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Cleaning surfaces

How to properly clean surfaces for paint application

Cleaning surfaces

How To Clean Surfaces Before Painting

Interior ceilings and walls must be cleaned before they are repainted, even if they already look clean. For example, the process of cooking food leaves fat deposits on kitchen walls, cabinets and ceilings. Dust builds up on door tops and window frames. Furthermore, each time we touch a piece of furniture, a wall or some woodwork, we leave behind a bit of natural oil from our skin.

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Learn how to:

Learn how to:

  • Remove dirt and dust from walls

  • Remove wax, soap, grease, oil and mildew

  • Remove grease stains from concrete floors

  • Remove and kill mildew

  • Etch smooth concrete surfaces

  • Eliminate efflorescent salts


 

To remove dust and dirt from walls

To remove dust and dirt from walls

You'll need:

  • Bucket

  • Sponge

  • Dish soap or a cleaner such as TSP (product not sold by Sico)
     

  1. Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap per liter of lukewarm water.
    If you use TSP, add 1/2 cup of TSP per 4 liters of water for heavy-duty cleaning or 1/4 cup of TSP per 4 liters of water for household cleaning.

  2. Rub surface vigorously and start from the bottom to avoid runs.

  3. Rinse with clear water.

     

To remove wax, soap, grease and oil

To remove wax, soap, grease and oil

You'll need:

  • Bucket

  • Sponge

  • TSP (product not sold by Sico).
     

  1. Add 1/2 cup of TSP per 4 liters of water for heavy-duty cleaning or 1/4 cup of TSP per 4 liters of water for household cleaning.

  2. Rub surface vigorously.

  3. Rinse with clear water.

  4. Repeat as needed.

     

Removing and killing mildew

Removing and killing mildew

You'll need

  • Rubber boots and gloves

  • Goggles

  • Bucket

  • Stiff bristle brush

  • Comfortable old clothes

  • Insecticide sprayer

  • Scouring sponge

  • Bleach (product not sold by Sico)

 

  1. Put on rubber gloves.

  2. Pour 1 litre of bleach and 3 litres of warm water into a bucket or an insecticide sprayer.

  3. Apply solution to the surface, starting from the bottom to prevent runs.

  4. Rub surface with a stiff bristle brush or scouring sponge.

  5. Let solution work for 5 to 10 minutes.

  6. Rinse with clean water.


​WARNING: NEVER mix cleaner and bleach directly because the mixture will produce toxic fumes.

Please note: Bleach is a non-flammable product useful for eliminating mould that causes mildew. It bleaches and disinfects, but does not remove grease. To get rid of grease, use TSP (product not sold by Sico). 

 
Remove grease stains from concrete floors

Remove grease stains from concrete floors

You'll need

  • Plastic watering can

  • Broom or long-handled brush

  • Electrical equipment or plastic film to test moisture

  • Muriatic acid (product not sold by Sico)
     

  1. Generously apply product without diluting with plastic watering can.

  2. Vigorously rub surface with a broom or long-handled brush.

  3. Let work for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbling stops.

  4. Rinse with clean water before surface dries.

  5. Repeat until concrete turns rough.

  6. Wait 3 to 5 days before performing moisture test.

  7. Test surface moisture in 4 or 5 locations. Use an electronic instrument or attach plastic (polyethylene) films with masking tape to surface areas to be tested. Leave the plastic films in place three days. After three days, check for any signs of moisture (droplets forming under the plastic films).

  8. If there is no trace of moisture, apply the paint of your choice.

Eliminating efflorescent salts or etching concrete

Eliminating efflorescent salts or etching concrete

You'll need

  • Plastic watering can

  • Broom or long-handled brush

  • Electrical equipment or plastic film to test moisture

  • Muriatic acid (product not sold by Sico) 
     

  1. Generously apply product without diluting with plastic watering can.

  2. Vigorously rub surface with a broom or long-handled brush.

  3. Let product work until bubbling stops.

  4. Rinse with a power washer using clean water before surface dries.

  5. Let surface dry completely.

  6. Wait 3 to 5 days before performing a moisture test.

  7. Test surface moisture in 4 or 5 locations. Use an electronic instrument or attach plastic (polyethylene) films with masking tape to areas to be tested. Leave the plastic films in place three days. After three days, check for any signs of moisture (droplets forming under the plastic films).

  8. If there is no trace of moisture, apply the paint of your choice.
    If painting floors, Sico Floor Paint is a great choice. 

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