A five-gallon bucket of concrete color lab key etch with a white and orange label, containing product information and safety warnings.

KeyEtch

Series

  • KeyEtch is a family of surface etching products designed to deliver reliable and repeatable profile preparation across a wide range of concrete textures. From subtle surface cleaning to aggressive exposure of stone, the KeyEtch line allows contractors and installers to achieve optimal bonding profiles for overlays, coatings, and sealers. These acid- and sand-based formulations are designed for professional use and are available in multiple grit-equivalent variants to match project-specific surface requirements.

    • Surface prep prior to staining, coating, or sealing

    • Open concrete pores for improved adhesion

    • Create decorative exposure of sand or stone

    • Replace mechanical grinding for light to moderate prep

    • Clean and texture overlays or natural concrete

    • Consistent and predictable surface profiling

    • Eliminates dust from mechanical prep

    • Improves adhesion and bond strength

    • Variant options to match prep standards (CSP ratings)

    • Ideal for themed finishes and pre-seal conditioning

    • Easy to rinse and neutralize

  • Choose from the following KeyEtch formulations based on your desired surface profile:

    KeyEtch 03 – Acid Etch

    • Light acid wash for pore opening and profile cleaning

    • Ideal for polishing prep or light stain penetration

    KeyEtch 05 – Sandblast Etch

    • Mimics the effect of a light sandblasting

    • Ideal for vertical surfaces and overlays

    KeyEtch 15 – Heavy Sand Etch

    • Exposes fine aggregate

    • Ideal for prepping stamped concrete or removing sealers

    KeyEtch 50 – Light Stone Etch

    • Subtle stone exposure with a smooth feel

    • Great for high-end architectural finishes

    KeyEtch 100 – Standard Stone Etch

    • Balanced exposure for general-purpose decorative prep

    • Creates visible profile without deep bite

    KeyEtch 150 – Heavy Stone Etch

    • Deepest exposure in the KeyEtch line

    • Mimics heavy broadcast or grind, ideal for industrial coatings

  • Apply to clean, unsealed concrete surfaces using a sprayer or watering can. Allow product to react for the recommended time (usually 3–10 minutes), then scrub and rinse thoroughly. Always neutralize with ConClean or a pH-balancing rinse. Surface must be dry and neutralized before applying coatings or sealers.

  • Perfect surface prep for Endura Stains, TruHue Enhancers, Acid Stains

    Improves penetration and bond for Aegis Shield and CrystalSeal products

    Recommended neutralizer: ConClean

  • Available in 5 Us. Gal. packaging.

Resources

Download TDS / SDS Packet

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