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ITInterior renovation: which paint stripper, cleaner and primer to use at each stage
A successful interior renovation does not rest on technique alone. It depends just as much on the quality of the products used at each stage. Cleaning the substrate, stripping old paint, treating damp, consolidating fragile surfaces, protecting decorative finishes: every phase calls for a solution suited to the material and the situation.
Unsuitable products, poor adhesion, costly touch-ups, damp damage: preparation mistakes are behind most defects in renovation work. Using the right products from the start gives a better result and reduces the cost of the job.
This guide covers the essential SCALP SAS products for each stage of your interior renovation, from paint stripper to primer, with the advantages of each over traditional methods.
Step 1 - Preparing floors and walls before renovation
Preparing the substrate is the most decisive stage of any renovation. A poorly prepared floor or wall compromises the adhesion of everything applied afterwards: paint, plaster, tiles, floor coverings. Investing time and the right products at this stage avoids costly rework.
SCALP'SOL'NET: concrete floor cleaner for laitance, cement film and grease
New or renovated concrete floors often have a surface laitance that stops coverings bonding. Traditional methods such as hand sanding are slow, leave residue and need several passes.
SCALP SOL’NET combines three complementary actions in a single application:
- Removal of laitance and cement film
- Degreasing of oil and grease marks
- Preparation of the substrate for better adhesion of the floor covering or floor paint
Advantages over conventional methods:
- One application replaces a detergent and a solvent degreaser
- Considerably shorter preparation times
- Surface ready sooner for laying the final covering
Concrete Cleaner & Cement Residue Remover – SCALP SOL’NET
SCALP SOL’NET is a concentrated professional concrete cleaner formulated to remove cement films, laitance, efflorescence and post-construction residues from a wide range of hard surfaces. Designed for demanding cleaning and surface preparation tasks, it rapidly dissolves cement deposits, plaster residue, limescale and salt-based contamination.
Ideal for post-tiling operations and construction site clean-up, this powerful solution eliminates hardened cement build-up — even after several days — restoring surfaces to a clean, ready-to-finish condition.
As a highly effective concrete floor cleaner, SCALP SOL’NET is particularly suitable for preparing floors before coating, painting or sealing, ensuring optimal adhesion and long-lasting results.
Recommended applications include:
- Removal of cement laitance after grouting tiles or slabs
- Cleaning cement films from tiles, ceramics, bricks and concrete blocks
- Elimination of efflorescence and salt deposits
- Degreasing and preparation of concrete surfaces
SCALP AQUA 03: washing down and degreasing walls before painting
Before repainting, walls must be clean, grease-free and free of residue. Washing down with sugar soap and water is tedious and needs thorough rinsing (any soap residue harms paint adhesion), and conventional products often contain aggressive agents (acid, chlorine) that damage uPVC or aluminium surfaces.
SCALP AQUA 03 is a no-rinse, multi-purpose wall cleaner that is gentle on materials. In a single application it cleans, degreases and washes down without causing damage.
Advantages:
- No rinsing: removes a long, awkward step
- Compatible with sensitive surfaces: uPVC, aluminium, fragile plaster finishes
- Prepares the substrate properly for optimum paint adhesion
Professional surface cleaner – SCALP AQUA 03
SCALP AQUA 03 is a high-performance professional surface cleaner developed for washing, degreasing and maintaining synthetic building materials in both interior and exterior environments.
Its ammonia-free, acid-free and chlorine-free formulation makes this multi surface cleaner safe for a wide range of materials, including uPVC, aluminium, zinc, painted surfaces and external cladding.
Designed for efficiency in professional settings, it quickly removes grease, soot, adhesive residues, dust and everyday dirt without the need for rinsing — reducing labour time and improving productivity on site or during renovation projects.
SCALP AQUA 03 can also be applied by drone, providing an effective solution for cleaning façades and hard-to-access surfaces safely and efficiently.
Step 2 - Stripping paint and old coatings
Stripping is an unavoidable step when refurbishing older buildings. It is also often required to comply with regulations, particularly where lead paint is concerned.
SCALPEX AL 23: gel paint stripper for lead, asbestos-containing and silicate paints
Lead, asbestos-containing and silicate paints were commonly used in buildings before the 1980s. Mechanically sanding these paints is dangerous: it generates toxic dust that spreads through the air and exposes workers and occupants to serious health risks.
