Cleaning & Protection

Cleaning & Protection — Prep Right, Paint Better

Great paintwork starts well before the first coat. Our Cleaning & Protection range brings together professional-grade cleaners, degreasers, strippers, tapes and sealers to help you prepare every surface properly and protect adjacent areas while you work. Whether you’re washing down exteriors, de-glossing trims, sealing porous stone or masking up delicate interiors, you’ll find the right product here to get durable, high-quality results.

Shop the Cleaning & Protection Range

• Sure Seal Ezy-As-123 Water-Based Sealer — Universal penetrating sealer for masonry, tile and stone; helps resist water and stains prior to painting or grouting.
• Sure Seal Grout, Tile & Stone Cleaner — Heavy-duty detergent action to lift grime, soap scum and residues before sealing or recoating wet areas.
• Nutech Nu-EcoSafe Graffiti Remover — Biodegradable, high-performance remover for aerosol paint and marker on masonry, metal and many coated surfaces.
• Nu-EcoSafe Industrial Degreaser — Tackles oil, grease and workshop residues on driveways, walls and floors; ideal pre-paint degrease.
• Nu-EcoSafe Strip (Industrial/Sacrificial Stripper) — Powerful stripper for difficult coatings and build-ups when you need to return substrates to bare.
• Nu-EcoSafe Architectural Paint Stripper — Targeted coating removal for architectural substrates where you need control and less mess.
• Gloss-Off Pre-Paint Surface Preparation — Liquid de-glosser/scuff alternative for trims, doors and cabinetry; improves adhesion without heavy sanding.
• Krud Kutter House Wash — Fast exterior wash-down to remove dirt, chalking and mildew stains before priming and painting.
• iQuip iGecko Japanese Washi Tape — Ultra-clean lines for interiors; low-tack, crisp release on delicate substrates.
• iQuip Envo Tape — Delicate Purple — Designed for fresh paint, wallpapers and sensitive surfaces; reduces pull-off and tear.
• iQuip Blue Painter’s Tape — The everyday masking staple for walls, trims and frames; reliable adhesion, clean removal.
• Finesse Mineral Turps — Versatile solvent for cleaning equipment and thinning where specified; ideal final clean of oil-based splatters.
• Graffiti Remover — A quick-acting remover option for common tagging mediums on a variety of surfaces.

Availability may vary by store. Check product pages for usage and safety directions.

Why Choose Paintworld for Cleaning & Protection?

• Curated for results — Everything you need to clean, prep, protect and mask, chosen by paint specialists.
• Surface-safe options — From low-tack washi tapes to biodegradable removers, reduce risk to sensitive substrates.
• Trade-ready performance — High-coverage cleaners and reliable tapes that save time and rework.
• End-to-end support — Ask our team for the right pairing of cleaner, sealer, primer and topcoat for your substrate.

How to Choose the Right Cleaning & Protection Products

Before you paint (surface prep):

• Wash exteriors: Start with Krud Kutter House Wash to remove dirt, chalk and mildew staining.
• Degrease problem areas: Use Nu-EcoSafe Industrial Degreaser where oils and traffic film persist (garages, kitchens, workshops).
• De-gloss trims and cabinetry: Apply Gloss-Off to etched or previously glossy surfaces to boost primer adhesion.
• Remove old coatings where required: Choose Nu-EcoSafe Architectural Paint Stripper for architectural substrates, or Nu-EcoSafe Strip for multi-layer/industrial build-ups.

Protect adjacent surfaces (during painting):

• Mask accurately: Pick iQuip iGecko Japanese Washi Tape for delicate interiors or iQuip Blue Painter’s Tape for general masking; use Envo Delicate Purple on fresh paint and wallpapers.
• Seal porous stone/tile: Apply Sure Seal Ezy-As-123 Water-Based Sealer before painting nearby surfaces to reduce suction and staining.

Specialty clean-ups (after or between coats):

• Tackle graffiti and stubborn marks: Use Nutech Nu-EcoSafe Graffiti Remover or Graffiti Remover as appropriate to the substrate.
• Solvent clean-up: Finish with Finesse Mineral Turps to clean oil-based drips and tools where compatible.

Pro Tips for Better Prep and Protection

• Test first: Always patch-test cleaners, strippers and tapes on an inconspicuous area.
• Work from clean to coated: Wash, degrease and de-gloss before you mask; masking over contaminants reduces adhesion and line quality.
• Mind dwell times: Strippers and heavy cleaners need the stated dwell to work effectively—don’t rush the lift.
• Tape selection matters: Use low-tack tapes (washi/delicate) on sensitive or freshly painted surfaces; standard blue tape on sound, cured paint.
• Seal porous areas early: Sealing stone/tile before painting nearby surfaces reduces edge bleeding and staining.
• Ventilation & PPE: Follow label PPE guidance and ventilate well for all cleaning and stripping tasks.

FAQs — Cleaning & Protection

Q1. Do I need to wash exterior walls if they look clean?

A. Yes. Dust, chalking and invisible contaminants can prevent primers and paints from bonding. An exterior wash such as Krud Kutter House Wash creates a clean, sound base.

Q2. What’s the difference between washi tape, delicate purple tape and blue painter’s tape?

A. Washi and Delicate Purple are lower-tack for sensitive surfaces and crisp interior lines. Blue Painter’s Tape is a general all-rounder for cured paint, trims and frames.

Q3. When should I use a de-glosser instead of sanding?

A. Gloss-Off is helpful on detailed trims, profiles and cabinets where sanding is time-consuming or risks cutting through edges. It promotes adhesion before priming.

Q4. Can I seal stone or tiles before painting nearby areas?

A. Yes. A penetrating sealer like Sure Seal Ezy-As-123 helps resist water and staining and makes masking and wipe-downs easier.

Q5. How do I decide between Architectural Paint Stripper and the Industrial/Sacrificial Stripper?

A. Use Architectural for typical building substrates where control and finish matter; use Industrial/Sacrificial for multiple layers, heavy coatings or where you plan to recoat from bare.

Q6. What should I use for oil stains before painting floors or driveways?

A. Start with Nu-EcoSafe Industrial Degreaser. Removing oil contamination is critical for adhesion of floor primers and coatings.

Q7. Is graffiti remover safe on all surfaces?

A. Always check the label and test a small area. Nu-EcoSafe Graffiti Remover is formulated for a wide range of substrates, but dwell time and agitation should be adjusted to the surface.

Q8. When should I use mineral turps?

A. Finesse Mineral Turps is suitable for cleaning equipment and oil-based drips where compatible. Follow the coating manufacturer’s guidance for thinning and clean-up.

Shop Cleaning & Protection at Paintworld

Equip your project with the right Cleaning & Protection products—from first wash to final clean-up. Explore the full range above and order online for fast delivery or click & collect.