Clean ‘n Etch is a concentrated, water-reducible phosphoric acid and detergent blend formulated to both clean and profile concrete, masonry, steel, galvanized and zinc surfaces before applying a coating, stain or sealer. Clean ‘n Etch is an economical concentrate which is diluted with water before use. The favorable safety and environmental attributes of Clean ‘n Etch reduce liability and improve productivity without a performance sacrifice.
On concrete, Clean ‘n Etch reduces preparation time by eliminating the separate pre-cleaning and rinsing operation before acid etching.
On Passivated Galvanized, Clean ‘n Etch degrades the passivation coating on galvinized steel and impoves coating adhesion.
On steel, Clean ‘n Etch cleans, degreases and provides a phosphate conversion coating for improved corrosion resistance and enhanced coating adhesion.
Clean ‘n Etch has no acidic vapors eliminating the accidental corrosion of ductwork, electrical contacts in machinery and equipment and other sensitive parts.
Additionally, Clean ‘n Etch is ideal for use in areas with limited ventilation such as basements, swimming pools, containment areas and pits.
Clean ‘n Etch is odorless, non-flammable and is safe to use near vegetation.
Concrete
Cleaning, degreasing and profiling the surface to prepare it for coating, staining or sealing. Removes many “cure & seal” compounds.
Masonry, Brick
Cleans mortar joints, removes excess mortar and dissolves efflorescence
Steel
Cleans, degreases, derusts and creates a phosphate conversion coating.
Galvanized
Removes the passivation film on galvanized steel to improve coating adhesion
| * All Plastic, Hand-Pump, Tank-Type Sprayer * Pressure Washer with an Acid Injector System * Plastic Sprinkling Can * Plastic Pail/Acid-Resistant Brush |
For Concrete Floors
- Select proper dilution (see Dilution Guide).
- Add concentrate to water and mix. If available hot water will accelerate cleaning and etching.
- Sweep loose debris. Dampen surface with water
- Apply solution to a 10′ x 10′ section so that a uniform film of the solution covers the area. Note: If no bubbling occurs, a coating, sealer or curing compound is preventing solution contact with the concrete. Remove before reapplication.
- Allow 5 minutes contact time and scrub with a broom or brush until the bubbling stops
- Triple rinse with water and scrub while rinsing.
- Allow surface to dry thoroughly and check the pH of the surface with pH indicator. If the pH is below 7.0, repeat steps 5 and 6.
For Steel
Brush or spray solution onto surface or immerse parts in Clean ‘n Etch solution. Refer to Dilution Guide for recommended concentrations. Allow 1 – 3 minutes contact time and rinse with hot water or wipe and force dry immediately.
For Shiny Galvanized
Spray 2 parts water:1 part Clean ‘n Etch solution onto surface. Allow 5 – 10 minutes contact time, rinse thoroughly with water.
For Hot Water Parts Washing:
Concentration: 1 oz. to 4 oz. per gallon
Temperature: 120°- 180°F
Pressure: 800 – 3,000 psi
- Thoroughly wet all surfaces of small parts. For larger parts, treat one section at a time working from top to bottom.
- Spray each side of the part with the wand tip 6″ – 12″ from the surface A 45° contact angle provides maximum soil removal. Use an overlapping spray pattern to insure complete coverage. Tilt parts to aid draining and reduce drying time.
- Rinse with hot water to prevent flash rusting.
For Derusting Steel Surfaces
Spray 2 parts water:1 part Clean ‘n Etch solution onto surface. Allow 5 – 10 minute contact time. Rinse surface with warm or hot water. Heavily rusted parts may require scrubbing while rinsing.
Clean ‘n Etch concentrate is intended to be diluted before use. Dilution rates vary with substrate, surface conditions, application method and the results desired. To determine the dilution for a specific job, mix test solutions based on the chart and compare the effect of different solutions.
| For Concrete | For 1 Gallon | For 5 Gallons | For 55 Gallons | |||
| Water | Clean ‘n Etch | Water | Clean ‘n Etch | Water | Clean ‘n Etch | |
| Light Duty: 25% (32oz./gal.) |
96 oz. | 32 oz. | 3.75 gal | 1.25 gal | 41.25 gal | 13.75 gal |
| Medium Duty: 33% (43 oz./gal.) |
85 oz. | 43 oz. | 3.33 gal | 1.67 gal | 37.00 gal | 18.00 gal |
| Heavy Duty: 50% (64 oz./gal.) |
64 oz. | 64 oz. | 2.50 gal | 2.50 gal | 27.50 gal | 27.50 gal |
| For Steel and Galvanized | For 1 Gallon | For 5 Gallons | For 55 Gallons | |||
| Water | Clean ‘n Etch | Water | Clean ‘n Etch | Water | Clean ‘n Etch | |
| Light Duty: 3% (4oz./gal.) |
124 oz. | 4 oz. | 4.75 gal | 20 oz. | 53.25 gal | 1.75 gal |
| Medium Duty: 6% (8 oz./gal.) |
120 oz. | 8 oz. | 4.67 gal | 40 oz. | 51.75 gal | 3.25 gal |
| Heavy Duty: 12% (16 oz./gal.) |
112 oz. | 16 oz. | 4.38 gal | 80 oz. | 48.50 gal | 6.50 gal |
| Specific Gravity | 1.024 |
| pH as supplied | 1.0 |
| pH @ 25 oz./gal | 1.1 |
| pH @ 10 oz./gal | 1.5 |
| pH @ 3 oz./gal | 2.0 |
| Biodegradable | No (Inorganic ingredients are not biodegradable, however they can be mineralized by plants.) |
| Stability | Stable |
| Diluent | Water |
| Solubility in Water | Complete |
| Storage Ability | Indefinite |
| Appearance | Transparent orange liquid |
| Odor | None |
| Flammable | No |
| Boiling Point | Over 212°F |
| Freezing Point | Below 32°F |
| Freeze/Thaw Stability | 3+ Cycles |
| CERCLA Quantity | 5,000 lbs. |
| RCRA No. | N/A |
To determine how much Clean ‘n Etch will be needed for a specific cleaning job, use the following guide:
| Calculate the total area to be cleaned by multiplying the length by height |
| Length X Height = Total Square Footage |
| ________ X ________ = ________ |
To determine the approximate gallons of Clean ‘n Etch required for Concrete:
- Select Light, Medium or Heavy Duty from the chart (below).
