The finish starts here
Surface Prep
Clean, remove, etch, and neutralize with professional-grade products chosen to help your stain, sealer, or coating perform its best.
Shop surface prep
Start with the right foundation
Choose by surface condition
What does your concrete need?
Prep is not one-size-fits-all. Start with what is currently on the concrete, then follow the preparation requirements for the stain, sealer, or coating you plan to apply.
Oil, grease, or heavy dirt
Use CR-580 Degreaser to remove contaminants before any additional prep or finish is applied.
Paint or existing sealer
Use CR-590 Paint & Sealer Remover first. Follow with Degreaser to remove softened residue before continuing.
Smooth, bare concrete
Use CR-765 Surface Prep & Etch when the finish system allows acid etching, then neutralize and rinse thoroughly.
After etching or acid stain
Use CR-585 Surface Neutralizer to neutralize remaining acidity before the next step.
Old interior floor finish
Use CR-521 Inside Floor Finish Remover to strip compatible sacrificial floor-finish layers.
Need abrasion or cleanup
Use a sanding screen for compatible abrasion and a vacuum squeegee to help remove rinse water and debris.
Typical bare-concrete workflow
Clean → Etch → Neutralize → Rinse → Dry
This is a common workflow before compatible stains and sealers. Always follow the preparation instructions for the exact finish you will apply; some high-performance coatings require mechanical grinding instead of acid etching.
1
Clean
Remove dirt, oil, grease, wax, and contaminants.
2
Etch
Open the pores of suitable bare concrete. Never let etch dry on the surface.
3
Neutralize
Neutralize remaining acidity after etching or acid staining.
4
Rinse
Rinse thoroughly until no powdery or gritty residue remains.
5
Dry
Allow the slab to dry completely before the next product.
Do the water test
Make sure the concrete can absorb
Place about ¼ cup of water on several areas of the clean, dry slab. Water should soak in and darken the concrete within about 30 seconds. If it beads or sits on top, sealer, coating, curing compound, oil, or another contaminant may still be present.
Surface prep FAQs
Before you begin
Good preparation is the most important step in helping the finish penetrate, bond, and perform properly.
Do I need to remove an existing sealer or paint?
Yes. Etching products work on bare concrete and will not reliably remove paint, coatings, curing compounds, or many sealers. Remove the existing film first, then clean the concrete thoroughly.
When should I use CR-580 Degreaser?
Use it to remove oil, grease, and other contaminants before etching, staining, sealing, or coating. Degreasing is also an important cleanup step after using paint and sealer remover.
Do I need CR-585 Surface Neutralizer?
Use Surface Neutralizer after CR-765 Surface Prep & Etch and after a reactive acid stain when its instructions call for neutralization. Then rinse thoroughly and allow the surface to dry.
Can acid etching replace diamond grinding?
Not for every system. Etching may be appropriate for certain stains and sealers, but many high-build or high-performance coatings require mechanical preparation. Follow the technical data sheet for the finish being installed.
How do I know the surface is ready?
The slab should be clean, dry, porous, and free of residue. Water should absorb rather than bead. The concrete should not feel oily, dusty, chalky, or slick.
Still unsure?
Tell us what is on your concrete now.
We can help you choose the right prep products before you order.