Nu-EcoSafe Etch - for preparing new or mature concrete pools for pool painting.

Water-Based Surface Prep Etching Compound
Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch is a water-based surface prep etching compound specifically designed to provide a surface profile on green and mature concrete. Etching is often a pre-requisite for the application of high-performance paint/coating systems.
Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch typical uses
Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch, has been proven to effectively etch green and mature concrete and masonry. The depth of etching achieved with Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch is the same as that of hydrochloric or muriatic acid. The residue is easily removed by water rinsing. These products are suitable for treating vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch is suitable for the following projects:
Preparing for pool painting
Sidewalks
Patios
Shop floors
Factory and warehouse floors
Aircraft hangar floors
Residential garages
Driveways
Concrete stairways
Tilt slab walls.
Nu EcoSafe Strip Concrete Etch has the following qualities:
Fast-acting
Will not burn skin on contact
No corrosive fumes like muriatic acid
Will not run or migrate
Clings to vertical and horizontal surfaces
Easy clean up with running water
Non-ozone-depleting
Water-based
Biodegradable
Non-flammable
Contains no TAPs or HAPs (Toxic/Hazardous Air Pollutants)
Will remove most concrete
No muriatic acid
Low odour
Additional Benefits that contribute to Cost-effectiveness:
Reduces man-hours and effort required to complete a project
Reduces the cost of waste disposal
Reduces downtime since other work at the site can continue while safe etching is being conducted
Lowers insurance costs for worker safety and storage hazards.
 
Application Guide
Equipment
Brush or broom application. Plastic watering can, polyurethane sheets, masking tape, gloves and safety glasses.
Preparation
Protect surrounding areas. Ensure the etching area is clean and dry. Optimum surface temperature is 20ºC to 32ºC. Do not etch soft or damaged concrete.
Dilution
Add Nu-EcoSafe Etch to water. Rough stipple finish: 1 part etch to 15 parts water. Steel trowel finish: 1 part etch to 10 parts water. Surfaces hardened or high MPA: 1 part etch to 5 parts water.
Test Area
Test on a small, inconspicuous area. Check time required and dilution rate. Check the suitability of the substrate.
Application
Pour diluted Nu-EcoSafe Etch into a plastic watering can and disperse evenly over the surface. Spread using a nylon brush or broom. Rinse and scrub or high-pressure wash as soon as the required etch is achieved.
Dwell Time
The average dwell time is 15-30 minutes. Check on a test area. Rinse surfaces as soon as required etch is achieved.
Clean Up
Use generous amounts of water. Best results achieved with high-pressure wash.

Why acid etching concrete is important
Often in Nutech guides, you’ll read that one of the steps in surface preparation is liquid etching or acid etching. But what does that mean and why is it important?
Acid etching is the preparation step of applying a liquid acid, creating an etch where the liquid reacts with the concrete surface.
Etching (or washing) concrete with a liquid etch solution opens the pores of the concrete to prepare the surface for the next treatment. This allows the coating to better penetrate and adhere to the surface, providing a better, longer lasting finish. This step is recommended for garages, driveways, foot paths, patios and almost all concrete floors.
Liquid etching of concrete is just one way of prepping a surface. Other ways include shot or sand blasting, but this requires special equipment and qualified contractors. Acid etching is the best method of concrete preparation available on the DIY market.
Acid etching can be tough not only on concrete but also on the surrounding environment. If used incorrectly, it can be harmful to pets, plants and people, with dangerous fumes that can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues. However, not all acid etches are the same, and there are some that are much safer to use.
Environmentally Friendly Acid Etching
Nutech’s Nu-EcoSafe Etch is a water-based compound that is gentle on flora and fauna, but still hard on concrete. Nu-EcoSafe Etch offers the following:
Prior to using an acid etching product like Nu-EcoSafe Etch, it is best to have a clean surface. If the concrete is contaminated with grease or oil, degreasing prior to etching is suggested otherwise the concrete will not etch evenly or adequately. A suitable degreaser like Nu-EcoSafe Degreaser is recommended as this is also a water-based product that is more environmentally friendly than its competitors. Several applications may be required to ensure a clean finish.
Acid etching is a vital part of the preparation process to ensure a perfect finish. Always consult the technical data sheets to ensure you use the correct mixing ratio for your concrete surface