SCALPEX AL 23 is an alkaline gel stripper that dissolves these hazardous paints without releasing particles into the air.
Advantages over mechanical sanding:
- No dust released: the safety of workers and occupants is preserved
- Often removes several coats of paint in a single application
- Faster and more effective than traditional mechanical techniques
- Recommended for all refurbishment projects where hazardous materials are present
Regulations: lead paint is common in properties built before the 1970s. Under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, employers must assess and control their workers’ exposure to lead during lead paint removal. Any work on asbestos-containing materials falls under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and may require an HSE-licensed contractor.
Professional Lead Paint Stripper – SCALPEX® AL 23
SCALPEX® AL 23 is a professional paint stripper for lead paint and asbestos coatings, specially formulated to provide safe, dust-free removal in compliance with UK building and health regulations. Its water-based gel is ideal for interior walls, staircases, corridors, kitchens, bedrooms, and other confined spaces.
The alkaline gel penetrates deeply, softening multiple layers of lead paint, silicate coatings, and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a single application. Its controlled, progressive action ensures efficient stripping while minimising dust and hazardous fibre release.
SCALPIK DECAP'SEC NW NG: no-rinse liquid paint stripper for joinery
For timber joinery (staircases, panelling, window frames, panels), stripping with sandpaper is slow, physically demanding and risks damaging the detail and mouldings of delicate finishes.
SCALPIK DECAP’SEC NW NG is a no-rinse liquid stripper applied by brush or spray. It quickly removes woodstains, paints, varnishes and adhesives without altering the texture or detail of the timber.
- No rinsing: removes the cleaning step and saves time
- Respects the detail and mouldings of delicate joinery
- Suitable for old timber and complex surfaces
- Easy application: brush or sprayer
No-Rinse Paint Remover for Metal – SCALPIK® DECAP’SEC NW NG
SCALPIK® DECAP'SEC NW NG is a high-performance liquid paint remover for metal and multiple surfaces, designed for rapid and efficient coating removal. It enables fast paint removal on metal, wood, zinc, galvanised steel, stone and concrete, eliminating paints, varnishes, stains and adhesives with minimal effort.
This professional-grade paint stripper for metal and wood is ideal for renovating joinery such as staircases, window frames, shutters, doors, furniture and panels. Its versatile liquid formula can be applied by immersion, spraying or brushing, making it a practical solution for refurbishment and industrial maintenance projects.
Step 3 - Restoring and treating damaged surfaces
SCALP MULTI'RESTOR: multi-purpose filler for timber, metal and plastic
Repairing cracks, holes and irregularities on mixed substrates (timber, metal, plastic) traditionally meant using a different filler for each material, multiplying purchases, drying times and the risk of uneven results.
SCALP MULTI’RESTOR is a two-part polyester resin filler that handles all these substrates in a single application. It fills deep cracks in one pass and resists wear better than conventional fillers.
- One product for timber, iron and plastic: simplifies the job
- Fills deep cracks in a single application
- Smooth, professional finish with no touching up
- Better wear resistance than traditional fillers
Universal repair filler for wood, metal & masonry – SCALP MULTI’RESTOR
SCALP MULTI’RESTOR is an universal repair filler designed for repairing holes, cracks, damaged edges and surface defects across multiple substrates including wood, metal, plastic, polyester and masonry.
This professional two-component repair compound delivers excellent adhesion and fast curing, making it ideal for refurbishment, restoration and maintenance work. It is particularly effective for restoring aged or damaged timber, including filling deep cracks caused by natural wear.
Its smooth, easy-to-apply paste formula ensures durable repairs on both interior and exterior surfaces, providing a strong, sandable finish ready for painting or coating.
SCALP ANTI-SALPÊTRE: preventive treatment for damp walls and efflorescence
Damp is the leading cause of wall deterioration in interior renovation. It causes efflorescence (whitish salt deposits), weakens the substrate, makes paint and wallpaper peel, and encourages mould growth.
Traditional solutions (aggressive chemicals, dehumidification works) are expensive, temporary and need regular maintenance.