- Find the Square Feet of Coverage closest to the Total Surface Area in Square Feet to be cleaned.
- Use the number in the “Gallons of Concentrate” column for the number of gallons needed to clean a flat, smooth surface using a low pressure spray applicator.
Note: For rough, porous or corrugated surfaces, multiply gallons X 1.2.
For high pressure spray application multiply gallons X 1.3.
| Square Feet of Concrete Cleaning and Etching Coverage | |||
| Gallons Required | Light Duty 32 oz./gal | Med. Duty 43 oz./gal | Heavy Duty 64 oz./gal |
|
1 |
800 1,600 2,400 |
600 1,200 1,800 |
400 800 1,200 |
|
4 |
3,200 4,000 8,000 |
2,400 3,000 6,000 |
1,600 2,000 4,000 |
|
20 |
16,000 40,000 80,000 |
12,000 30,000 60,000 |
8,000 20,000 40,000 |
Clean ‘n Etch is phosphoric acid based and is corrosive. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet before use and observe all cautions particularly those regarding personal protection.
Clean ‘n Etch is available through Paint Dealers and Distributors throughout the United States and is manufactured in Livonia, MI. Call or write Great Lakes Laboratories toll-free at 1-800-888-1105 for the name of a dealer or distributor near you.
Clean ‘n Etch is available in 1 gallon plastic bottles, 5 gallon plastic pails with re-closable spouts and 55 gallon plastic drums.
Technical advice furnished by Great Lakes Laboratories, Inc. concerning any use or application of Clean ‘n Etch is reliable as current technology allows and the company makes no warranty, express or implied, of any use or application for which advice is furnished. Technical assistance and information is available upon request by calling Great Lakes Laboratories toll-free at 1-800-888-1105.
- Residential Basement
Job – Cleaning and etching basement floor before applying a coating
Substrate/conditions – Concrete / Light dust, dirt and laitance
Concentration – 3 Parts water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Acid resistant, tank-type garden sprayer, push broom
Procedure – Dampen surface with water. Apply solution using a coarse spray creating a uniform film of solution over a 10′ x 10′ area. Allow 5 – 7 minutes contact time. Thoroughly scrub solution into surface. Allow additional 5 minutes contact time. Rinse thoroughly with water and scrub while rinsing to insure complete removal of solution. Air or force dry. - Residential Garage Floor
Job – Cleaning and etching garage floor prior to coating application
Substrate/conditions – Concrete / Light dust, dirt and oil staining
Concentration – 2 Parts water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Plastic sprinkling can, push broom
Procedure – Working in 10′ x 10′ sections, dampen the surface with water. Apply the solution using the plastic sprinkling can so that the area is uniformly covered. Allow five minutes contact time then scrub the solution into the surface using a push broom. Allow an additional five minutes contact time then rinse thoroughly and scrub while rinsing. - Correctional Facility
Job – Neutralize alkali slats on newly poured concrete
Substrate/conditions – Newly poured concrete and concrete block
Concentration – 3 Parts water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Acid resistant, tank-type sprayer, pressure washer
Procedure – Apply solution with the tank sprayer using a coarse spray, after 15 minutes contact time, rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer. - Steel Fabricator of Truck Mounted Racks
Job – Clean and phosphatize fabricated racks prior to applying water-reducible coating
Substrate/conditions – Hot rolled steel / Mill oil, fines, grinding dust, heat scale
Concentration – 15 Parts hot water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Acid resistant, hand-pump sprayer, shop cloths
Procedure – Flood solution over the rack working from the top down, wipe down with clean shop cloths and blow dry with uncontaminated shop air. - Steel Fabricator
Job – Prepaint cleaning and phosphatizing of steel fabrication
Substrate/conditions – Hot rolled steel / Mill oil, lubricants, coolants, heat scale
Concentration – 50 Parts water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Hot water pressure washer with acid injector and dual-lance wand
Procedure – Flood surface of fabrication for 1½ minutes at 160°F at 1,200 psi. Immediately rinse with 160°F water and force dry with shop air. - Production Painting Shop
Job – Prepaint cleaning and phosphatizing of steel parts
Substrate/conditions – Ferrous and non-ferrous metal / Mill oil, lubricants, heat scale
Concentration – 30 Parts water : 1 part Clean ‘n Etch
Equipment – Heated, acid resistant, dip tank heated to 140°F
Procedure – Immerse parts in solution for 5 minutes then rinse with hot water and dry using compressed air or heated dryoff
A. United States Department of Agriculture
Clean ‘n Etch has been accepted with an A-3 category designation as a general cleaning agent on all surfaces or for use with steam or mechanical cleaning devices in all departments of USDA inspected facilities. Regulations require a potable water rinse following cleaning.
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