How to Choose the Correct Cleaner Prior to Adhesive Application

How to Choose the Correct Cleaner Prior to Adhesive Application

Proper surface preparation is essential to ensure optimal performance of TEC7 adhesive products and to guarantee a strong, durable bond.

Step 1: Remove as much loose dirt and dust as possible with a brush or cloth.

Step 2: Begin by thoroughly cleaning and degreasing the surface. Select the appropriate cleaner from the options below based on your application requirements.

HP Clean

HP Clean product

Water-based heavy-duty contaminant remover. Ideal for large scale cleaning applications. Can be used in the soap reservoir of a high pressure cleaner.

HP Cleaner is a water based cleaner with an anti-corrosion additive that reduces the risk of rust, which is typical of most water-based cleaners.

Choose HP Clean when…

You need to remove heavy, built-up, or ingrained contamination prior to bonding or sealing, including:

  • Grease and oil
  • Organic contaminants
  • Tar, wax, and bitumen
  • Soiled textiles

HP Clean in use

HP Clean is suitable for cleaning all types of surfaces, including walls, floors, plastics, stone, and wood. It is also ideal for cleaning vehicles, caravans, boats, and more. Additionally, it is perfect for degreasing workpieces before bonding, sealing, welding, or coating, and when a biodegradable cleaner is required.

Use

Cleaning & Degreasing – Normal Soiling

  • Apply HP Clean directly to the dirt or grime (for vertical surfaces, work from bottom to top).
  • Agitate lightly with a cloth or brush.
  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Wipe or allow to dry.

Cleaning & Degreasing – Heavy Soiling

  1. Apply HP Clean generously to the surface.
  2. Allow to penetrate for approximately 5 minutes (depending on the level of contamination).
  3. For vertical surfaces, always work from bottom to top.
  4. On porous or heavily soiled areas, scrub with a semi-hard brush.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  6. Repeat if necessary.

Intensive Cleaning – Oil Stains in Concrete (Deep Penetration Method)

  1. Apply Tec7 Cleaner to the oil stain and allow it to work for a minimum of 5 minutes.
  2. Lightly scrub with a semi-hard brush and reapply Tec7 Cleaner.
  3. Allow to dwell again for at least 5 minutes.
  4. Apply a generous amount of HP Clean and allow it to penetrate for a minimum of 5 minutes.
  5. Scrub lightly with a semi-hard brush.
  6. Reapply HP Clean and allow to dwell.
  7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water using a garden hose or, preferably, a high-pressure cleaner.
  8. Repeat the process if required.

Always test on an inconspicuous area for colour fastness.

Tec7 Cleaner

Tec7 Cleaner product

Start with Tec7 Cleaner if you have heavily soiled contaminants that require removal. Synthetic/solvent-based cleaner – removes synthetic contaminants only (little to no effect on organic contaminants). For surface preparation, finish with Prepare & Finish or Multiclean.

Pro Tip: Always have a can of Tec7 Cleaner and paper towel nearby so any stray X-Tack can be wiped away easily while still wet.

Choose Tec7 Cleaner when…

You require a fast-evaporating, solvent-based cleaner for effective removal of synthetic contaminants prior to bonding or sealing:

  • Removing heavy oils, fingerprints, and surface contamination
  • Degreasing non-porous substrates
  • Preparing metals, plastics, and common construction materials
  • When fast evaporation and no oily film is required
  • When working with light metals where oxidation must be avoided

Tec7 Cleaner is ideal as the initial degreasing step prior to adhesive application. For heavily soiled substrates, first use Tec7 Cleaner, then follow with Prepare & Finish or Multiclean to complete the surface preparation before bonding.

Use

Tec7 Cleaner in use

  • Spray Tec7 Cleaner on the surface that is to be bonded to.
  • Allow Tec7 Cleaner to take effect.
  • Rub off the contaminant with a clean microfibre cloth and dry.
  • Allow Tec7 Cleaner to evaporate completely prior to bonding.
  • If necessary, repeat the process.

Always test on an inconspicuous area for colour fastness.

Pro Tip – Acoustic Panels: If adhesive comes into contact with the face of an acoustic panel: while the Tec7 adhesive is still wet, use the pressure of the Tec7 Cleaner aerosol to flush the adhesive into the panel surface. Spray directly onto the adhesive for a few seconds, allowing the pressure to disperse the adhesive. Using a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel, gently blot (do not rub) the area to absorb the excess Tec7 Cleaner and speed up the drying process. Repeat as necessary. Avoid wiping or rubbing, as this may spread the adhesive or damage the panel finish.

Prepare & Finish

Prepare and Finish product

Perfect for surface preparation prior to bonding and for tooling adhesive and sealant joints. Alcohol-based cleaner featuring bag-on-valve technology, ensuring no propellant is released to dilute the product or emitted into the atmosphere.

Choose Prepare & Finish when…

You need a dual pH neutral cleaner for surface preparation that is safe for use on sensitive surfaces and is also suitable for finishing sealant joints:

  • Removing contamination before sealing
  • Compatible with MS-polymers, silicones, acrylic sealants and PU adhesives
  • Tooling and smoothing sealant joints
  • Working on delicate or unknown surfaces where maximum surface compatibility is required

Prepare & Finish can also be used as a finishing solution when tooling adhesive and sealant joints, helping to create perfectly smooth, closed joints, accelerate adhesive/sealant curing, and reduce the risk of mould growth in sanitary applications for a smooth, professional finish.

Use

Surface Preparation

Prepare and Finish in use

  • Spray the surface. When bonding, treat both surfaces.
  • Leave for 30–60 seconds.
  • Wipe away the contamination with a clean microfibre cloth.
  • Allow to evaporate completely prior to adhesive or sealant application (approx. 1–2 minutes).

Smoothing of Joints

Prepare and Finish smoothing joints

  • Spray Prepare & Finish onto the adhesive or sealant to be finished.
  • Spray the smoothing tool with Prepare & Finish.
  • Smooth the joint removing excess material.

Ensure smoothing is completed before skinning of the adhesive or sealant occurs. When using Tec7 adhesive/sealant products, allow a maximum working time of 5–10 minutes dependent on climatic conditions.

Always test on an inconspicuous area for colour fastness.

Tec7 Multiclean

Tec7 Multiclean in use

Tec7 Multiclean features a unique foaming action powered by advanced emulsifiers and alcohols. Its visible foaming action lifts and draws deep contaminants to the surface, making cleaning quick, effective, and safe. The stable foam clings to vertical, overhead, and smooth surfaces, allowing it to work longer without dripping. Multiclean contains no abrasives, is acid-free, and is safe for use on most materials.

Choose Multiclean when…

You need a foam-based, non-aggressive cleaner suitable for routine cleaning and surface preparation:

  • You’re dealing with everyday grime and want a quick, safe foam clean.
  • You’re prepping for adhesive, sealant, paint, or varnish.
  • You need a safe, powerful cleaner and degreaser that draws deeper contaminants to the surface and is suitable for use in everyday environments — cleaning mirrors, windows, doors, furniture, imitation leather, hard synthetic materials, stainless steel, enamel, plastic, formica, tiles, carpeting, and more.

Use

  • Shake well before use.
  • Spray over the substrate or contaminant.
  • Allow approx. 30 seconds for foam to take effect.
  • Wipe off the contaminant along with the Multiclean foam with a clean microfiber cloth and allow to completely dry/evaporate (approx. 1–2 minutes).

Always test on an inconspicuous area for colour fastness.

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