Polycote

Etch IT

Acid concrete etch (UK) · GB · manufacturer-sourced

Check your container: This countdown is for the Acid concrete etch (UK) variant. Similar-looking versions may have different times.

How long should you leave Polycote Etch IT on before rinsing?

Short answer

Ready to rinse: 5–10 minutes after application.
Strippers, brighteners and surface cleaners

Prep dwell and rinse

Dwell, rinse and dry run before the next coat

  1. Apply the Acid concrete etch (UK) and keep it wet
  2. Let it dwell for the stated time
  3. Rinse and dry before coating

This product’s stated stages Quoted at 73°F

  • Rinse5–10 minutes

Worth noticing: The manufacturer states only one timing here (rinse, 5–10 minutes); nothing else is inferred.

Common mistake: Letting a stripper dry on the surface or skipping the rinse.

Strippers, brighteners and surface cleaners

Treatment safety gate

Elapsed time is only one condition for the next action

Time alone does not clear the next step

Do not exceed a stated maximum; check material compatibility first.

Exact version
Acid concrete etch (UK)
Intended use
concrete floors and pre-coating prep

Time the dwell

When did the product go on?

Stated times

  • Ready to rinse5–10 minutes

From Polycote data sheet · checked 2026-10-25. Anything not listed isn’t stated by the manufacturer.

Manufacturer website: polycote.com

Conditions & fine print
  • Stated conditions: 73°F (23°C)
  • Times depend on temperature, humidity, film or bead thickness and airflow. Follow the current data sheet and label.
  • Temperature range: 41°F to 86°F
  • Region GB. Formulas can differ between countries; check your container.
  • Ready to rinse: Normal application temperature is +5°C to +30°C.
  • Entered from the cited manufacturer documentation. Check the current label for the exact formula and region. Report outdated information
  • Actual results depend on preparation, thickness, ventilation, temperature, humidity, mixing and substrate.

Confirm this is your product

Closely named formulas, colors and regional versions can use different times. Match these details to your container before starting a countdown.

Exact listing
Polycote Etch IT
Variant
Acid concrete etch (UK)
Region
GB
Listed use
concrete floors, pre-coating prep
Timed stages recorded
rinse ready
Source checked
2026-10-25

Documentation: Technical data sheet · Technical data sheet rev. 24/09/2025

Condition attached to the stated time: Normal application temperature is +5°C to +30°C.

About this product

An acid etch with one timed step: 5 to 10 minutes of dwell before rinsing. The sheet gives no drying time before coating.

Using this specific product

Polycote Etch IT is listed here as the Acid concrete etch (UK) version for concrete floors and pre-coating prep. For stripping or cleaning a surface, the useful question is not simply whether the surface looks finished—it is whether the exact next-action milestone shown above has been reached.

Before you start

  • Confirm the package says Acid concrete etch (UK); related versions can use different timing.
  • For concrete floors and pre-coating prep, pay particular attention to surface temperature, how much coating or soil is present and keeping the product wet.
  • Normal application temperature is +5°C to +30°C.

How to check readiness

Check a small test patch before committing to the full dwell and rinse. Use the stated range for this formula; rinse sooner if its directions tell you to stop for irritation.

Avoid this mistake

A longer dwell is not always better; follow the stated maximum and keep the product from drying out.

Keep going

Questions

How long should you leave this product on before rinsing?

Polycote states: The sheet says to allow between 5 and 10 minutes for the acid to penetrate, then rinse thoroughly with water. Conditions: Normal application temperature is +5°C to +30°C.. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.

How long before I rinse Etch IT?

The sheet says 5 to 10 minutes for the acid to penetrate, then rinse thoroughly with water. It gives no wait before coating.

What affects how long this product takes to dry or cure?

Times depend on temperature, humidity, film or bead thickness and airflow. Follow the current data sheet and label. Follow the product label for your conditions.

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