
| Pack size | 5L |
| Suitable substrate | Bare, porous concrete |
| Use | Interior and exterior |
| Shelf life | 24 months unopened |
Coverage
Apply no more than 20m² per 5L (4m²/L). Concrete condition can affect consumption and repeat treatment may be necessary where laitance remains.
Directions for Use
- Distribute over the prepared concrete and scrub vigorously with a suitable broom or scrubbing machine.
- Leave for approximately 15 minutes, until frothing stops and the pink formulation turns white or clear.
- Flush with generous quantities of clean water to remove every trace of the product. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly.
- Brush and vacuum away loosened particles. Scrape the surface with a coin: if powdery laitance still comes away easily, repeat treatment before painting.
Limitations
Use only on bare porous concrete. Do not apply to painted or sealed floors, sand and cement screeds, self-levelling compounds or rust-prone bare metal. For new concrete, follow the intended coating's drying requirements: the technical sheet guides four weeks in summer or six in winter for water based coatings, and eight weeks for polyaspartic or high build systems. Read the safety sheet before handling.
Product FAQs
What is concrete laitance?
It is a weak, powdery cement-rich layer on the concrete surface. Removing it helps create a sound base for the specified coating system.
Can I use it on a painted floor?
No. Etch & Clean is intended for bare porous concrete and is unsuitable for painted or sealed surfaces.
How do I know treatment is complete?
Wait for frothing to stop and the pink colour to change to white or clear, then rinse thoroughly. After drying, repeat if a coin still easily scrapes off powdery laitance.
Does it remove heavy oil deposits?
Heavy oil and grease should be removed with a suitable degreaser before etching, followed by thorough rinsing and drying.
Data Sheets
We aim to deliver your products as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible. Below you'll find a full overview of our delivery process, options, pricing and terms. If you have any questions or a time-sensitive order, our team is always happy to help — just give us a call on 01902 712286.
📦 Standard Delivery
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Free delivery on all orders over £100 + VAT within UK mainland.
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For orders under £100 + VAT, a standard shipping fee will apply at checkout.
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Orders are typically delivered within 2–5 working days after receipt of cleared payment.
We use Parcelforce and FedEx as our main carriers, though this may vary based on location or size of your order.
⚠️ Important Notes on Delivery
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Orders placed after 12 midday (Monday–Friday) are usually dispatched the next working day.
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If you require urgent dispatch or Saturday delivery, please call us before placing your order.
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Do not schedule contractors or start work until goods have arrived and been checked — we cannot be held responsible for project delays due to late or damaged deliveries.
🚚 Next Day & Timed Delivery Options
We offer express shipping for orders needing a quicker turnaround:
| Service | Typical Cost* (Ex. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Next Day Delivery | £10.50 |
| Next Day AM Delivery | £15.00 |
| Specialist Items | £22–£25+ |
*Pricing depends on order contents and size. For mixed/tinted paint or specialist coatings, next-day delivery may cost more due to courier restrictions.
Please contact us if your order is time-sensitive — we’ll confirm what options are available based on your products and location.
📍 Delivery Outside UK Mainland
International Delivery
We are pleased to offer worldwide delivery on both parcel and pallet orders.
Parcel Shipments
All international parcel deliveries are handled by FedEx International. Shipping times and costs vary depending on destination, parcel size, and service availability.
Pallet Shipments (Including Dangerous Goods)
For palletised orders — including those containing dangerous goods - we work with independent specialist freight companies experienced in compliant global hazardous materials transport.
Due to the nature of these shipments, pricing and transit times are provided on a case‑by‑case basis.
Requesting an International Delivery Quote
If you would like to place an international order, simply get in touch and we will prepare a personalised shipping quote. Please provide the following details:
- Your full name
- Delivery address (including country and any required customs information)
- Details of the items you would like to order
- Quantities for each item
Once we have this information, we’ll handle the rest - from calculating the most suitable shipping method to arranging safe and compliant delivery to your destination.
🛠️ Specialist Products & Pallet Deliveries
Some coatings are made to order, particularly from premium brands like Sigma/PPG. These orders:
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May have longer lead times
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May carry a £150 + VAT delivery charge
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Could require pallet delivery — a separate charge may apply
If your order requires palletisation, we’ll contact you after checkout to confirm delivery costs. You're also welcome to contact us first for a delivery quote before placing the order.
📦 Stock & Availability
We hold a large amount of stock ready for immediate dispatch, but:
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Some products may need to be ordered in from manufacturers
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Specialist items may be tinted or made to order, causing additional lead time
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We’ll always aim to part-deliver where possible to avoid unnecessary delays
If you’re on a strict deadline, please get in touch before ordering so we can advise on delivery timeframes.
🚫 Delivery Liability
While we work hard to ensure your order arrives safely and on time, we use third-party carriers and cannot be held liable for:
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Delays in transit
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Lost shipments
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Goods damaged in delivery
If your order is damaged or delayed, please let us know as soon as possible. We are not always informed automatically by the courier, so your input is essential.
We will work with you to resolve any issues — whether that means replacing items or chasing the carrier.
Note: Address changes after dispatch may incur additional charges, so please double-check your delivery details at checkout.
🧾 Payments & Order Processing
Orders are only processed once full cleared payment has been received.
You will receive email updates at each stage of the process:
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Pending – order received
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Processing – being picked, packed or manufactured
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Dispatched – on the way with the carrier
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Back order / Part dispatched – if stock is split or delayed
Need Help?
If you're unsure about shipping costs, timelines, or need your order by a specific date, we strongly recommend giving us a quick call before placing your order:
📞 01902 712286
📧 info@andrewscoatings.co.uk
We're here to help make sure you get the right product, in the right place, at the right time.