SCALP ANTI-SALPÊTRE is a preventive treatment applied directly to plaster, concrete or cement walls before painting or wallpapering. It forms a barrier against rising damp and treats the cause of the salt deposits :
- Long-lasting protection that avoids repeat treatments
- Consolidates substrates weakened by damp
- Invisible once dry, so no change to the appearance of the wall
- Compatible with all types of finish (paint, wallpaper, decorative plaster)
Salt neutraliser & efflorescence treatment – SCALP ANTI-SALPETRE
SCALP ANTI-SALPÊTRE is a professional-grade, triple-action treatment designed to eliminate saltpeter (efflorescence) from walls and prevent it from returning. Its water-repellent, strengthening, and bactericidal formula treats affected mineral surfaces such as brick, concrete, stone, and plaster, restoring structural integrity and preparing walls for long-lasting finishes.
Rising damp and nitrate-rich materials often lead to saltpetre deposits, weakening walls and causing paint, wallpaper, or decorative coatings to fail prematurely. SCALP ANTI-SALPÊTRE targets the root causes by:
- Blocking moisture with water-repellent action
- Reinforcing weakened substrates for long-term durability
- Neutralising nitrifying bacteria and stabilising salts
Ideal for renovation projects or surface preparation, this treatment ensures a stable, durable, and clean wall ready to receive coatings without the risk of flaking or deterioration.
Step 4 - Preparing and protecting wall finishes
SCALP PRIMAFIX: bonding plaster primer for friable, porous substrates
Old plaster or cement substrates are often friable, porous or micro-cracked. Conventional undercoats simply smooth the surface without treating the problem in depth. The result: poor adhesion, peeling, cracks that come back.
SCALP PRIMAFIX is a bonding primer that penetrates the material to harden it, stabilise it and regulate its absorbency. It strengthens the internal cohesion of the substrate and gives better adhesion for every covering applied afterwards (paint, plaster, tiles).
- Works in depth, unlike conventional undercoats that only act on the surface
- Reduces the appearance of micro-cracks
- Improves the adhesion of paint, plaster and tiles
- Ideal for old or damaged plaster and cement substrates
Bonding and consolidating primer for concrete, masonry & plaster – SCALP PRIMAFIX
SCALP PRIMAFIX is a multi-purpose bonding and consolidating primer for porous or weakened substrates such as concrete, mortar, masonry, and mineral plaster. Designed for renovation and construction projects, it reinforces soft, powdery, or brittle surfaces, providing a solid foundation for paint, plaster, coatings, or adhesives.
Its advanced formula creates a chemical bond between layers, consolidating in depth while improving adhesion and surface impermeability. This helps to prevent cracks, improve durability, and extend the life of walls and structures.
SCALP PRIMAFIX is ideal for old, degraded, or highly absorbent substrates, commonly encountered in renovation work, and ensures a uniform and durable finish.
SCALP PROTEC ENDUIT DECO: invisible protection for decorative interior plasters
Decorative plasters (polished plaster, microcement, lime plaster and the like) are delicate, expensive finishes that are particularly sensitive to splashes and stains. Traditional water repellents often change the look of the surface, making it appear darker or glossier.
SCALP PROTECT ENDUIT DECO is a clear, solvent-free water repellent that soaks into decorative surfaces without leaving any visible trace. It resists splashes of water, oil, coffee and wine.
- Completely invisible: keeps the natural look and colour of decorative plasters
- Solvent-free, odourless: ideal for interior spaces
- Resists the main types of splash: water, oil, coffee, wine
- Extends the life of decorative finishes
Stain protection for interior decorative plasters – SCALP PROTEC ENDUIT DECO
SCALP PROTEC ENDUIT DÉCO is an advanced, invisible protective treatment designed to safeguard the beauty and longevity of interior decorative plasters and finishes. Its nanometric formula penetrates deeply into surfaces, forming a microporous barrier that repels liquids like water, oil, coffee, and wine—common causes of permanent stains.
Ideal for polished plaster, tadelakt, lime render, decorative concrete, and heritage wall finishes, this solution maintains the velvety, satin, or matt appearance of the substrate while preventing everyday wear, moisture, and dirt from affecting the surface.
Non-film-forming and easy to apply, SCALP PROTEC ENDUIT DÉCO preserves both texture and aesthetics, making it perfect for interior designers, decorators, craftsmen, and homeowners seeking high-performance stain protection without compromising the finish.
By bringing these SCALP SAS products into your interior renovation projects, you can count on professional results. Clean, prepare, strip, protect: every step becomes simpler, faster and more effective with these high-performance solutions.
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