Cleaning & Preparation

Cleaning & Preparation Products for Painting & Decorating

At County Building Supplies, we supply cleaning and preparation products for professional painters, decorators, builders and DIY customers. Whether you're preparing walls for painting, removing old finishes or protecting floors and furniture, proper preparation helps achieve a cleaner, longer-lasting finish.

Our range includes sugar soap, white spirit, paint brush cleaners, paint and varnish removers, masking tape, dust sheets and decorating preparation tools from brands including Barrettine and Harris.

Preparing Surfaces Before Painting

Before painting, surfaces should be clean, dry and free from loose paint, dust, grease and other contaminants that could affect adhesion.

Sugar soap is commonly used to clean suitable walls, ceilings and woodwork before decorating, helping remove grease and everyday dirt. Always follow the manufacturer's dilution, rinsing and drying instructions.

Where surfaces have peeling paint or uneven finishes, additional scraping, sanding or filling may be required before applying primer or paint.

White Spirit, Turps Substitute & Brush Cleaners

Choosing the correct cleaning product depends on the paint or coating being used.

• White spirit: Commonly used for cleaning tools after compatible solvent-based paints and coatings.
• Turps substitute: Used for cleaning brushes and equipment with suitable oil-based coatings, according to product instructions.
• Paint brush cleaner: Designed to remove compatible paint residues and help maintain decorating tools.
• Brush restorer: Can help soften or remove dried paint from brushes where the product is suitable for the paint type.

For water-based paints, cleaning with water may be sufficient. Always check the paint and cleaning product instructions before use.

Removing Old Paint & Varnish

Removing damaged or unwanted coatings can help prepare a surface for refinishing. County stocks Barrettine Paint Panther Paint & Varnish Remover for suitable stripping applications.

Before using any paint remover, check that it is compatible with the surface and coating. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and test on a small, inconspicuous area where recommended.

Take additional precautions with older painted surfaces, which may contain lead-based coatings.

Masking Tape, Dust Sheets & Surface Protection

Protecting surrounding areas is an important part of any decorating project. Masking tape helps protect suitable edges and fittings, while dust sheets provide temporary protection for floors and furniture.

County stocks Harris masking tape, polythene dust sheets and cotton dust sheets, alongside cleaning cloths and preparation accessories.

Choose suitable protection for the surface and task, and remove masking tape according to the manufacturer's recommendations to reduce the risk of paint damage or residue.

Need Advice?

Not sure which cleaning or preparation product is right for your decorating project? Visit your local County Building Supplies branch or contact our team for product information and availability.