Ramuc Clean & Prep · Pool paint surface prep
Clean, degrease and etch
in one step.
The prep step for every Ramuc pool paint. It degreases, dissolves mineral deposits and opens up the surface so paint grips, replacing the old TSP, acid etch and TSP routine. It rinses off with a garden hose and is safe near plants and grass.
Ramuc Pool Paint Clean & Prep Solution
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Ramuc Clean & Prep Solution
Ramuc Clean & Prep is the one-step surface prep for painting a pool. It cleans and degreases, dissolves mineral deposits and increases surface porosity so new pool paint bonds properly, replacing the old TSP, acid etch and TSP routine. It rinses off with water, is odour and fume free, biodegradable and safe near plants and grass.
Key Features
- Replaces TSP and acid etching in one step.
- Dissolves mineral deposits and scale at the waterline.
- Improves adhesion by opening up the surface.
- Concentrated: mix with water.
- Also cleans filter cartridges.
Where to Use It
Bare concrete, gunite, marcite and plaster, bare fibreglass, and painted pools. Use it before Ramuc DS, A-2, EP Epoxy or Hi-Build Epoxy. Not for concrete that has been sealed or stained.
Specs & Coverage
| Bare concrete, gunite, marcite, plaster | 1 gal to 2 gal water, about 400 sq ft |
| Painted pools, bare fibreglass | 1 gal to 5 gal water, 600–800 sq ft |
| Filter cartridges | 1 gal to 5 gal hot water, soak 1 hour+ |
| Apply at | 10–29 °C |
Application Guide
- Repair, then power wash off loose material.
- Mix for your surface and apply with a garden sprayer.
- Scrub as soon as it foams. Don't let it sit or dry.
- Triple rinse with a garden hose while scrubbing.
- Condensation test before solvent-based paint.
FAQ
1Do I need to clean and etch my pool before painting?
Yes. Oils, algae, chalk and mineral deposits stop paint from bonding, and Ramuc says poor prep is the surest way to poor performance. Clean & Prep cleans, degreases and opens up the surface in one step.
2Does Clean & Prep replace muriatic acid and TSP?
Yes. It replaces the TSP, acid etch and TSP routine in one step. It rinses off with water, is odour and fume free, and is safe near plants and grass.
3How much Clean & Prep do I need?
Use the calculator above. A 16 × 32 ft pool, 3½ ft at the shallow end and 8 ft at the deep end, has about 1,064 sq ft of walls and floor. Mixed 1 to 2 for bare plaster, a gallon cleans about 400 sq ft, so 3 jugs. Mixed 1 to 5 for a painted or fibreglass pool, a gallon cleans 600–800 sq ft, so 2 jugs.
4Can I use it on a painted or fibreglass pool?
Yes. Use the weaker mix of 1 gallon to 5 gallons of water. It's also fine on bare concrete, gunite, marcite and plaster, but not on concrete that has been sealed or stained.
5Can I rinse it with a power washer?
No. Triple rinse with a garden hose on a strong, steady stream while you scrub. Use the power washer only to remove loose material before you apply it.
6How long after cleaning can I paint?
Once it passes the condensation test: tape clear plastic to the walls and floor, and if there's no condensation underneath after about 4 hours, it's dry. Ramuc DS acrylic can go on a damp (not wet) surface.
7Is it safe to handle?
It contains phosphoric acid, so wear safety goggles, rubber gloves and protective footwear, and keep fresh air moving. Rinse skin with soap and water and flush eyes for 15 minutes.
8Can it clean pool filter cartridges?
Yes. Soak the cartridge in 1 gallon mixed with 5 gallons of hot water for at least an hour, then rinse.
Canada Shipping
- Enjoy free shipping in Canada on orders over $249. Yukon, NWT, Nunavut not included.
Winter Shipping:
- From December to April, shipping outside of Ontario and Quebec is limited.
- Returns accepted within 35 days from the date of delivery.
- Custom tinted paints are classified as Final Sale items and are not eligible for return or store credit.
Pool calculator
How much do I need?
Clean & Prep goes on once, mixed stronger for bare plaster and weaker for a painted or fibreglass pool. We use the low end of Ramuc’s coverage.
Measure inside the pool. For a kidney or freeform pool, use the longest length and the widest width and we’ll treat it like an oval, plus 10% for the curves. Each jug is a concentrate you mix with water in a garden sprayer.
