{"product_id":"watco-etch-clean","title":"Watco Etch \u0026 Clean","description":"\u003cp\u003eWatco Etch \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sound concrete surface gives a compatible floor coating a better base to bond to. Etch \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombined concrete etching and cleaning treatment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelps remove weak surface laitance before painting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour change indicates the reaction during application.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSurface Preparation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweep 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Data\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComposition\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHydrochloric acid based etchant with water based degreasers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSuitable substrate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare, porous concrete\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUse\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterior and exterior\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eShelf life\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 months unopened\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCoverage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply no more than 20m² per 5L (4m²\/L). Concrete condition can affect consumption and repeat treatment may be necessary where laitance remains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDirections for Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistribute over the prepared concrete and scrub vigorously with a suitable broom or scrubbing machine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave for approximately 15 minutes, until frothing stops and the pink formulation turns white or clear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlush with generous quantities of clean water to remove every trace of the product. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrush and vacuum away loosened particles. Scrape the surface with a coin: if powdery laitance still comes away easily, repeat treatment before painting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLimitations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct FAQs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is concrete laitance?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a weak, powdery cement-rich layer on the concrete surface. Removing it helps create a sound base for the specified coating system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it on a painted floor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Etch \u0026amp; Clean is intended for bare porous concrete and is unsuitable for painted or sealed surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know treatment is complete?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWait 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it remove heavy oil deposits?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeavy oil and grease should be removed with a suitable degreaser before etching, followed by thorough rinsing and drying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Sheets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0933\/9017\/6596\/files\/watco-uk_tds_etch_and_clean_01_23.pdf?v=1794397455\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTechnical Data Sheet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0933\/9017\/6596\/files\/watco-Etch___Clean__GB_EN__6_00__30_11_2024.pdf?v=1794397454\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSafety Data Sheet (GB)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0933\/9017\/6596\/files\/watco-Etch___Clean__GBNI_EN__6_00__30_11_2024.pdf?v=1794397455\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSafety Data Sheet (GBNI)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Watco","offers":[{"title":"5L","offer_id":58279526170964,"sku":"EC5","price":41.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0933\/9017\/6596\/files\/watco-etch-etch_and_clean.jpg?v=1794397427","url":"https:\/\/andrewscoatings.co.uk\/products\/watco-etch-clean","provider":"Andrews Coatings Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}