Heads up: based on what you picked in the finder, this isn’t the right paint for your pool. See which one is.
How to use it
Spray, scrub, rinse.
Work at 10–29 °C. Wear goggles, rubber gloves and protective footwear.
- 1RepairFix cracks and hollow spots, then power wash off loose paint.
- 2Mix1 to 2 with water for bare plaster, 1 to 5 for painted or fibreglass.
- 3SprayApply evenly with a garden sprayer.
- 4ScrubAs soon as it foams. Don’t let it sit or dry.
- 5Triple rinseGarden hose, not a power washer, all at once.
- 6Dry & testCondensation test before solvent paints.
Then paint
Made for every Ramuc pool paint.
Not sure which one your pool needs? Each page has a finder that checks what’s on your pool now.
Ramuc DS Acrylic
- Best for
- Acrylic or rubber pools, or bare plaster, when downtime matters.
- From
Ramuc A-2 Rubber
- Best for
- Pools painted with chlorinated or synthetic rubber.
- From
Ramuc EP Epoxy
- Best for
- Epoxy pools, bare plaster, fibreglass, spas and slides.
- From
Ramuc Hi-Build
- Best for
- Aged or rough plaster, fibreglass and spas.
- From
Mixing & specs
The details.
| Bare concrete, gunite, marcite, plaster | 1 gal to 2 gal water. Cleans about 400 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Painted pools, bare fibreglass | 1 gal to 5 gal water. Cleans 600–800 sq ft |
| Filter cartridges | 1 gal to 5 gal hot water. Soak 1 hour or more |
| Apply at | 10–29 °C. Store above 10 °C and don’t let it freeze |
| Not for | Concrete that has been sealed or stained |
| Safety | Contains phosphoric acid. Goggles, rubber gloves and protective footwear |
| Clean-up | Water |
The condensation test
Is it dry enough?
- Tape 2 × 2 ft squares of clear plastic to the deep-end wall, the floor and a few other spots.
- Wait about 4 hours.
- Condensation underneath? It’s not dry. Wait 24 hours and test again.
- Dry under every square? Go ahead with epoxy or rubber paint.
- Painting with Ramuc DS? It goes on a damp (not wet) surface, so you can start sooner.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Do I need to clean and etch my pool before painting?
Yes. Oils, algae, chalk and mineral deposits stop paint from bonding, and Ramuc says poor prep is the surest way to poor performance. Clean & Prep cleans, degreases and opens up the surface in one step.
Does Clean & Prep replace muriatic acid and TSP?
Yes. It replaces the TSP, acid etch and TSP routine in one step. It rinses off with water, is odour and fume free, and is safe near plants and grass.
How much Clean & Prep do I need?
Use the calculator above. A 16 × 32 ft pool, 3½ ft at the shallow end and 8 ft at the deep end, has about 1,064 sq ft of walls and floor. Mixed 1 to 2 for bare plaster, a gallon cleans about 400 sq ft, so 3 jugs. Mixed 1 to 5 for a painted or fibreglass pool, a gallon cleans 600–800 sq ft, so 2 jugs.
Can I use it on a painted or fibreglass pool?
Yes. Use the weaker mix of 1 gallon to 5 gallons of water. It's also fine on bare concrete, gunite, marcite and plaster, but not on concrete that has been sealed or stained.
Can I rinse it with a power washer?
No. Triple rinse with a garden hose on a strong, steady stream while you scrub. Use the power washer only to remove loose material before you apply it.
How long after cleaning can I paint?
Once it passes the condensation test: tape clear plastic to the walls and floor, and if there's no condensation underneath after about 4 hours, it's dry. Ramuc DS acrylic can go on a damp (not wet) surface.
Is it safe to handle?
It contains phosphoric acid, so wear safety goggles, rubber gloves and protective footwear, and keep fresh air moving. Rinse skin with soap and water and flush eyes for 15 minutes.
Can it clean pool filter cartridges?
Yes. Soak the cartridge in 1 gallon mixed with 5 gallons of hot water for at least an hour, then rinse.
Do you ship, or can I pick up?
We ship across Canada, free on most orders over $249. Pick-up is free at our Rockwood Village store, 1292 Eglinton Ave. E, Mississauga, and most orders are ready within 4 hours.
Prep it right the first time.
Not sure what’s on your pool or how to prep it? Send us a photo and ask our team.
